by W. Diane Van Zwol

Created on: June 19, 2008

Living Love With Words: How To Write A Story

Story telling is a gift that has been passed down through the generations. It is also
an art that can be learned. We all tell stories at one time or another; many people try to write them down as well. How we tell that story, either by oral tradition as a form of verbal transmission, or in writing, determines its effectiveness to a great degree.

If we take two hearts and place one of them upside down, it gives us some idea of the difference. The one that is right side up, asks who wrote this and wants to read more. It is like saying helium rises. "Up, up and away in my beautiful balloon!"

The one that is upside down, is like that tear jerker that says the law of gravity is serious, so get serious. Everything falls down.

When you are beginning to write your story, first ask yourself what you are trying to say in a nut shell. Pick a topic, become an expert on it. Stick to it and no roaming in the glen, so to speak. These are merely common sense suggestions.

There are some other basics that are essential in a good story regardless of its style, length, or content. Each story consists of four distinct parts.

*title
*introduction
*body
*conclusion

With respect to the title, ask yourself these questions. Do I like or love this title? Would I read it myself? How about another reader or a publisher? Why would I, or anyone else want to read it? Do I really want to write that? Will that title capture the reader's attention immediately or have I lost him or her already? In other words, is it appropriate for your story? Is there going to be some kind of action happening in this story, or with it, because of the uniqueness of its title?

The introduction is equally important. In essence, it acts like an invitation to a party. Looking at it in that light, or from that direction, ask yourself if it really invites you, or anyone else to that party. Does it excite you to write it? Would anyone else, including a publisher, be dying to read it? If not, why not? Dead parties are no fun.

The body of the story is going to be what holds the reader's attention, or loses it completely. Look at it seriously. Is it intriguing, compelling, fascinating, challenging or exciting to you? Would it be attractive to another reader, or a publisher? Does it have some element of surprise in it? In other words, since this is the main part of your story, it needs to have something in it that will keep the reader reading on, or you have lost him, or her, along the way.

The

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