Use Storytelling Instincts To Learn
How To Write a Story

If you ask people if they know how to write a story, most will flinch and say "No!" If you ask them to tell you what happened last night when they almost started supper on fire, you'll probably hear a good story.

Even if it rambles and digresses a bit.

With a little editing and thought, that person could probably write that story.


The Short and Long of It

When you put it in perspective, knowing how to write a story means you know how to write a novel. The two are entangled like vine and trellis.

Basically, a novel is just a long story. That's why hearing your best friend lament about how her husband never lifts a finger to help with the kids tickles your muse into creating a story of it. And if it has enough detail, a complete novel.

However, you have to have a lot more than a friend's complaint to create a complete story, even a short one.

That's where plot comes in. Much fiction is no more than an exaggeration of something we might see in life. (Life isn't nearly as entertaining, nor believable.) So start with that story seed and begin pushing it this way and that, adding possible characters , plot twists and complications.


Entertain and Illuminate

Ever noticed how people act in certain situations? How the friend who has trouble making ends meet can't help himself when he sees the next big thing that'll make him money?

How the more tired the mom or dad is, the more the kids get away with?

While neither of the previous examples is profound, they still tell us something about human nature. Sometimes those who are always broke bring it on themselves. Sometimes parents are too tired to control their kids behavior.

I've talked about human nature and it's close tie to book themes . Maybe the seed for your story is more of a theme about how humans are. (We're crazy, right?) Figure out how to write a story using that theme by creating scenarios that illustrate it.

For example, our spender could be married to a sweet woman who tries to curb his habit. They have three kids, and they're barely making it from paycheck to paycheck. He keeps coming home with another scheme to make money quickly (like that ever works), frittering away any slack they have.

Then, one of the children is badly hurt in an accident. And they need money he's wasted on his latest plan to make them rich.

Take it from there, and you've got the start of a good story. Plan it out, figure out if he can overcome his human nature when his kid is in dire straits. See, you know how to write a story!

After all, when you tell stories, you're usually trying to either entertain or enlighten your listeners. Use what you see every day to create the stories you write. If they're funny or poignant, all the better. You'll entertain us with your insight while you show us how some people are.


Practice Makes Perfect... Or Better, Anyway

I can't say it often enough. Write every day. Or as close to every day as you can. Even if you only have ten minutes, you have time to practice how to write a story.

Find fiction writing prompts to get your mind whirring with ideas, then write for ten minutes, half-hour, whatever amount you can. Practice dialogue one day and description the next.

Do some character outlines for your next novel idea. Plot the beginning of your novel, deciding what you'll use as a hook.

If you've already written part of your novel, try to write another page, or ten. A chapter, if you have the time.

Just write. Because if you do, soon you'll be an expert on how to write a story.