Structuring a Story

Today, to begin class, please log on to our forum. Post a comment in the Craft of Writing folder for Short Story Collection #1, and answer the question posed there. Your reply should be completed by the end of today's class.

Many of you have not yet completed the following assignments:

• 1. The baseline fiction short story.
• 2. The short story draft for the chapter: Ideas For Fiction
• 3. The two short story sheets from short stories you have read from your collection.

To those of you who have completed this work, thank you. We are currently writing fiction stories. For each new story you write, you will be gaining skill in writing fiction. All drafts of your stories should be printed out and saved in your portfolio. I have asked for no revisions at this time, but we will be getting there soon.

Writers use a variety of techniques to structure their stories. Take a look at these 8 options, choose one that you haven't used before, and use the technique to write a new story. Genre and length is up to you.

1. Write your story with a beginning, middle, and end. In the beginning, define what your protagonist wants and why he wants it. In the middle, create obstacles the protagonist must overcome in order to accomplish his goal. In the end, resolve the situation in a believable or logical way.

2. Work organically. Make a few notes about your character(s) and scenes. Decide what you want your story to be about and begin writing. Allow one situation to lead to the next. Start by putting your protagonist in a situation and complication, then write until you are stuck or come to a stopping point. Stop to analyze what your character is thinking, doing, or wanting to do. Stay open to a character's choices. Listen to your characters. Put yourself in their shoes, minds, etc. Let them come up with a solution to their main problem or situation.

3. Start a story with your protagonist in a specific scene. Write only this scene. When done consider what the logical sequel to this scene is. Write the sequel as a scene. Then continue to write scenes and sequels until you have a coherent story. Sometimes it's helpful to work from action to action. Try to pull the reader into the next scene by planting a hook, using suspense, or promising more to come.

4. Create an outline of your plot first. Break down the plot scene by scene. What events occur and in what logical order? Write these down as a standard outline. Then place your protagonist in the outline, write the scene as you envisioned it, and keep writing step by step until the entire story is resolved. This form often is useful to writers of the mystery genre. ALTERNATIVE: you can write backwards as well. Start with the ending and write an outline going backwards.

5. Create a visual map or story board of your story. Break down your scenes in images. Include your protagonist and write from your drawings. You may find it useful to use the drawings as "key" moments in your story. Write until you arrive at one of these key moments, then select the next picture or visual and write toward that. Continue until you are done.

6. Write your scenes on 3x5 cards and arrange them on a wall or table or desk. Change the cards around, adding some, tossing out others, until you are satisfied with the arrangement of the plot.

7. Use the standard story structure: create a hook, inciting incident, include exposition, create rising action, rise to a crisis, reach a climax, include falling action, find a resolution or denouement.

8. Mix-n-Match. You may complete any of these techniques to create a story. You may also make up your own path. Creativity has no boundaries. Just write...

IN THE LAB: Use one of these techniques to structure a story (pick one you never or haven't used before), choose a specific genre (take a look at your brochures for options), and write a new draft of a new story. Use any techniques discussed so far in class to come up with an idea (the first step in the writing process).

HOMEWORK: Please read the chapter on Character. In your journal, complete one of the exercises in the chapter. If this creates a draft of a story, please write that and put it in your portfolio.