Reprinted from an article that appeared in Flash Fiction Chronicles in June, 2009
Content, structure, and language work together
No one element can make a story work. Many
writers use a series of steps—brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revision,
editing, and proofreading—to juggle content, structure, and language. The order
of each step is a matter of choice and fluctuates with story ideas. Here is my
preference:
- To create content:
brainstorm, free-write, draft a first draft
- To apply structure:
outline first draft, then draft second draft
- To perfect language:
revise, edit, and proofread
Content refers to the subject matter of a story
Allow the story to blossom |
The
who, what, when, where, and how of a specific idea.
A
character (the protagonist) finds himself in a difficult situation at a certain
time and place and must deal with that situation.
How
the protagonist deals with the situation depends on the protagonist’s wants,
character, and the nature of the obstacles he must overcome.
Content
provides the “story question or problem” that propels the protagonist through
the plot and ultimately reveals a universal theme, a jolt, an epiphany, some
small observance of life.
Content
evolves from a premise, notes, a rough draft, research, observation, plus the
attitudes and concerns of the writer.
Structure refers to the basic organization of a story
Unfold the story for maximum effect |
Just
as a play is divided into three acts, most stories have three main segments.
The opening (Act 1) gives a story focus and
meaning by providing the premise, setting, and tone of the story as well as
hints at the nature of obstacles the protagonist will face.
The main body of the story (Act 2, which I
like to split into 2A and 2B) focuses on the protagonist’s actions to resolve
the story problem.
The conclusion (Act 3) reveals the results of
the protagonist’s struggle and infuses that struggle with meaning.
Each
segment of a story has a similar structure: the overall story as well as each
chapter, each scene within the chapter, each beat within the scene
Structure also involves other devices such as set-ups and pay-offs, sub-plots, and the shaping of structure specifically to content.
Structure evolves from outlines, note-taking, drafts or a combination of the three.
Language refers the diction and style used to express a story’s idea
Choose precise language |
Diction
refers the specific words that are chosen.
Style
refers to how those words are combined, the order, the length of sentences and
includes the use of literary devices such as metaphor, symbolism, and allusion.
Grammar
keeps writing clear and understandable.
Language evolves from revision and rhythm.
Process is what brings these three basic components of composition together
The rough draft is about content…making it up. The second draft is about structure…making sense. The third draft is about language…making it clear. The fourth draft is about perfection…making it publishable.
Actually, the steps to the writing process
bleed into each other like ink dropped from a leaky pen over one spot. The
blotches don’t land in exactly the same place, but they seep beyond each
other’s borders, and create a new kind of art.
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