Learn the step-by-step process of creating a captivating story from start to finish, with expert tips and techniques on how to draft a compelling narrative

Writing a story is like embarking on a small, open journey into the realm of imagination. Whether you’re planning to write a novel or a short story, drafting is an essential step to bring your ideas to life. It helps to organize your thoughts and create a roadmap for your story. In this article, we will guide you through the process of drafting a story, from the initial conception to the final revision.

Step 1: Conceive Your Idea

The first step in drafting a story is to conceive your idea. Think about the characters, their desires, and the world they live in. Create a mental image of the scenes and conflicts that will drive your story forward. Make sure to jot down any questions that arise and note any secrets or hidden motives that may come into play later.

Step 2: Build Character Profiles

Once you have a clear idea, it’s time to build character profiles. Each character should have a distinct personality, background, and motivation. This will help you ensure consistency in their actions and allow your audience to connect with them on a deeper level. Think about the past experiences that shaped each character and how they might evolve throughout the story.

Step 3: Outline your Story

Now that you have a good understanding of your characters, it’s time to outline your story. Create a checklist of the key plot points and scenes that you want to include. Consider the overall structure, including the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This outline will serve as a roadmap to keep your story on track.

Step 4: Write the First Draft

With your outline in hand, it’s time to start writing the first draft. Don’t worry about making it perfect; this is simply a tool to get your ideas down on paper. Leave notes along the way for any areas that need further development or revision. Focus on bringing the characters and their desires to life, and let the story unfold naturally.

Step 5: Revise and Edit

After completing the first draft, take some time away from your story. When you come back to it with fresh eyes, start revising and editing. Check for any flaws in the plot, inconsistencies in character development, or areas where the pacing might be off. Look for opportunities to add more conflict or deepen the desires of your characters. This is the stage where you refine your story and make it the best it can be.

Remember, drafting a story is a process that can take time. Every writer’s journey is unique, so feel free to adjust these steps to fit your own creative process. By following these tips and having a clear plan for your story, you can confidently navigate the drafting stage and bring your story to life for your readers.

How to Write a Short Story: 6 Steps + Examples

Writing a short story can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, these steps will help guide you through the process of creating a compelling short story that will captivate your readers.

1. Develop Your Idea: Before you start drafting your story, take some time to think about the idea you want to explore. What is the central theme or message you want to convey? Consider the setting, the characters, and the conflict that will drive your story forward.

2. Outline your Story: Creating an outline can help you organize your thoughts and give structure to your story. Note down the main acts or scenes you want to include, as well as any key plot points or character development moments. This will serve as a roadmap as you begin writing.

3. Introduce Compelling Characters: The protagonists and supporting characters are the heart of your story. Develop well-rounded characters with desires, flaws, and complex personalities. Make sure they have something at stake, whether it’s a personal goal or a conflict they must overcome.

4. Set the Scene: Bring your story to life by carefully describing the setting. Help readers imagine a vivid and immersive world that they can get lost in. Use sensory details to evoke emotions and create a strong sense of place.

5. Build Tension: Every good story needs conflict and tension to keep readers engaged. Introduce obstacles and challenges that your characters must face and overcome. This could be external forces against them or internal struggles they must confront.

6. Have a Resolution: Wrap up your story by bringing the conflict to a resolution. Whether it’s a happy ending or a bittersweet conclusion, make sure to satisfy your readers’ expectations. Tie up loose ends and leave a lasting impression.

Examples:

Here are a few short story examples that demonstrate effective storytelling:

1. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
2. “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway
3. “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry

Remember, writing a short story is a creative process, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different ideas and approaches. Keep this checklist in mind as you draft your story, but also trust your instincts as a writer. Once you’ve written your first draft, make sure to revise and edit, seeking feedback from others to ensure your story resonates with your intended audience.

So, take a deep breath, open your mind to new ideas, and start drafting your short story today!

Set a goal before you start

Before you begin writing a story, it’s important to set a goal for yourself. Having a clear goal in mind will help guide your writing process and give you a sense of direction. Here are some steps to help you set a goal:

1. Think about what kind of story you want to write: Consider the genre, theme, and tone of your story. Do you want to write a suspenseful thriller or a heartwarming romance? Knowing what kind of story you want to tell will help you focus your efforts.
2. Develop your characters: Create profiles for your protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters. Think about their desires, flaws, and motivations. This will help you conceive a complex and engaging story.
3. Introduce conflict: Every good story needs conflict to drive the plot forward. Think about what kind of conflict your characters will face and how it will affect them.
4. Create a scene-by-scene outline: Break down your story into acts and scenes, and outline the major events and developments that will take place. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure a logical and compelling narrative.
5. Keep your readers in mind: Think about who your target audience is and what they might enjoy. Consider their preferences and expectations, and make sure your story meets their needs.
6. Revise and revise again: Once you have written your first draft, don’t be afraid to make changes and revisions. Read through your story and spot any areas that need improvement. Take note of how your characters, scenes, and actions can be better developed.

