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It’s no surprise that narrative writing is not everyone’s cup of tea. Such creative writing needs good thinking and a flair of developing and playing with characters. Plus, a good narrative writer will also consider the tips and tricks shared by the experts.
Speaking of which, this interesting blog post is your opportunity to know those tips to improve narrative writing. Or take this creative activity to the next level. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Here’s a detailed guide to help you improve your narrative writing skills:
Character Development
Come up with lots of details about your characters’ backgrounds, what drives them, and what their flaws are. It’s important that they seem believable and you can relate to them.
Rather than simply giving the details of a character, let their traits show through how they act, what they say, and how they interact with others.
Plot Development
Outline the start, middle, and conclusion of your story. Have the main events figured out but leave some room for unexpected twists.
Create some drama and keep your readers hooked by building up suspense and making them wait in anticipation.
Setting and Description
Set the scene for your readers by giving them an idea of the environment, the time period, and the feeling of the story. Paint a picture with your words to help them fully experience the story.
Draw the reader in by mentioning sights, sounds, smells, textures, and flavors.
Start Strong
Start with something that’ll grab people’s attention – a catchy line, a question, or something that’ll make them jump right into the story.
Think about the vibe you want to give off and make it clear from the beginning.
Develop the Narrative
Make sure to mix up action, dialogue, and moments for the characters to think and reflect, to keep the story moving along nicely.
Have your characters encounter challenges that they must figure out how to get past, making sure the suspense stays at its peak.
Dialogue
Make sure the conversations sound true-to-life and help build up the characters and move the story forward.
Use dialogue to showcase individual traits and quirks.
Show, Don’t Tell
Rather than just giving the facts, create a vivid image with your words. Use descriptions that evoke emotions and show what’s happening.
Give readers something interesting to look at by spicing up your writing with unique and creative phrases.
Editing and Revising
Once you’re done writing, give it a once-over and make sure everything looks good – make sure it all makes sense and that there are no grammar or spelling mistakes.
Try looking into different kinds of books and authors to get a better grasp of different writing styles and techniques.
Make an effort to write stories regularly to get better at it.
Tap into your own life to come up with ideas for your creative projects – think about stuff that has happened to you, what you’ve seen, and other stories you’ve heard.
Try out writing in the first person, third person, or even second person point of view to see what fits best for your tale.
Don’t put restrictions on yourself. Try out different topics, types, and ways of writing to expand your story-telling skills.
Let’s create a narrative example and illustrate each tip within the context of a short story:
Example 1:
Story: The Forgotten Locket
Character 1: Emily
Emily, a quiet librarian in her 30s, loves to get lost in her old books and collects antiques as a way to cope with a past hurt that makes it hard for her to open up to people.
Character 2: Daniel
Daniel, the owner of an antique shop, is real nosy when it comes to people and their stories and has a fascination with forgotten treasures.
Starting Strong
The story begins with Emily discovering an old locket buried in a forgotten corner of the library where she works. The first line reads, “In the dusty embrace of forgotten tomes, Emily unearthed a treasure that whispered of secrets lost to time.”
Developing the Narrative
As Emily explores the locket’s origins, she encounters Daniel, who recognizes its significance. Their quest to uncover the locket’s history leads them on a journey through hidden stories and unexpected connections.
Dialogue
Emily and Daniel’s conversations reveal their contrasting perspectives on life, love, and trust. Through their exchanges, Daniel’s optimism gradually draws Emily out of her shell.
Show, Don’t Tell
Instead of outright stating Emily’s distrust, the narrative shows her reluctance to share personal details and her hesitation to trust Daniel due to her past experiences.
Editing and Revising
After the first draft, the story undergoes revisions to enhance descriptive elements, ensuring the settings, emotions, and character interactions are vivid and engaging.
Reading Extensively
The author draws inspiration from classic mystery novels and character-driven stories to infuse depth into The Forgotten Locket.
Writing Regularly
Through consistent writing sessions, the author refines the story’s pacing and explores different narrative structures to craft a compelling arc.
Trying Different Perspectives
Initially written in the third person, the author experiments with writing certain chapters from Emily’s first-person perspective, offering readers a deeper connection to her emotions and inner turmoil.
Exploring Diverse Themes
While rooted in mystery, the story touches on themes of trust, forgiveness, and the power of human connections, adding layers to the narrative.
Example 2:
Story: Echoes of the Storm
Character 1: Liam
Liam, a retired musician in his late 50s, grapples with a tragic loss that shattered his passion for music. He seeks solace in solitude, haunted by memories of a past he can’t escape.
Character 2: Maya
Maya, an aspiring journalist in her mid-20s, is curious, empathetic, and determined to uncover untold stories. She stumbles upon Liam’s secluded cabin while researching a local folklore.
Starting Strong
The story opens with Liam’s solitary life amidst the relentless rain that mirrors his inner turmoil. “The rain tapped a melancholic melody on Liam’s window, a rhythm that mirrored the silence of his broken soul.”
Developing the Narrative
Maya’s arrival disrupts Liam’s routine, leading to reluctant interactions that gradually unveil Liam’s past as a renowned pianist. Their unlikely bond forms as they explore the mysterious folklore together.
Dialogue
Conversations between Liam and Maya reveal their contrasting perspectives on life, loss, and the healing power of music. Through dialogue, Liam slowly rediscovers his passion while Maya unravels the secrets of the folklore.
Show, Don’t Tell
Rather than explicitly stating Liam’s grief, the narrative portrays his pain through subtle actions like his hesitant touch on the piano keys or the way he avoids discussing his past.
Editing and Revising
The story undergoes multiple revisions to refine descriptive elements, ensuring the rain-soaked setting evokes emotions and parallels Liam’s internal struggles.
Reading Extensively
Drawing inspiration from classic literature and music-themed narratives, the author infuses poetic descriptions and thematic depth into Echoes of the Storm.
Writing Regularly
Consistent writing sessions help the author experiment with varying narrative structures, alternating between present-day events and poignant flashbacks from Liam’s past.
Trying Different Perspectives
Initially narrated from Liam’s perspective, certain chapters are rewritten from Maya’s viewpoint, offering readers insight into her motivations and emotional journey alongside Liam’s.
Exploring Diverse Themes
While centered around loss and rediscovery, the story touches on themes of resilience, the interplay of memories and music, and the transformative nature of unexpected connections.
Narrative writing takes more than creative thinking and character development. To be a good narrative writer, you must be able to experiment with different scene settings and evolve. This blog post was all about letting you know of some tricks and tips to improve narrative writing.
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