Building a Story
| Meta | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Building a Story |
| Creator: | Sara Arnold |
| Date(s): | December 1991 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | multifandom |
| Topic: | |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Building a Story is a 1991 essay by Sara Arnold.
It was published in A Writer's Exchange #1.
Some Topics Discussed
- fanfiction writing: the use of tension, motivation, avoid necessary scenes and pat endings
From the Essay
Building a story might best be compared to building a house. Start with a solid framework, then gradually fill in more and more detail. When you're finished, the framework may not be visible; you know it's there, though, holding up the house you've so carefully put together. In this case, framework is another word for plot --- or, to put it simply, the order in which events occur.
In life, things don't always happen for a reason. In fiction, it's essential that they do. Otherwise, you don't have a story, just a string of unconnected incidents. For instance, suppose you're writing a ST:TNG story where Geordi LaForge finally gains his eyesight. You need to consider both how it comes about (a new operation? Intervention by Q?) and what happens afterward. Will his crewmates feel differently about him now that he can see? Will he want to remain on the Enterprise, or even in Starfleet? Your answers determine the direction your story will take.
A common mistake writers make is the insertion of unnecessary scenes. As an example, imagine you have a scene in Ten-Forward between Riker and Troi. It may be the most poignant, touching thing you've ever written. Or it may be the hottest, with steam pouring off the page. But unless it has something to do with Geordi's situation, it has no place in your story.
One final piece of advice: don't make the ending too pat or easy. Next Generation scriptwriters had this problem during the first few seasons. They spent 50 minutes building exciting, tense scenarios, then suddenly had to resolve them in 10 minutes. Fan writers have a little more freedom, so make sure you tie up all the loose ends and resolve the conflicts before you sign off. Your readers will thank you for it.