Setting a goal before you start writing will help you stay focused and motivated throughout the writing process. It will also give you a roadmap to follow and ensure that your story has direction and purpose. So before you dive in, take a moment to think about what you want to achieve with your story and set a clear goal for yourself.

Develop a character

First, think about what your character wants. Every character should have a desire or goal that they are striving to achieve. This desire will shape their actions and drive the story forward. For example, a character might want to find true love or solve a mystery.

Next, consider the conflicts that your character will face. Conflict is what drives the story and keeps readers engaged. Characters should face both internal and external conflicts. Internal conflicts are struggles within the character’s own mind, while external conflicts are obstacles that they have to overcome in the outside world.

As you develop your character, think about their backstory and how it has shaped them into the person they are now. What secrets might they be hiding? What experiences have they had that have shaped their beliefs and values? Tapping into these aspects of their past will help build depth and complexity.

Another important aspect of character development is their relationships with other characters. Think about how your character interacts with others and how they are perceived by those around them. Are they likable or unlikable? How do they communicate and express their ideas?

To introduce your characters effectively, it’s often a good idea to show them in action rather than simply explain who they are. For example, you might show your character running through a bustling city street, or engaged in a heated debate with a coworker. These scenes help bring your character to life and give readers a glimpse into their personality.

One useful tip when developing characters is to think about the small details that make them unique. These can be physical traits, quirks, or specific mannerisms. For example, maybe your character always wears a specific hat or has a habit of tapping their foot when they’re nervous. These little details can make your character more memorable and relatable.

When it comes to character development, keep in mind that characters should evolve throughout the story. As they face challenges and overcome obstacles, they should grow and change. This growth can be a key factor in keeping readers engaged and invested in the characters’ journeys.

Finally, never be afraid to let your characters surprise you. Sometimes, as you write and draft, your characters might take actions or make choices that you didn’t originally plan. Instead of forcing them to stick to your outline, allow them to follow their own path. This can lead to unexpected plot twists and more authentic storytelling.

In summary, developing a character is an important step in the story drafting process. By creating well-rounded characters with desires, conflicts, and complex relationships, you can build a compelling and engaging narrative. Don’t be afraid to let your characters evolve and surprise you as you write. Remember, they are the heart and soul of your story.

How to Write a Short Story Step by Step

Writing a short story can be a challenging yet rewarding task. Whether you’re an experienced writer or just starting out, the following steps will guide you through the process of creating a well-crafted short story.

Step 1: Generate Ideas	Start by brainstorming and jotting down any ideas that come to your mind. You can also draw inspiration from real-life events, dreams, or even conversations you’ve had.
Step 2: Develop Your Characters	Create complex and relatable characters that readers can easily connect with. Make sure to give them flaws and desires that drive the story forward.
Step 3: Build the Setting	Introduce the readers to the world of your story by providing vivid descriptions of the setting. This will help them visualize the environment and immerse themselves in the narrative.
Step 4: Create Conflict	Every good story needs conflict. Develop a central conflict that your characters must face and overcome. This will keep readers engaged and eager to see how the story unfolds.
Step 5: Outline the Plot	Outline the key events and scenes that will take place in your story. This will help you stay organized and ensure that each scene contributes to the overall plot.
Step 6: Write the Draft	Now it’s time to put your ideas into words and write the first draft of your story. Don’t worry about perfection at this stage; simply focus on getting the words on paper.
Step 7: Edit and Revise	After you’ve completed the first draft, go back and carefully read through your work. Check for any grammatical errors, inconsistencies, or areas that need improvement.
Step 8: Show, Don’t Tell	One of the most important tips for effective storytelling is to show rather than tell. Instead of simply stating what happens, use descriptive language and engage the reader’s senses.
Step 9: Leave Room for Interpretation	Allow your readers to interpret the story and draw their own conclusions. Avoid spoon-feeding information and leave some aspects open-ended.
Step 10: Include a Memorable Ending	Make sure to give your story a satisfying and memorable ending. It should tie up loose ends and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

By following these steps, you can create a well-structured and engaging short story that will captivate your readers. Remember, storytelling is both a skill and an art, and with practice, you can continue to refine and enhance your storytelling abilities.

