A story
plan is the first step in writing fiction.
A story plan will be a sketch and is for
planning purposes. One way to get started is to think of a real incident that
you or someone you know has experienced. Base your story plan on that incident,
but change anything you wish if it makes your story more interesting or
exciting.
Consider
the following elements when you begin your story plan. You can skip around if
you wish, but be sure to complete all the steps below.
Decide
on the characters.
Name the characters and describe their role in the story and their relationship
to one another. For example: Marie Martin, heroine, secretary to the president
of the bank. (If you are not ready to use names, just use descriptions:
librarian, doctor, etc.)
Choose
a setting. Decide
when and where the events will take place. Be as specific as you can because
that will help you when you begin your research. (For example: the South in the
60’s vs. Birmingham, Alabama in 1965.)
Decide on the main conflict in the
story. What is the problem that your
main character faces when the story begins? (For example: Marie Martin has been
accused of stealing money from the bank?)
Decide
on a series of events in the plot.
Briefly describe what happens in a few sentences. (You can add to these,
subtract from these, and rearrange these later.)
Determine
the climax of the story.
Describe the moment in the story after which nothing will be the same.
Determine the resolution of the story. What happens at the very end
when the loose ends are tied up? (Some writers
determine the ending first and work
backwards from there.)
Here's hoping 2013 is off to a great start!
