STORY WRITING
WHAT IS STORY WRITING?
Story Writing is a work of “fiction or imagination” that is usually written in “easily
understandable grammatical structure” with a “natural flow of speech.” Story writing is
meant to be read at a single sitting and therefore it should be as direct and brief.
Typically story writing has five key elements –
• Character (fewer is better)- A character is someone or something that takes part
in actions depicted in the short story. It could be a living person, a dead person, a
ghost, an imaginary character, a robot, a dog, a toy, etc. Do not fall or overdo the
characterization.
• Setting (brief but poetic and vivid)- Time frame and place constitute the setting of
story writing. The setting is often decorated with descriptions of scenes such as
supermarket, bedroom, crowded metro train, or drizzling evening, etc. These
descriptions are very important to make the reader immerse in the plot.
• Plot (as simple and interesting as possible)- Unit of time frame may vary from
hours to days to weeks to years. The golden rule in selecting time frame for story
writing is “keep it shorter” and “have it single.” Story writing that has setting of
few hours may typically be clearer and more effective than with setting of few
months or years.
• Conflict (intense but one)- Tension might be the mother of fiction,
but problems are the mother of tension. In fiction, those problems are called
conflict. It is basically when a character wants something but something else gets
in the way.
• Theme (relating to most readers)- The central idea or main belief presented by a
story writing is called theme. It is a frame of your short story that is decorated by
plot, setting, conflict, and characters.
FEATURES OF A GOOD STORY
1. Basically, developing and writing a good story needs the art of narration. You
must narrate the incidents in a sequential order leading to the conclusion.
2. Follow the basic theme as developed by the input or by the introductory lines. You
are not supposed to invent new and different themes.
3. Within the given limits, give expression to your creative talents.
4. The beginning and the concluding lines must support the main part or the events
described in the story.
As story writing involves creative writing skills, follow the below-mentioned points
to write a good story –
1. The narrative should be in 1st or 2nd or 3rd person.
2. The setting of the story should be made vividly.
3. Time, location, context, and atmosphere should be described to create imagery.
4. Meaningful dialogues to be used. Dialogues should have expressions.
5. Identify 2 – 3 main characters and a few side characters in the story.
6. The plot of the story should be interesting but short because the word limit
(150-200 words) should not be exceeded.
7. Give a catchy title to your story. Every story should have a beginning, major event
and then conclusion.
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Exercise
Write a story with a suitable title in 150-200 words using the given references.
1. It was Mohini’s first day at the new school. She was feeling very nervous. She
stood in a corner and watched the students who were laughing and talking
excitedly. When she saw four senior students advancing towards her, she…
2. There was a joint family of six members including grandparents. It was the
75th birthday of the grandmother and the family planned to celebrate …
3. Window display in toy shop---- Diwali season---- theft---- alarm sounded----
no clues found---- police puzzled---- little boy spots the difference in window
display---- leading to arrest