1 Start With an Idea

When it comes to drafting a story, it all begins with an idea. Every good story needs a central conflict, something that often drives the plot and drives the characters. This conflict could be something as simple as a character wanting to achieve a goal, or something much more complex, like a character dealing with internal struggles or external obstacles.

Before you start writing, it can be helpful to create a profile for each of your main characters. This will help you understand their desires, flaws, and motivations, which will in turn shape the actions and decisions they make throughout your story.

Once you have your idea and your character profiles, you can start to outline your story. Some writers like to plan out every scene in advance, while others prefer to leave their outline more open, allowing for more flexibility in the storytelling process.

For example, you might start with a general idea of where you want your story to go and the audience you want to target. From there, you can build your outline around key scenes or events that you know you want to include. Alternatively, you may start with a specific scene or moment in mind and then work backwards and forwards to build the rest of your story around it.

When developing your story idea, it’s also important to keep in mind the desires and motivations of your protagonists. What does each character want, and what actions will they take to try and achieve their goals? How will those desires and actions lead to conflict and drive the story forward?

Remember, not every idea will make for a good story. It’s important to critically evaluate your ideas and compare them against established storytelling structures and conventions. Ask yourself questions like: does this idea have enough conflict and tension to keep readers engaged? Does it have interesting and well-developed characters? Does it have a clear goal and a path for the protagonist to follow? If not, it might be time to go back to the drawing board and revise your idea.

Once you have a solid idea that you’re happy with, it’s time to start drafting your story. This is where the real fun begins! Set aside dedicated time to write and create a plan for how you will tackle the drafting process. Some writers prefer to write a first draft quickly, getting the main ideas down on paper without worrying too much about perfection. Others prefer to take a slower, more deliberate approach, carefully crafting each sentence and scene.

Regardless of your approach, it’s important to remember that the first draft is just that – a draft. Don’t be too hard on yourself if it doesn’t turn out exactly as you imagined. The important part is getting your ideas out of your head and onto the page. You can always come back and revise and refine your work later.

One tool that can be immensely helpful during the drafting process is the short story outline. This is a small, condensed version of your story that includes the main acts, scenes, and key moments. It can help you stay focused and organized as you write, and serve as a useful reference tool when you’re revising and editing.

So, before you start drafting your story, take the time to develop your idea, create compelling characters, and outline the main steps and actions that will drive your plot forward. Give your characters desires and goals, and think about the conflict that might arise from them. Let your imagination breathe, and make sure your story has a clear direction and goal. With a solid plan in place, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a compelling and engaging story.

2 Outline OR Conceive Your Characters

Once you have a general idea for your story, it’s time to start thinking about your characters. They are the protagonists and they will drive the narrative forward. Here are the steps to help you build your characters:

1. Introduce Your Characters:

Think about who your characters are and what they want. Give them desires and motivations that will fuel their actions and development throughout the story.

2. Create Character Profiles:

Write profiles for each of your main characters. Include details about their background, personality, strengths, weaknesses, and anything else that is relevant to your story.

3. Develop Their Flaws:

No character is perfect. Give your characters flaws that will create conflict and challenge them throughout the story.

4. Imagine Their Development:

Think about how your characters will change and grow over the course of the story. What lessons will they learn? How will their desires and motivations evolve?

5. Compare Their Profiles:

Take a step back and compare the profiles of your characters. Do they complement each other? Are there any inconsistencies or contradictions?

6. Set the Scene:

Think about where your story will take place. What is the setting like? How does it influence your characters and their actions?

Remember, your characters are the heart of your story. They need to be well-developed and believable in order to engage your audience. So take the time to breathe life into them and make them real on the page.

3 Write Scenes Around Conflict

Conflict is one of the key elements in storytelling. It drives the plot forward and creates tension and interest for the audience. As a writer, you should always try to include scenes that revolve around conflict in your story, whether it’s a small disagreement between characters or a major clash of ideals.

When drafting your story, think about the conflicts that your protagonist will face and how they will react to them. Will they struggle against external forces, like other people or situations, or will the conflict be internal, within themselves? It doesn’t matter what kind of conflict it is; what matters is that it helps move the story forward and develops the characters and their goals.

