Creative Writing

1
Creative Writing

• Over the next several weeks we will be learning
  how to write fictional stories. Contrary to what
  some of you may believe, there are standards that
  you can learn and correct ways to write good
  fiction.

2
Descriptive Language

• To write effective fiction, you must use
  descriptive language. The more concrete you can
  be in describing, the better your fiction. BE
  SPECIFIC! Compare the following
• She sat down to breakfast.
• She plopped down on the hard wooden chair she
  looked down at her breakfast grayish eggs,
  burned toast, and water.

3
Characters

• You need to try to create interesting characters.
  In order to do this, you must know them very
  well. In fact, if you dont know the color of
  their toothbrush, what they do when they get mad,
  or what they think of their grandmother, you
  probably dont have a fully developed character.

4
Characters

• You have a few things to consider when selecting
  a name for your characters.
• Dont pick a long name.
• Pick a name that fits your character.
• Dont pick a name because it is your favorite.

5
Plot

• You will also need to think about creating an
  interesting plot. Your story must have a
  beginning, a middle and an end. You need to have
  a problem as well as a solution. This is often
  talked about in terms of conflict, rising action,
  climax, falling action and resolution.

6
Plot

• A dull story is like a dull meal at a
  restaurant. Patrons dont complain, but they
  dont come back (Minot 28).
• You need to create tension. Do this by creating
  conflict.
• You need to make your reader curious about what
  will happen next.
• You need to create suspense.

7
Plot

• Dont go overboard when creating your conflict.
  TRY A SUBTLE APPROACH!
• Dont try to SHOCK your reader by writing about
  something tragic or sad.
• Dealing with a tragic car crash, a serious
  illness, family problems and going to jail are
  too major for an effective short story.
• Dont forget Be Subtle!

8
Plot

• Your character must change in some way before the
  end of your story. If your character doesnt
  change, then your story will be pointless to your
  readers.
• Your characters change can be small--they might
  have a new sense of hope, a new respect for their
  mom, etc.

9
Dialogue

• Dialogue is essential to a fictional story.
• Dialogue tags are used to help the reader know
  who is talking. (he said/she said)
• Descriptive dialogue tags help the reader know
  who is talking and add description. (Excellent
  work, Mrs. Garrison said, flipping through the
  students stories.)

10
Dialogue

• Dont overuse- she heckled - she laughed - he
  yelped. They often take away from the movement of
  the dialogue.
• It is okay to use - he yelled - she whispered -
  I screamed. These are okay, because they can be
  performed with words. But, descriptive dialogue
  tags are really your best bet!

11
Dialogue

• Vary your dialogue. Try to use a combination of
  tagless dialogue, descriptive tags and simple
  tags.
• Dont use a long tag if you already have long
  dialogue. It becomes too wordy and slows down
  your reader!

12
Getting Started

• I have found that an excellent way to get started
  on a story is to develop a fictional character.
  Think a lot about what the character likes and
  dislikes. What is their greatest fear? Often
  times, a story will develop from there.
• You may have an issue that you feel strongly
  about. Sometime this can develop into a story or
  plot.

13
Creative Writing

• Start thinking about your main character as well
  as the conflict in your story.