Writing the First Draft of a Story
Combining the basic elements of a story
A map to a place isn't the place, and your story map is not a story, yet. How do you turn a story map into a bursting-with-life tale? Here are some tips:
Making the Plot Move Along
A good beginning for a story hooks the reader's attention right away. You might start in the middle of an action--a burglar coming through the window, for example. Or you might describe the dark night and lonely street to set the mood.
In the middle of the story, keep your audience guessing. Make every event open up a possibility, create a surprise, or lead to the high point. What happens when Jowela sees the burglar? Don't let her stop to play a video game!
After your strong high point, make sure the ending is satisfying. Solve the problem but alwo tie up any loose ends. If Jowela traps the burglar and the police come, the conflict is over. But don't leave the burglar trapped in the shower stall. Get her out before Jowela and the police say good night.
First lines should light a candle and invite the reader into the book. They should offer the reader a glass of sweet tea and tell them to sit down and enjoy themselves. That's what you should do as a writer. You need to hook them with your first line.
Making Your Characters Seem Real
You've learned that specific details make lifeless characters into lively ones. Here are three good ways to use details.
Give clear descriptions of appearance. Don't say "She dressed oddly" when you can say "She wore purple felt overalls, green high-heeled sneakers, and a bright red cape."
Make actions specific. You could say "He sat down in his chair." But readers would know this character much better if "He plopped down in the big recliner, dangling his legs over the arm."
Use dialogue. A summary of speech like "He refused ot do it" will move action along. But dialoge--a character's own words--can also reveal emotion and personality. Use fragments, contractions, and slang if they're right for the character. "No way! Are you nuts? I wouldn't call her if she was Queen of the World."
With a partner, create dialogues for the characters in the following situations. Try to make the dialogue natural--like real speech. Present your dialogues to another partner group. Then ask for feedback about whether you sound real--why or why not.
An elderly woman calls the police to report that her cat is up in a tree. The police officer tries to convince her that her cat will be okay.
Two teenage boys try to decide how to spend the afternoon. Should they go to the mall or to the ice skating rink?
"The Dinner Party" has vivid descriptions, great suspense, and a surprise ending. It even has a serious message about mistaken ideas about women. It's polished and professional. But even if your story doesn't have all these elements, it can be just as entertaining.
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