Good story-planning technique?

Question

Hi. I was just wondering if anybody had a good way to plan stories as I never get very far in writing one, as I don't really plan.

Answer 1

First think of something to write your story about. It doesn't have to be complicated - it could just be two words, like "magic ring." Immediately jot it down in a notebook. Then start designing characters - drawing them, creating their backgrounds, personalities. Design the setting - where is the story taking place? When?

Think about what this has to do with your original idea, then think through the plot. Write down key events, but you don't have to order them yet. Don't elaborate, keep it simple. There's plenty of time.

Here's what I do: if a good phrase enters my head, wherever I am I write it down. Many a plot has been elaborated by a single phrase that sounds good.

Overall, don't rush it. Don't jump in too fast. Make sure you know, or at least have a sense of, what is going to happen before you begin writing. And don't start with Chapter One. I guarantee you before it is over you will have reordered everything that happens in the story. If you need to, start with the climax and work backwards! Just reorder it later.

That's all from me. Good luck writing!

Answer 2

Wow, I'm going back in time for this one...

Yes, it is a good idea to think about it a little bit.

All stories have three main elements:

1) Character(s)- the people who take part in the plot.

2)Setting- Where the story takes place.

3)Plot- What happens in the story.

Try to map out these three elements, brainstorm them in a spiderchart.

Describe your character:

Appearance- face, expression, clothes, height, weight, build, movement, gesture

Personality- actions/behaviour

Speech- what they say, how they speak, accent

Background- where they live, lifestyle, past, family, upbringing.

Describe your setting:

Is it busy, or quiet?

What time of day is it?

What's the light like?

Think about landscape, climate, weather, noises...

Finally, think about the plot- as you already know, plot's have a begining, middle and end, but you may want to get more complex than that! Don't get too complex at this point, a couple of sentences or paragraphs will do. Give yourself a starting point.

It is also helpful to think about the meaning of story or theme, and your own personal reactions to it.

Consider who is telling the story, the tone (comical, sad), how many narratives there are, is it in first person or third person and so on. Work out what is going to happen before you write.

This is fairly basic advice but it should set you thinking and give you a structure to work with!

Answer 3

You could try a story board - it doesn't have to be fantastically arty - just a few boxes with ideas and plots written in each one.

Alternatively write a list of characters and notes about each one's role in the story - then plan where they fit in by breaking story into beginning - middle - end

Hope that helps get you underway

Answer 4

I can't really give you a sure fire way of planning a story but my one piece of advice is when you do write never discard anything you come up with - ever. Also don't try and edit what you have written straight away - leave it for a few days, don't become bogged down in making changes when you could be progressing your story.

Personally, I try to write at least 1000 words a day and it doesn't have to be fantastic it just gets you into that discipline of writing. What you will find though is that once you get into this habit that you WILL produce some great work and it's better to get those ideas out onto paper than letting them destroy themselves bouncing around in your head.

Good luck and I hope you find encouragement (and success.)