Writing a Story

“I wrote my first novel because I wanted to read it.”

- Toni Morrison

The Six Pieces to a Story

• Characters

• Plot

• Theme

• Structure

• Setting

• Tone

Characters

• Main hero - Protagonist

• Give enough details to paint a picture.

• Always give your character some type of flaw/weakness. A perfect character is a boring character.

Plot

• The main conflict of the story.

• Five steps of the plot are Introduction->Rising Action->Climax->Falling Action->Resolution.

• Internal/External.

Theme

• The “lesson” of the story.

• Not necessary, but recommended.

Structure

• First Person or Third Person? (Possibly Second Person?)

• Past Tense or Present Tense?

• Stick to one or the other. Do not alternate mid-story.

Setting

• When & Where?

Style/Tone/Language

• Know which audience you want to appeal to.

• Use the appropriate language.

Finding Ideas

• Always carry a notebook.

• Don’t be afraid to base off personal ideas.

• Read, read, read. And then read some more.

After the Story is Finished…

“I edit my own stories to death. They eventually run and hide from me.”

- Jeanne Voelker

Editing.

• Re-read your story over and over.

• Have a friend or two read it through.

• Submit to a professional editor.

Copyright

• Library of Congress holds the U.S. Copyright Office.

• www.copyright.gov

• Poor man’s copyright.

Getting Published

• Search for publishers or literary agents.

• Query letters

• Self-publishing

Publishers/Literary Agents

• www.scriptologist.com

• http://www.bookmarket.com/101publishers.htm

• Hundreds of agents in Philadelphia.

Query Letters

• Like interviewing for a job.

• Personalize each letter.

• Query letter makes a HUGE difference.

Self-Publishing

• Createspace.com or Lulu.com.

• Costly $$$.

• Very easy to complete, very difficult to market.

The Secret to a Successful Book

PATIENCE