Ideas for How to Write a Story

Video Transcript

"Hi. This is Laura Turner, and today I'm going to give you some ideas on how to write a story. And of course now first you had to figure out what kind of story do you want to write. Do you want to write a long novel, or do you want a short story? Things like that. But first of all, think about do you know how to write a story? And if you don't, I would recommend that you either take a class, or you try to figure it out on your own by reading. And in fact, even if you know how to write a story and you've written before, keep reading. Read a lot. Read writers that you love, and writers that you even don't enjoy. Think about why you don't enjoy their writing, and why you do. And then you can sort of put those two together and become the writer that you want to be. So go to class, and read, and educate yourself, first of all. Then, think about what you have to say. Think about your particular experiences in life, and things that have happened to you that inform how you're going to write, and what you want to say about the world. Think about what you feel about the world. And actually even make, I would suggest, making an actual list of topics that you would like to write about. Important topics. Things that you think need to be addressed in the world today. Next, have somebody to read your writing. Give your work to others for evaluation, praise, encouragement, and just, just to give it to someone, so that you can actually feel as though you are a writer. Because when you are a writer you write by yourself, but others read your writing, and others see what you've written. So you should sort of make that leap from private writer into, you know, the public eye. By giving it either to a close friend, or a teacher, or someone you trust with your writing. And then finally, after you have written your story, you must revise your story. You must actually go back with a cold eye, and say what is working here and what is not? What have people told me that is not working that I agree with? What have people told me that is not working that I don't agree with? Things you don't agree with you can throw away. Things you do, you must go back and you must say, what can I do to fix this moment, or what can I do to fix what they have told me? So that I can communicate my thoughts, about what I want to say, in a more clear fashion. Okay? And never, ever be afraid of failure. Always know that every writer goes back and revises at least once."