For example, let’s say your protagonist desires to become a professional athlete. In one of the earlier acts, you could write a scene where they compete in a crucial match and fall short of their goal. This creates conflict and sets up the development and growth of the protagonist as they strive to improve and try again.

To write effective scenes around conflict, keep the following tips in mind:

1. Bring conflict to every scene.	Every scene should have some form of conflict, whether it’s a small disagreement between characters or a major obstacle that the protagonist needs to overcome. This keeps the story engaging and helps maintain the audience’s interest.
2. Use conflict to develop characters.	Conflict provides an opportunity to reveal more about your characters and their motivations. How they react to conflict can tell the audience a lot about their personality and values.
3. Keep the conflict real and relatable.	Make sure the conflicts you create are believable and resonate with your audience. They should be able to empathize with the characters and understand their struggles.
4. Build conflict through action.	Conflict doesn’t have to be just verbal arguments; it can also be shown through physical actions or tense situations. Use the action to heighten the conflict and keep the audience engaged.
5. Revise and check for conflict in every draft.	As you revise your story, make sure to review each scene and check whether it includes conflict. If a scene doesn’t contribute to the overall conflict and development of the story, consider revising or removing it.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your story is well-written and keeps the audience engaged. Conflict is a powerful tool in storytelling, so make sure to use it effectively to bring your ideas to life and create a compelling narrative.

4 Write Your First Draft

Once you have developed your character profiles and outlined the basic structure of your story, it’s time to start writing your first draft. This is where you bring your ideas and desires to life on the page.

Before you begin, take a moment to note down any conflicts or key scenes you envision for your story. This will help guide your writing and ensure that each scene serves a purpose.

When writing your first draft, keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be perfect. This is just the first step in the writing process, and you can always revise and refine later. The most important thing is to get your story out of your head and onto the page.

Start by introducing your main characters and setting the scene. Let your readers get to know them by showing their actions, thoughts, and desires. You might consider including a small flaw or secret that adds depth to your characters.

As you build your story, you’ll want to include both action and dialogue. Show the main events and actions that move the plot forward, as well as conversations between characters that reveal their personalities and motivations.

Each scene should have a purpose and move the story forward. Ask yourself how each scene contributes to the overall plot, and make sure that every word and action serves a purpose.

Keep your audience in mind as you write. What do they want to see happen to your characters? What questions do you want them to ask? By keeping these questions in mind, you can create a story that will engage and captivate your readers.

Remember that your first draft is just the beginning. It’s okay if the writing isn’t perfect or if the plot doesn’t quite come together yet. The important thing is to get your ideas down on paper. You can always revise and refine later.

Once you’ve written your first draft, set it aside for some time. Take a break and come back to it with fresh eyes. This will give you a new perspective and allow you to see any areas that might need improvement.

In summary, when writing your first draft, don’t be afraid to let your ideas flow and make mistakes. Use your character profiles and story outline to guide you, but also allow yourself the freedom to conceive new ideas along the way. The secret to a great story is a combination of planning and spontaneity, so give yourself the permission to explore and let your creativity shine.

5 Step Away Breathe Revise

When it comes to writing a story, whether it’s a novel, short story, or article, the goal is to engage readers and keep them hooked until the very end. But how do you make sure your story is well-written and compelling? Enter the 5 Step Away Breathe Revise tool, a checklist for writers to help them bring their ideas to life.

Step 1: Start with a solid plan

Before you dive into writing, take the time to outline your story. This will help you keep track of your characters, their desires, and the conflicts that drive the plot. It’s also a good idea to imagine each scene in your mind before you start writing, so you have a clear picture of what you want to bring to life on the page.

Step 2: Introduce your characters

Every story needs compelling characters that readers can root for. Take the time to build a profile for each of your characters, including their desires, motivations, and flaws. As you write, make sure to introduce your characters in a way that hooks the reader and makes them want to keep turning the pages.

Step 3: Create conflict and action

A story without conflict is like a car without fuel – it won’t get very far. Introduce conflicts that challenge your characters and force them to grow and change. This could be an external conflict, such as a battle or a mystery, or an internal conflict, where your character wrestles with their own desires and fears. Remember to keep the action moving and the stakes high to keep readers engaged.

Step 4: Take a step back

Once you’ve written the first draft, take a step away from your story. Give yourself some time to breathe and gain perspective. This will help you see any flaws or areas that need improvement more clearly. It’s often helpful to compare your work to examples of well-written stories in the same genre, as this can help you spot any weaknesses or areas that might need strengthening.

