Writing your story

It's one thing to tell your story to a friend. It's another thing to write your story. There must be structure built on a firm foundation. What is your story's foundation- plot?

It has to start there. All other things will come together. If you have a weak foundation, you'll have a weak story, even if you think it's great. When the test of time comes, aka festivals and critics, your plot will determine much about your success.

Plotting can make or break you. It's your choice.

1 step, 2 step, 3 step, 4, how many robbers come knocking at your door? Dr.Seuss is a classic story writer for children. He had his target audience selected and wrote for them to digest. Who is your audience? and how do they connect with your story? How many steps does it really take develop your plot?

Plotting path that leads to the bridge that will take you to your audience.

1. Enjoy your job by reading and learning from others. Here's a great example: https://mckeestory.com/

2. Use a plotting process that helps you shape your story. My personal favorite is:

http://www.sethworley.com/storyclock-notebook

3. Create your timeline. There must be a start and finish point so you can fill in the blanks. Muddy waters are no fun to walk through. It's not fair to ask your audience to do the same.

4. Show, don't tell all about your character up front. Allow people to either fall in love with your character over time or grow to hate them. It's your choice. To do so up front, fast and furious and tell them why they should love them, could ruin a really good story.

5. Be willing to allow the 5 W's change with your character. Do you know your 5 W's?

6. Story-boarding is good at the beginning of writing as well as at the end as you prepare for production. It will help you stay focused on where you're character is going and what they are doing so they don't fall off the edge of the bridge too soon.

7. Subplots are like the undercurrent of a river. It keeps things moving or causes it to stand still like stagnant water.

8. Do you like change? If you don't, stop now. You will not enjoy writing. It's something that is necessary like a propeller on a boat. Then ask yourself if it's character-driven or action-driven?

9. You're at the end of your first rough draft. It's time to evaluate where your characters are. How did they change throughout the story or did they remain the same?

10. send it out for critique. The professionals will always shoot you a straight arrow faster than your friends and family will. We highly recommend; http://actoneprogram.com/

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