1)
Start with an idea, or start with a
character. (Science fiction and fantasy often starts with an idea.) The idea or
character must be fresh. The idea should involve a problem. Avoid clichés.
2)
Begin the story with a hook, with
the hero already in the grip of the problem. State the hero’s problem early:
in a novel, you have the luxury of the first few pages in which to make the
hero’s problem clear; in a short-story, much less time (on the first page, if
not the first paragraph or sentence).
3)
Next, invent a character whom this
specific problem would challenge. Who would hurt the most in this situation?
Make them suffer. Make their pain drive them to action to fix the
problem. (If you begin with a character, let the personal history suggest a
problematic situation that would test her specifically.)
4)
Plan out the events—the plot—the
scenes that show the characters working out the problem. Think of complications
(some of them resulting as consequences of the hero’s actions). How does the
problem get worse? (Mistakes and misunderstandings? Time running out?)
5)
Make setting, back story, dialogue,
action, etc., advance the plot (the hero getting herself out of the
problem). Omit everything that doesn’t advance the plot.
6)
Write in scenes, fully presented in
concrete detail, using all five senses.
Keep the action onstage, as in a play.
7)
When the hero solves her problem
(wins or loses) the story is over.
8)
Then, revise:
a.
Improve story structure (the
order the scenes are presented).
b.
Add more senses.
c.
Add more interesting “beats.”
d.
Add more details of
characterization and setting. (Look for the precise, surprising detail.)
e.
Tighten.
Get rid of needless words, passive constructions, weak
verbs, too many adverbs and adjectives, anything that doesn’t move the story
forward. (The recycle bin is the writer’s best friend.)
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