Great stories come from the minds of everyday people. Life experiences and our senses give us all the tools we need to tell a story. The art of storytelling has been around for centuries. Long before books were written. Long before illustrations and neatly designed graphics gave us visuals. And long before technology gave us film. The truth is, not much has changed with the way our minds expect the story to unfold. Our brains are engineered to look for a beginning, a middle and an end.
Whether it is a frightening horror story. Or a romantic and tender love story between two young adults. The one thing that never changes is the set up.
THE STORY ARC.
There are tons of information on story craft. Take a moment in your burgeoning career to examine the structure of story. It is more than words to paper. The better the story arc, the more engaged the reader will be. Your understanding of this is crucial to your success.
No matter what the story is about, there is still a path that sets the stage for the human mind to follow. We are hard wired to perceive information in sequence, that we can then process. The backbone of all story is the three-act set up.
The beginning.
The middle.
And the end.
iniIt is manageable. Comprehendible. And if done correctly, this knowledge will help you deliver a compelling and enjoyable read. Readers are sophisticated enough to look for this even though they are not consciously aware that they are. It’s all very simple for them. They get a book. They read it. And a verdict is rendered on whether the story delivered or not. Throwing out personal biases and interests, a delivered story still holds up for most readers as a “good” read. As long as you follow story arc and apply the right cover and blurb, your story should resonate with your audience. The beauty in this is it is a lesson that can be learned. You can hone in your skills and reach more readers. in
As the author, you create what you want your reader to experience. This is where you can shine. There are no rules that outline the best way to achieve a superbly told story. The beginning, middle and ending is whatever you make it. Your ending could even become your beginning.
Instead of starting out slow and building momentum towards the ending, reverse it. Start the story with a beginning plot that is typically reserved for the end. Instead of the character being arrested in the end, arrest them in the beginning. Then show your reader what the character did that led to the arrest.
The human mind loves adventure. Readers crave something uncommon as long as the story still follows a comprehendible path. Be original. Imaginative. This is your world. Your story. There really are no rules as long as you still give a beginning, middle and ending that satisfies.
But even with all the tricks of the trade, a well plotted story can still get stalled. The famous “marathon in the middle” that writers use to describe being trapped within the words at the mid-point of your story, is every bit a reality. But don’t fret. This is the spot where writers often take a break. And for good reason. A break from the writing and taking that much needed break is often all that’s needed to fuel your mind. The story is there. You know what happens even if it’s not crystal clear. We all get stumped. That’s your analytical mind trying to break in on your creative thoughts. Don’t over analyze it. You are clever enough to create what will happen.
Take a break and get some fresh air. Listen to a favorite musician or grab a cup of tea. When you return think about the protagonist.
What was the end goal?
How do they get there?
How will the other characters help him or her achieve it?
How does the opposition try to stop them from reaching that end goal?
There are things in the story that need to be there in order for your protagonist to finish that journey. Happy ending or not, each page should be an advancement towards what you had in mind when you created it. Take your time. It will come to you. This is not you telling a story, this is your mind creating one. So be open and fearless in your path. Be true to your art. Now go write that story!
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