Once you have selected an event, consider how you might structure your story to make it compelling. To do this, first create a quick sketch or outline of what happened during the event. Sketch out the moments in simple, chronological order. You can fill in details and revise later.
Once you have a quick sketch of the event, use the following questions and advice to help you put your ideas in writing. (Some writers may prefer to work out the dramatic structure of the story before developing the key moments. If that is true of you, move on to the next section, “Organize your story to enhance the drama,” and come back to this section later on.)
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Ways In WHAT DOES MY STORY NEED? |
HOW CAN I INTEREST READERS? |
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Compare your story sketch with the dramatic arc in Figure 2.1: Sketch out the backstory, or exposition, your readers will need to understand what happened.
Practice writing the “inciting incident,” the conflict that triggers the story. To dramatize it, try using narrative actions and dialogue, including speaker tags and quotation marks. A black Buick was moving toward us down the street. We all spread out, banged together some regular snowballs, took aim, and, when the Buick drew nigh, fired. (Dillard, par. 7) “I’m going to the cave, ” I declared and marched down the path to check out its mouth. (Ruprecht, par. 2) Dramatize the moment of surprise, confrontation, crisis, or discovery that may become the climax of your story, using narrative action and dialogue. He chased us through the backyard labyrinths of ten blocks before he caught us by our jackets. He caught us and we all stopped. . . . “You stupid kids,” he began perfunctorily. (Dillard, pars. 15, 18) Augment your memory by asking people who were there what they remember; look through family photographs, yearbooks, e-mails, or videos, and write briefly about what you found: A snapshot taken that Monday on our high school’s front lawn (seen here) shows the two of us lying side by side, shirts lifted to display the tributes in black marker. (Desmond-Harris, par. 6) |
Analyze your audience: Consider who will be reading your story and what aspect of the story they will find most interesting. Often, it’s the conflict, but it could be the setting or the activity you were taking part in. Pick a moment in your story that you think might hook readers, such as a bit of dialogue or an inciting incident, and try writing about that moment. My private musings on identity and belonging—not original in the least, but novel to me—were interrupted when my mom heard me slam the front door and drop my bags: “Your friend died!” she called out from another room. Confused silence. “You know, that rapper you and The a love so much!” (Desmond-Harris, par. 2) As an alternative, practice opening your story with an observation that connects with your theme or your motives at the time, as Ruprecht does. It’s impossible to look cool when you’re part of a tour group. (Ruprecht, par. 1) Or practice opening with exposition, as Dillard does. Some boys taught me to play football. (Dillard, par. 1) Experiment with ways to end your story so that the ending refers to something from the beginning—repetition with a difference. Instead of bravely exploring on yourown, you’ve chosen to be led around like a frightened kindergartner. (Ruprecht,par. 1) The rest of the day I walked around with a happy smile, like the proudest little kindergartner you’ve ever seen. (Ruprecht, par. 10) |
Prep. phrase
Action verbs