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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

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

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

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

9. 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.

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

11. 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.

12. 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.

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

14. 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?

15. 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

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

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

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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