Ultimate Beginner’s Guide: How to Write Story

By Gaurav Dey, Guest Contributor

Writing starts with several instincts and practice. Let us dive into the topic of How to Start Writing a Story from scratch.

Venturing into this field, we may come across numerous varieties of ideas and want to start it straight away. Beginners have the advantage of new perspectives and new motives and directions. Yet not everyone survives this long haul. To make the stay worthwhile, follow the step-by-step guide and acquaint yourself with content that your audience love to read and share:

Golden Mean

The idea of averages by Aristotle is equated to the Golden Mean. It is a way of justification between two extremities. E.g., If I happen to have a topic in my hand that I want to proceed with and on the other hand, I have another topic that is more beneficial in terms of growth, but it is rather a complicated one, I will go for the golden mean. A topic that challenges you yet makes you grow is your ideal subject but isn’t completely out of your league.

Starting from the climax

Many writers have the habit of being the follower of “end to end,” i.e., following a path of straight destination, wherein you position yourself from the beginning and gradually move towards the climax and finally reach the endpoint. But for me, what has always worked out. If I have my climax ready, I can revolve and evolve the characters in any way. The characters can be less dependent on me for directions, and that can make me as a writer realize how building the intent is easier than building a plot.

Now, Brainstorm!

If the above two steps are done correctly, it is time to brainstorm the topic. Since the climax is ready, be sure of a few other aspects: their background, close and loved ones, their friend’s circle, and lastly, their wants—Shadow yourself as them. Think of objects that this character wanted in the past and might take a fancy to in the future. Slowly, the value of the inputs considered will be realized. The climax is done, the main lead is under construction with the foundation laid, and next up is “adjacent fabrication.”

Adjacent fabrication

This step is what I call the building block of the entire story. Growing up, there were instances when I discovered that many side characters play an equally important role. For some, without side-hustlers, the story has no essence. What makes your ideal supporting characters fit for the role? Make sure they have one common ground to sync with the lead character. One interesting feature is enough to build the entire fantasy. As the branches diverge, characters should show their positive and negative expressions. This makes readers intact with the storyline. Now, fabricate and bundle all into a sequential manner.

Pack it together

Pack things for the long run once the above four steps have attained a certain level. Start the introductory chapter or part. This is the make-or-break phase. Remember, readers are a diverse section of people, so do not spread your wings only upon a few sections. Make every sentence a rising action. Rising actions are those phrases or sentences riddled with conflict and drive your characters. Even if it is about placing some random facts, it is possible and succinct. The introductory phase has its advantages. It can throw upon any scene. It’ll absorb it.

Cutting down the edges & The End

You’re almost there. You’ve done the hard part. Now sit and enjoy your hours of work. Once point 1-5 is accomplished, you have entered into a phase called cutting the edges. The story has been fabricated and packed. All that is required is to chop off the scenes that don’t fit or aren’t adding value to the plots. And remember, continuity is the key. The end of the story has to be much more toned down than that of the climax. This ensures that the characters don’t jump into sections where the plot ends with many mysteries. Make every possible connection or question answered. Don’t bellow down. You have a lot of work to do. This isn’t even your proper first draft.

Editing, Proof-Reading, Second-Reading

Skimp through all the chapters or parts and edit wherever there is a necessity. Editing in this process is just for the sake of completing a task. It’ll not necessarily be the end of the editing process. 

  • Proofread every sentence or hire someone who has professional expertise. 
  • Involve friends, family, and support systems. 
  • Make them read the copy. 

If they get the hang of it, you’re already in the race to success. Next, find a publishing house and follow their set procedures after that.

This reflects only a few glimpses of what goes into making an absolute masterpiece. Many authors have suggested ways that may be different from this trajectory. It is often the weird ways that are sustained in writing. Innovation and creativity should always go hand-in-hand. I hope you’ve learned something from the blog.