The River Exercise from Writing the Script by Wells Root an exercise in organizing a story

Goals creative storytelling/organize story elements First step: Who will read and enjoy your writing? Pick a target audience Pick a genre Know your theme/message/statement

Target Audience Elementary school Middle school Older Keep in mind: the main characters- the relatable characters- will be the target audience’s age or a couple of years older.

Genres Mystery, hunting clues to resolve a problem Adventure-Thriller Fantasy with magic and/ or legendary creatures Horror, stories with dark natures Science Fiction time travel, technology, aliens Romance, romantic comedy, historical

What Type of Story? Idea: gather info to solve a challenge Character: self-discovery, hero, growth Event Different Culture, strange world (Mileu) *Which kind of story gives clues to when and where stories begin and end.

Part 1 of 3- the Intro or Beginning Introduce & show off your characters Set the scene Show and reveal the overall Conflict/Problem

Part 2 The Middle/ Body Turning point. Twist to the story to alter current-direction. Add complications. Inner conflict. Increase tension.

Part 3- The End Resolve theme/ Unity of theme/ Make statement Full circle. Consequences of choices. Success? Unlikely. Improbable. Impossible.

Part 1 of 3- the Intro or Beginning The first part should include Introduce & show off your characters with conflict and discontent. Want change or deal with change. Set the scene Show and reveal the overall Conflict/Problem What’s at stake? What happens if your characters fail? To add urgency, set a time frame/deadline.

Plot The sequence of the story tears down and builds the characters to tackle the problem that supports the theme.

CONFLICT All stories: main character’s will thwarted CONFLICT All stories: main character’s will thwarted. How do characters handle obstacles? Find true essence of character only through difficult times by removing the mask under duress. Mystery to unravel? Or a murder, a secret or hidden treasure? Rescue someone or something in distress? Desire to be famous/successful? Love/romance? Self-discovery? Hero/Heroine tale. Adventure to new knowledge.

Characters Make characters relatable to the audience. Make character brief with questions. I am Exercise: My name is so and so and I am . . . Character Spine. Dominate trait. Strengths & Weaknesses. Overcome fatal flaw? Actions speak louder than words. Show and tell. Character defined by reaction to challenges. Voice. Opinion on weather Exercise.

Gary Trudeau Doonesbury A writer’s job is to create memorable characters and put them under duress. STRESS & Stretch THEM! Gary Trudeau Doonesbury

Setting Why are you using this particular place Setting Why are you using this particular place? Is the setting a character? A part of the conflict? Well known spot? Historical location?

What’s at Stake? What happens if the character fails? Life or death? Macro or micro? World-saving or Personal? Desire to achieve or attain Prestige-fame Love Power/ money Pride Hold to a Principle

Urgency! Chaos theory, one breakdown leads to another. Fixing one problem, creates another. Or uncovers another. Stress creates pressure Deadlines

Ways to Start Fast Action Crisis Situation Crisis Character Crisis All involve making tough choices Introduce villain early

Part 2 The Middle/ Body Turning point. Story becomes more personal. Twist to the story to alter current-direction. Add complications. Natural obstacles. More difficult. Failures. Getting lost. Disagreement & disharmony among heroes Build goodwill for later. Inner conflict. Giving up. Mettle test. Stair-step increase tension: tension and relief Suspense vs surprise

Part 3- The End Resolve theme/ Unity of theme/ Full circle By connecting the beginning to the end Highest stakes create hard, defining choices. subplot lines merge. Forced to face weakness. Success? Unlikely. Improbable. Impossible. *Invisible life line. Goodwill comes to play.

Part 3- TYPES OF ENDINGS Happy ever after: Everything goes right. Unrealistic. Loser. Die in despair. Hopeless. Tragic: Exalt human spirit. Inspiring. Lessons. Warnings. Extols faith, vision, courage that rises above adversity and fate. Disturbing- Magnificence. Bittersweet. Sacrifice leads to fulfilment. Price of success/victory. Instinct to survive and license to hope.

The End & The Beginning Full Circle/Complete Pattern What kind of story? Mileu: about an usual place or culture Begin by arriving. End by departing. Idea: the story is about gathering info Start with problem. Get info to resolve. Character: characters are the focal point Choice made. Growth/Learning. Consequences Event: an occurrence and period of time