How to Tell a Story?

How to tell a story?

Apparently, a simple question but in reality, it is pretty complicated. It is not just about reading a lot and then scribbling words on paper.

No. not that simple. Some people are naturally inclined to write a detailed description with extremely heavy words and actually with no real flow in the story.

Know that the story is not just writing words and expressing the emotions. Story writing is only effective if you can engage your readers. Storytelling is an art, which is not that hard to master. You just need to focus and practice.

Keep in mind the following tips to create a better scenario for your story.

1. Create the scenes which revolve around the struggle of the character rather than the success stories. People can easily relate to the effort, struggle, and efforts whether it’s physical or emotional. Keep it real and develop scenes accordingly.
2. Put yourself in the shoes of the audience/readers. What fascinates you as a writer might be very boring for an audience. Think about and plan accordingly.
3. Yes, you have to make a plan. Yes, you have to write it to clearly grasp the ending. Once you finished your first draft, re-read and re-write if necessary. Do not just leave it hanging in the mid-air.
4. Simplify the story. No one likes complicated stuff. Experiment around. Focus on different characters. Do not tell everything. Just show in a simplified but interesting manner.
5. Create challenges for your characters. Decide and plan what your characters like and feel comfortable about. Now throw all the hardships, opposites and complexities at them and see how they react and cope with the problems to reach their final destination. Challenge them and see how they react.
6. While planning out the details, always think about the endings. The clear endings help in deciding the pace of your whole story. It helps you to clearly spread out the action, events, and consequences.
7. If you get stuck at any point in writing, just stop and ponder. Think about all the possible points that you would never do in the next story. This strategy most of the times help in clarifying the confusion.
8. Every story that you have read and loved, can be a great source for your next project. Specifically, highlight the areas which are your favourites. These points can easily guide you to write your own story in a better way.
9. Think of all the possible consequences to the actions in your stories. Think and cross out your first, second, third, fourth and as many options possible; till you are left with a unique idea. Surprise yourself.
10. Chalk out your characters with strong opinions. No need to make them sweet and adjustable to any situation. Make them strong and highly opinionated.
11. Put yourself in the shoes of your character and think about how you would react in a certain situation. Honestly felt emotions/circumstances can lead to credible and unbelievable situations
12. Be sure about the stakes in front of your character. Why some decisions/actions are vital for him? Why does he need to succeed?
13. If you are not happy with the end product, do not throw it in the dustbin. It will come back to you in surprisingly different shape sometime in the future. So always keep your drafts with you.
14. Use ‘coincidences’ to make your characters more versatile. Use them to put your characters in troubles and not to have solutions.
15. One best approach to practice developing a good story is to study and analyze the movie you dislike. What makes it bad for you? How can you improve it? What changes need to be done to make it effective?

So, you see! It’s all about planning and crafting your story carefully

What is Pain/Sorrow?

It is a condition where you feel overwhelmed. At times it becomes difficult to breathe, so much so that some vulnerable souls get into depression and start having panic attacks.

It is a condition that prompts you to indulge in certain activities which can be revengeful and painful for the individual himself.

It is a condition that can simply take away your confidence and makes you doubt and question every single action of yours. You, at times, stop believing in yourself, resulting in very low self-esteem and sulking into a shell.