If you’re reading this, I assume you’ve already created the masterpiece you were born to write – but the problem is that you don’t know how to put it into practice!
You have a great idea for a story – a tale of love, heartbreak and loneliness that will strike a chord with countless readers – but how do you go about putting that idea into words?
The answer is simple: you write a scenario. But before you begin, it’s crucial to understand what a scenario is and how it differs from a story, in both its functions and its structure.
What Is a Scenario?
Think of a scenario as a movie in your head. It’s a made-up story that you’re designing, in order to introduce a character or characters and set the scene. In the same way a playwright outlines a story in advance in order to create a screenplay, you, as a scenario writer, will do the same thing: create a movie in your head, and then write it down, so that you can bring it to life.
Often, scenarios are presented in the form of a series of dramatic scenes, strung together like a movie, and as with any good story, the scenes will build on one another, increasing in both tension and intensity as the narrative progresses. Scenarios can be used to explore a variety of topics, from romance to business, and social issues to crime – or even paranormal activity! – and whatever you might be passionate about, you’re sure to find a way to tell the story in a way that will appeal to your audience.
What Is the Difference Between a Scenario And A Story?
A story, as you’ve probably guessed, is an account of real events. If you’re writing a novel, you will undoubtedly include descriptions of actual places and conversations that took place. If you’re writing for the theatre, your scenes might be based on actual events that the characters experienced.
The crucial difference between a story and a scenario, however, is that a scenario does not have to be based on actual events. The events that comprise your scenario might have taken place in your head, or even in a completely made-up world. (Think of the Hobbit trilogy, for example!) Even better, you don’t necessarily need to use actual people, places or events as the basis for your story. You can literally invent any element you like and use real people, places and events only as a backdrop to your imagination.
As a storyteller, you have absolute freedom regarding where and when your scenes take place, since your audience will accept anything you offer, as long as it’s well-written. This makes your job as a storyteller much easier, because you don’t have to worry about whether or not your readers will be able to relate to what you’re writing. If an event occurs in the real world and you want to incorporate it into your story, you need to tread carefully, as there are often legalities you have to follow regarding copyright and plagiarism. Plagiarism is, essentially, taking credit for someone else’s work. Even if you’re sure that an event occurred exactly as you described it, you still need to give proper credit to the author of the event, or you could find yourself in hot water.
Now, you might ask yourself: but how does that help me, as a writer? Well, think of it this way: when you’re writing a story, your reader is completely in the dark, as to the contents of the narrative, until you’ve revealed it. You need to keep that same element of surprise when it comes to your scenario. By giving it a title and a brief description on your blog, you’re effectively telling your readers that it is, in fact, a made-up story – but only you, the creator, knows the whole truth. This will keep your readers engaged in your writing, as they will want to find out what happens next. It’s a storytelling technique that is as old as the art itself, and one that never goes out of style. (For more information, read the interesting blog post by John Green, in which he talks about the difference between a story and a scenario, as well as some of the most common pitfalls that even experienced storytellers can fall into.)
Why Should I Write A Scenario?
Think about why you want to write a scenario, and you will have your answer. Maybe you want to explore a particular genre and you know that there aren’t many good examples in literature (or even in films, for that matter), so you decide to create one that is completely unique to you. Maybe you want to write a love story and don’t know where to begin. Or maybe you have a specific topic in mind and you need somewhere to write about it. (For example, if you want to explore cyberpunk literature, you might decide to write a short story or a novella; or, if you want to write about outer space, you could create a scenario based on a Sci-Fi movie or series.)
Whatever the case may be, once you’ve decided that you want to write a scenario and have begun to develop your idea, it’s important to start putting it into practice. Once you’ve completed your masterpiece, the last thing you want to do is lose sight of it, or worse, have it taken from you without your knowledge. This is why you must write down your scenario, in as much detail as possible. Doing this will help you keep track of your story, no matter how far you get with it, and it will also help you prepare for the writing process, should you decide to go through with it. (For more information, check out the Writing Scenarios section of our guide, which is packed with helpful tips and advice on getting started.)
How Do I Start Writing A Scenario?
Before you begin the actual writing process, it’s important to take a step back and decide where you’re going to write it. If you’re serious about this project, you might want to consider taking a few weeks off and finding a quiet place, away from any distractions, where you can focus on the task at hand. (Of course, if you find that writing in a coffee shop is helping you get your ideas down on paper, then go for it!)
Once you’ve found that perfect place, it’s time to get to work. The first step is to simply start writing. Once you’ve got a few hundred words down, you can take a little break, and then start over again. Don’t worry about spelling or punctuation – no one’s going to be checking your spelling or punctuation as you go along, so you can get as creative as you like when it comes to the way you write. (For more information, check out our guide to tips and advice on writing.)
Where Should I Post My Scenario?
This is a tough one, since you don’t want to give away too much information about your story, but you also don’t want to keep your readers in the dark, either. The truth is that you don’t have to worry about this too much, as long as you keep it on the level of a blog post. However, if literary agents and publishing houses begin to take a liking to your work, and you’d like to see your story turned into a full-length novel or short story collection, then you might want to start a blog for writers, in which you can post your work and show off your amazing storytelling skills. (For more information on starting and using a blog, check out our guide to starting a blog.)
How Long Should My Scenario Be?
Ah, the age-old question: how long should my scenario be? Well, it depends on you, as the writer, and on your audience. If you’re writing for the literary crowd, you might want to keep it short and snappy – under 10,000 words, in fact. Anything over that, and you should consider reworking it into a shorter piece. Remember: your goal is to write a scenario, not a novel!
If you’re writing for the mainstream, then go for it! You can always cut down your narrative, should you need to, to meet the word count mark – but don’t worry about it now – your job is just to write the story, and the whole nine yards, from beginning to end, no matter how long it takes.
The bottom line is this: unless you’re writing for the educational market, or you’re simply indulging in some light escapism, your scenario should be a story that you’re proud of – and you should always be willing to rework it, until you’ve got it just right.
With these tips under your belt, the only thing left to do is write. Good luck out there!