Write UP North 2024: Planning Stories

 

Planning your Story

Literary Example: My Name is Mina by David Almond

When I was at school – at St Bede’s Middle – I was told by my teacher Mrs Scullery that I should not write anything until I had planned what I would write. What nonsense!

Do I plan a sentence before I speak it? Of course, I do not!

Does a bird plan its song before it sings?

Of course, it does not!

It opens its beak, and it sings so I will sing.

Contrary to Mina’s belief, writers should have a loose plan about what will happen in their story before it is written. Having a such a plan can help you see light at the end of tunnel if you become stuck. Even with a short story there is plenty of opportunity to get into a pickle and lose direction. Having an idea of what happens at the end will really help you.

It does not have to be a strict plan; you can add or alter it as you write your story but it is good practice to have some sort of plan handy. I have personal experience myself and from working with adults and children of not planning stories which can lead to frustration, writer’s block and never finishing the story.

A Story Plan

At its most basic we have the start, the middle and the end. Slightly more advanced is the following:

1.Introduction: set the scene, is there any back story we need to know;

2.Build Up: introduce your main character and tell us something about them such as the life they lead;

3.Dilemma / Problem: what is going to happen to them;

4.The resolution of the dilemma; how does your main character overcome things (if they can);

5The ending: tie up all the loose ends and explain if there is a moral or lesson to the story.

AAlways keep this in mind: nothing is really fixed; the plan is there to act as guidance to help you.


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