Our imaginations are vast but when it comes down to giving word to our thoughts it becomes hard. I found this aspect hard because I truly did not understand what I was doing. Whenever I completed a story or poem, I would go over it and find it lacking. Or feel as though something was amiss. Then I decided to stop and take a break.
I went through multiple courses and read. Read far more than I ever did. We learn the alphabets then we learn the words but that’s about it. Putting those words together and having them make sense is something entirely different I feel.
Here are the 4 important aspects I have learnt about writing:
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Plot
All our stories being with the “Once upon a time…” and then go onto a fantastical journey with princes, princesses, and dragons. But that’s what they are, stories.
Its good to have a story, but that’s not enough when it comes down to writing. When we are writing we need a plot. The mistake that I kept making was mixing up what a plot and story meant. This is a common mistake that we make.
A plot tells us what caused us to go from situation A to situation B.
In a nutshell we can say that a story is when we write: X happened and then Y happened.
A plot is when we write: X happened therefore Y happened.
There should be a causal effect, a connection.
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Character
A good character acts as a steady backbone to our plot. Essentially a character is means of driving your plot forward.
Our characters crop up from the most mysterious of places. They can stem from our imagination or could even be built from our observation. Inspiration strikes when we least expect it. Our characters could also be someone we know in real life.
The main way to build a good character is from observation and empathy. Observe what is around you and take what is necessary. Empathize. A bad guy does not know he is bad. In his mind he is completely justified in what he does.
Easiest rule to follow is: Hear, see, and select.
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Dialogue
Dialogue directs the plot. We end up going around the background and setting so much that we essentially forget the dialogue.
Dialogue is the easiest way to show your readers what is happening. Don’t tell your readers what is happening. Show them.
Make sure your dialogue leads to a rising action, anything else is unnecessary.
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Setting and Description
A plot cannot take off without proper setting. We can’t make the character interact if we do not provide the appropriate setting.
A setting essentially means we are providing the time, place, and environment.
When we provide the time, we also provide the social and cultural interaction points for our character too.
A setting goes hand in hand with the description. Since, the description is what will allow us to explain the setting.
Keeping it simple is what matters. Remember, show, don’t tell. Basic sensory is what we will use to best describe our setting. This allows the reader to quickly understand and immediately be immersed within the surroundings.
Hopefully these 4 aspects will be helpful for you to understand the basics of writing. Remember at the end of the day it is your story. Be as creative as you can. Have fun with it. This is what I have learnt. As long as you enjoy your work, nothing else matters. Keep on writing!
