How Do You Design and Structure Your Story?
A strong bridge requires a robust structure to gain strength.
Similarly, a good story needs to be structured well in order
to have a strong appeal. The most famous and apt definition of structure has been
offered by none other than Aristotle who famously remarked that every story
should have ‘a beginning, a middle and an end.’
And most of us feel that it is true about any piece of
writing.
But that may not always be the case.
Simply put, the beginning of a story seeks to provide a brief
introduction where you may like us to meet the principal characters and hint at
the basic theme or idea.
The middle carries the conflict or complication and develops
it to a point of highest tension.
And the ending offers a finding or resolution.
A good beginning always leads to the logical center and
thereafter, to an appropriate end. These three parts seamlessly flow into each
other and combine to present a larger picture.
Now, someone may ask:
Can’t I start with the ending first or come straight to the
middle?
Yes, by all means.
But do you remember how someone held your little finger and
taught you to take that first baby step? And once you became confident, how you
executed longer and longer jumps without any hassles?
The same analogy holds true here, you can have all the improvisations
you want but it always helps to master the basics first.
Now, don’t confuse the plot with the structure.
While plot refers to the small twists and turns that happen
as your story moves ahead, the structure is akin to the pillars and the
framework that hold a story together so that it makes more and more
sense.
In a short story, it is important to keep things moving.
It shouldn’t appear drab
or static at any point of time. So, the protagonist is faced with a problem, strives
hard to deal with it and finally realizes a truth or two about life. But
irrespective of whether he succeeds or fails in his endeavor, he acts and things happen to him continuously. That’s what keeps the narrative
flowing.
Like a river.
A river starts as a small stream, on its way it gathers
momentum, starts roaring and then it merges into the sea. And throughout its
journey, it is absolutely sure of its destination.
Similarly, a story’s direction is laid out in the beginning
itself so that the characters and incidents know how their journey would end. Hence, they interact and move accordingly to fulfill the aim that the writer has
in mind.
An important point to
remember in this context is the building up to the climax.
Climax is the most intense and powerful part of a story.
A story moves steadily towards its climax which has the
potential to change its course. And as a river discovers its meaning as it
dissolves into the ocean, a story discovers its meaning as it nears the climax.
It exposes the writer’s perception of the world around him
and may lead to a revelation that serves to illuminate the reader’s mind.
However, the new age fiction that relies on experimentation,
may not offer a climax as an essential ingredient. It may not strive to offer a
resolution of the crisis either.
On the other hand, it may leave you with an open ended tale
that invites the reader to participate, connect the missing links and make
sense of the central theme as per his view point.
However, you may decide to include a denouement which usually
comes after the climax wherein all the loose ends are tied up and intricacies
explained. This is required so
that a reader absorbs the high tension and conflict associated with the climax gradually
and arrives at a unified perception of reality.
Although, it is important to have the elements of plot and
structure in place before you begin writing a story, let it not appear as a
rigid or deliberate attempt on your part.
A good structure allows your story to
have a natural flow and prevents it from appearing flat or uninteresting. So, design your stories in a manner that they draw the reader
in and sustain his interest till the very end. And if you intend to deliver a
moral, do it implicitly and by way of a suggestion.
A sound structure helps you to achieve all this and much
more.
Wow!!! very well articulated, Sir. Your writing give a perception of a class teacher explaining me about how to write a good story. I will implement your conecpt for my next post. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThanks Vinay!You have a writer in you.I want him to come out and bask in the sunshine.
DeleteVery nice...keepit up.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gagan for reading my blog!
DeleteExceptional well presented. My compliments. Indeed the very essence of the issue has been very well summarised. Bravo
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DeleteI always enjoy your post.Your articles help us realise that we can solve our problems in constructive ways.You are doing a great job,sir.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shweta!I am making an endeavor to answer certain basic questions about creative writing. It's nice to know that you find these answers relevant.
ReplyDeleteApart from being a very good writer apparently you seems to be a very good teacher too. The way you create environment and introduce your thoughts one after another is an amazing way to enrich your readers learning.I am sure the thoughts presented by you straight land into readers mind and permanently stuck there.
ReplyDeleteActually, I have been an instructor on many occasions in my previous professions.So, that part comes quite naturally to me.It's a live, on the spot connection that you seek to establish with your audience. However, my readers for this blog are equally enthusiastic and that makes this process of coming together on a similar wavelength so much easier.
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