Pencil to Paper, Stories Galore

When you were a child, what kind of stories did you hear about? Perhaps it was about how your parents met. Maybe it’s a fictional tale read from a storybook or a true story that’s been passed down from generation to generation. Because our modern society runs at such a fast pace, time is limited and time for personal enjoyment is stunted. Tell me, when was the last time you’ve actually sat down to read a book or write a short story?Thinking of writing a story for break time? Here are four easy steps to write it out!1. Develop an ideaThis one’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? Having an idea about WHAT to write is crucial, especially because it creates the main basis of your story and what you want to convey to future readers. Think about it - what do you want people to comprehend when they pick up your book, flip through its pages, and glance over the words?  2. Flesh it outYou’ve made the skeleton, now fill it with substance! Branch out from the main idea and create connections, expanding on one thing or perhaps adding on to something else. What’s important to keep in mind is the general structure for stories, which includes setting the scene, rising action, the climax, the falling action, and last but not least, the resolution. Of course, not all writers (professional or not) follow this format, some deviating from the rigid system to develop their own way of organization.  3. Look for other inspirationInspiration does not always have to originate from the author themselves. The most notable form of influence often comes from others, whether it’d be as a concept for a character or an important plot point (or plot twist) that leads to your climax. Sometimes you can gain more from talking to one other person than relying on just your own imagination!4. Write it out and share it with othersThere’s only one more step to this short and easy process! Write down your story and let your hand guide your words and storyline. Don’t worry about grammatical issues or adding enough detail; jot down what comes to mind and worry about that later. Once you’re finished with writing things down, have a look over it and correct your mistakes. If you want closure from an outside source, have a friend or two read through it as well. I’m sure there’ll be someone who’s willing to be a beta reader for your story. You never know the impact of a single story. So why don’t you sit down and have a go at storytelling yourself?