We all have creative writing classes in high school, but do you ever wonder how those poems and stories stay in your head? Do you ever wonder how your professors knew your name was Jessica and not Julie? Do you ever wonder how you came up with that new twist on a classic fairy tale?
Where does all of this story come from? How did you choose these random characters and these whimsical events?
No! You don’t want to know how it all came together. That’s the writer’s job. You want to know how to TEACH plot in creative writing.
Good writers know how to write the story as they see it. They know exactly what happened and in what order. They probably aren’t even sure themselves! So how do they do that? How do they write the story down when it’s all still in their head?
It starts early. As a young writer, you will most likely be submitting your work to magazines and publishers. Those magazines and publishers aren’t just going to print any old trash. They want to see a story or novel that’s been crafted with care. They want to see originality. Most importantly, they want to see storytelling.
Luckily, you have an audience with you from the very beginning. Your creative writing teacher. Yes, those people who told you to write this stuff in the first place are waiting with bated breath to read your magnum opus. Because it’s them who will tell you if you’ve written something worth publishing or not. So to gain their trust, you need to be putting in the extra hours. You need to be showing them your best work. You need to be teaching them how to plot.
The Three-Act Structure
The most recognizable story structure is the three-act structure. It’s what you know and love from high school English classes. The first act is usually the setup; the second act is the story proper, and the third act is the resolution of the problem or dilemma that was established at the beginning of the story. You could write an entire novel using only these three acts!
This is the standard framework for a narrative story. But it doesn’t have to be limited to just that. You can use this same basic structure to plan out a screenplay. Or a stage play. Or a graphic narrative. Or anything!
The thing is, you probably don’t need to consciously think about the three-act structure when writing. You just need to do it. It will dictate everything. Sometimes, your narrative may even take a different shape than what is commonly referred to as the three-act structure, but you will know exactly what is going on. You will not be lost. That’s what makes a good writer. That they can always go back and understand the characters’ motivations and the sequence of events.
This is why, when you’re taught to write, you will be introduced to the three-act structure early on. Even if you’re not consciously thinking about it, you’re going to be exposed to it.
How to Write the Story Proper
The second step in the process of becoming a professional writer is learning how to write the story. When you’re first learning how to write, you’ll have a lot of trial and error. You’ll start out writing short stories and eventually move up to longer pieces. Your professors, your guidance counselors, and even your best friends will be along for the ride. They want to see you succeed, so they’ll try and help as much as they can. Just remember that the more you put in, the more you’ll get back. It’s a good thing to aim for perfection, but you won’t reach it anytime soon. That’s okay! Aim for proficiency. Write what you know. Start out simple, and then expand your horizons as you go along.
How to Use Scene Description
Now that you have a basic understanding of story and plot, it’s time to move on to something more important. That is how to use scene description. In creative writing, we often times refer to each of the individual scenes as actions. For example, in Act One, Scene One, we have a conversation between Jessica and Richard. In Act Two, Scene Two, we have another conversation between the same two characters. In contrast, in Act One, Scene Three, we have a confrontation between Jessica and Tim.
What is scene description? Simply put, it is the information that is delivered in a scene. Typically, this is everything from the setting of the scene (the time of day, the location), to the physical description of the characters (their clothes, hair, etc.), to the dialogue. These are all the little things that make up a scene. The information that you provide will be what gives your work that extra oomph! You’re not going to believe how much the little snippets of information can do for your story. They may not seem like much at first, but trust me, they are! The more you put in, the more you’ll get back. Remember, practice makes perfect.
How to Use Summary
Every so often, you’ll come across an academic piece – usually in a newspaper or magazine – that doesn’t even bother with a summary! Just the outline of the story with no indication of what happens in it. Ouch! That’s a pain in the neck. Especially if you’re in the habit of reading such shallow work. So, it’s time for you to learn how to use summary. A summary is a condensed version of the story – the most important parts laid out in a clear and concise manner. The more you put in, the more you’ll get back. The key is to learn how to write a summary that isn’t so dry and tedious that it makes the reader lose interest in your story.
How to Use Characterization
Finally, we arrive at the part of your creative writing studies that you’ve been waiting for! The part that will define you as a writer. Characterization. In creative writing, we often times refer to each of the individual characters as individuals. For example, in Act One, Scene One, we have a conversation between Jessica and Richard. In Act Two, Scene Two, we have another conversation between the same two characters. In contrast, in Act One, Scene Three, we have a confrontation between Jessica and Tim.
What is characterization? Simply put, it is the presentation of the characters. It is through the interaction of the characters with each other and their environment that the story develops. So, in a play, the characterization would be of the various characters and how they interrelate with each other. In a novel, it is usually done through dialogue, although there are exceptions. In any case, it is this interaction that gives your work that extra oomph! You’re not just going to write about your characters, you’re going to BE your characters!
Now, before you jump out of your seat, let me remind you that none of this is meant to be overwhelming. This is all stuff that you’ll gradually learn as you go along. It’s not that you don’t know it all now; it’s that you know too much now and don’t know how to put it all together. Remember your creative writing teacher. Remember those people who told you to write. They want to help, but they’re not the ones who have to live with what you produce.
Putting It All Together
To recap, so far we’ve established that narrative storytelling is the process of developing a story through the sequential telling of events. This is usually done through dialogue or exposition. Exposition is the information that is given by the story’s protagonist or narrator to the audience about the setting and characters. Through exposition, you are setting the scene and laying out the essential details of the story. For example, in Act One, Scene One, we have the following:
“At the outset of Act One, Scene One, we are given exposition about Richard. The audience is informed that he is the brother of Jessica’s husband, Ted. They also learn that since Richard’s father died, he has become the executor of his will. A will that leaves all of his money and business to Jessica.”
In Act Two, Scene Two, we have:
“In Act Two, Scene Two, we are again given exposition about Richard. The audience is informed that he is the brother of Jessica’s husband, Ted. Also, since Richard’s father died, he has become the executor of his will. A will that leaves all of his money and business to Jessica.”
In Act One, Scene Three, we have:
“In Act One, Scene Three, we have our first instance of exposition. The audience is informed that since Richard’s father died, he has become the executor of his will. A will that leaves all of his money and business to Jessica.”