Step 5: Revise and check for small details

When you come back to your story, read it with fresh eyes and a critical mindset. Look for any inconsistencies, plot holes, or areas where the story falls flat. Make sure your characters are consistent and their actions and dialogue make sense. Check for grammar and spelling errors, as well as any awkward phrasing. Finally, enlist the help of beta readers or critique partners to read your work and provide feedback.

By following these 5 steps, you can improve your writing and make your story more engaging and compelling. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, this tool can help you bring your ideas to life and keep your readers hooked until the very end.

6 Compare Against Our Short Story Checklist

When it comes to drafting a story, you want to make sure that you create a compelling and well-developed narrative. To help you achieve this, we have compiled a short story checklist to compare your work against:

1. Character Profiles: Have you created detailed profiles for your main and supporting characters? Are they well-rounded and believable?
2. Desire: Have you clearly indicated what each character wants or desires in the story?
3. Conflict: Is there a central conflict or problem that drives the story and creates tension?
4. Structure: Does your story follow a clear structure, such as a beginning, middle, and end?
5. Actions and Dialogue: Do your characters’ actions and dialogue reveal their personalities and move the story forward?
6. Revising and Editing: Have you revised and edited your story to ensure clarity and coherence?

By comparing your story against this checklist, you can identify any areas that may need improvement or revision. For example, if your characters’ desires are unclear, you may need to spend more time developing their motivations. Or, if there is a lack of conflict, you could introduce a new obstacle for your protagonist to overcome.

Remember, the most important step in drafting a story is to keep your audience in mind. Think about what they might desire from a story and whether your narrative meets those expectations. Use this checklist as a tool to build a strong foundation for your story and ensure that it resonates with readers.

Once you have completed these steps, you can compare your story against the checklist again to see if you have addressed all the key elements. If not, don’t be afraid to revise and make adjustments until your story meets all the criteria.

For a real-world example, imagine you are writing a short story set in a small town. You want to introduce three main characters: Sarah, a shy teenager; Mark, a charismatic artist; and Anna, a wise old woman. Each character has their own desire, whether it’s Sarah wanting to overcome her social anxiety, Mark desiring recognition for his art, or Anna seeking to pass on her wisdom. As the story progresses, you can show the characters’ actions and dialogue to illustrate their personalities and development. By using this checklist, you can ensure that you’re on the right track with your story development and create a compelling narrative.

Falling action

After the climax, the falling action is the part of the story where the conflict starts to resolve and the story begins to wind down. This is the time for the writer to tie up loose ends and bring the story to a satisfying conclusion. It is a crucial part of storytelling that gives closure to the reader or audience.

Before you can write the falling action, it is important to have a clear idea of the conflict and resolution that you want to achieve. As mentioned earlier in this article, you should have a well-developed plot and strong character profiles that include the desires, motivations, and flaws of each character. These structures will guide you in crafting the falling action of your story.

In this part of your story, you might want to introduce the final scenes that bring resolution to the conflict. However, you should also take note that not every loose end needs to be tied up. Leaving a few unanswered questions or unresolved issues can add depth and intrigue to the story, as long as it doesn’t leave the audience feeling unsatisfied. This is where your storytelling skills come into play, as you need to balance the desire for closure with the need to leave some room for interpretation.

Here are some tips to help you draft the falling action of your story:

1. Start by revising the climax and making sure that it sets up the falling action. Check if the resolution is consistent with the conflict introduced earlier.
2. Conceive the falling action as a series of scenes that bring your characters closer to their goals or desires. Each scene should move the plot forward and reveal more about the characters.
3. Keep in mind that the falling action should act as a bridge between the climax and the resolution. It should bring closure to the conflict and ease the tension built up in the story.
4. Build upon the earlier established conflict and introduce new elements or challenges for your characters to overcome.
5. Make sure that the falling action doesn’t feel rushed or abrupt. Take your time to develop the scenes and allow the story to breathe.
6. Use this part of the story to reveal any secrets or hidden motivations that might have been hinted at earlier.

By following these steps and using the falling action as a tool to bring your story to a satisfying conclusion, you can create a well-rounded and engaging narrative. Remember to check for any inconsistencies or flaws in your storyline, and revise accordingly. Whether you plan your story in advance or discover it as you go along, the falling action is an important part of the storytelling process that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Video:

Beginner’s Guide To Writing A Story – Tony DuShane