Azaria M.J. Durant's Blog, page 4

The Three Elements of Story

There are many different components that make up a story, and all of these can be divided into three basic categories; plot, setting, and character. I will talk about each of these at length in the future. Right now, my purpose is to define each element for you and begin to break them down to give you a clearer understanding of your story as it comes together.

Plot:

The first of the three elements of story is plot. Plot is the current which pulls your story forward, the star that guides it to its destination. Any plot you have or will ever come across has and will have the same basic structure:

The incident that calls your hero to some kind of action
The ‘quest’ which your hero sets out on to fulfil the goal of the story
The outcome, whether your hero wins or loses

Plot is important because it is what we as readers know as  the story. The ‘once upon a time’; the reason readers pick up a book. Of course, setting and character are major factors. Without good characters, the plot is bland, and without a structured setting, nothing makes sense. But plot is overall the backbone of a story and must be structured well, or the story will fall apart.

Setting: 

The second of the three elements is setting. Setting is the foundation on which a story is formed; the thread binding all things together. It is not just telling us that the sky is a marvellous shade of azure, although that is important as well.  There is so much more to setting than the immediate surroundings of your character during the story. In its full definition, setting of a story would include the following:

History of the world and peoples
Economies
Cultures
People groups and races
Politics
Legend and Lore
Climates
Geography
Mystical or alien cultures (if applicable) and their backgrounds
The immediate surroundings of your character during the story

I am probably forgetting some factors, but you get the idea. Setting is everything about the world that makes it unique. A unique, well structured setting makes a story world feel authentic and real, and keeps the readers captivated.

Characters:

The third of these elements is characters. This would be the element of the story that I feel is most appreciated and loved, as the characters are what give meaning to the plot and setting in the eyes of the reader.  They are the ones we care about and that stay with us long after the story is over. Here is a list of the type of characters usually involved in a story:

Protagonist
Antagonist
Main characters
Allies (or anti-villains)
Villains (or anti-heroes)
Love interest(s)
Side characters
Extras/unnamed characters
Animals

I would encourage extensive focus on all three areas, but if you had to focus on just one, my advice would be to focus on the characters. A bad plot and blurry setting can be made up for with good, well structured, engaging characters. However, if the characters are bland, the entire story will be disappointing for the reader.

Ideally, however, it is good to work on the three equally. A book with well developed plot, setting, and characters will be memorable, and may even make the bestsellers list.

 

Lets discuss this! Which of the three (plot, setting, and character) do you think are most important? Let me know in the comments!

Five Valuable Lessons I Learned From Being A Writer

When my journey of writing began nine years ago, I never considered where I would be in ten years, though I never questioned that I would still be writing. I had a very different picture of what writing was than I have now. I thought I just had to put some words on a page and sign a deal with a publisher to become rich and famous! It was only after I started that I realised just what kind of a mess I had gotten myself into.

Don’t get me wrong — I have always and will always love writing. But I had a lot to learn before I was any good at it or really truly knew what it meant to be a writer.

And learn I did! Every time I open my laptop and start to type, I learn a little more about myself and my writing than I did before. Now, I would like to let you in on some of the insights I have learned over the years.

So here they are! The five most valuable lessons I learned from being a writer.

1. Write for you.

Why do you write? Is it for so-and-so who says that you’re a good writer and should give it a go? It is for your avid fans who got a taste of your story and want more? Is it for your friends? Your beta readers? If you answered yes to any of those, then you need to check your priorities.

Don’t get me wrong; writing with the reader in mind is a good thing. But if the sole purpose of your writing is for someone else, how can it be personally fulfilling? And how will you be able to motivate yourself to want to continue that writing? After all, if your heart isn’t in it, your readers will know it.

Write for you.

 

2. Write every day, but make sure to set aside time for life. 

When I leapt into writing, it was a novelty (no pun intended). I wrote every day for as long as I could and, truth be told, that hasn’t changed much. Once I started writing, it was the only thing I ever wanted to do. I still get that I can only remember a handful of days in the past six years where I didn’t write/edit at least a sentence in my then work in progress. I still get that same childish exhilaration every time I open up my laptop to write.

I am a firm believer in writing every day. I may, however, take that too far and forget to set aside time to do other things, like spend time with my family.  This is something I’m still learning, to be honest.

Not is taking a break good for family life, but it also helps to rest your mind from writing for a while (despite my inner resistance of this truth).  Just as long as you remember to pick up the pen once again.

3. Writer’s block has a quick and easy fix.

I will say this outright: I do not believe that writer’s block exists.

Yes, there are times when you get stuck and don’t know where to go next. There are times when your brain tells you it is time for a break the moment you open up your page to start writing. There are times when the internet is calling your name. But you cannot let any of these things stop you. You see, the fix is very simple.

Mind over matter. You have to keep writing.

I know. People say that all the time. But it’s true. Personally, I don’t get writers block. I get a bout of laziness that hits me when I reach a stumbling block. The only way past that block is to push through it. Excuses don’t help. Just write.

4. Find your writing environment.

Is it a certain genre of music? Peace and quiet? A cup of tea and a blanket? A typewriter and some coffee? Whatever way you write best, do it. Make yourself comfortable, turn off your wifi, and write. Writing comfortably is the best way to get your creative juices flowing.

The ideal writing environment for me is epic instrumental or deeply emotional soundtrack, a cup of tea, a box of mint chocolates, and my laptop.

I also like to write at my own pace, but I know others who prefer to do word wars and set goals to reach. Whatever way you write is the right way for you.

5. Don’t let yourself be discouraged. 

The mind of a writer is a marvellous creature from a whole other dimension, and as self-destructive as they come. For the first while I was happy with my writing, but then these ideas started coming to me, filling my head with destructive thoughts about my writing. I would never be good enough. Why should I even bother writing such rubbish?

Not only is your mind there to tell you all of these helpful things, outside influences can be there to discourage you as well. A couple of years back, I attended a summer camp and some of the girls asked me what I did for fun. I said I was a writer. They glanced at one another, sharing a knowing look, and then one of them snorted. “Everyone thinks they’re a writer nowadays,” she said, and they walked away.

I stood there for a moment, angry and humiliated. Amid it all, I felt this odd peace. Because I knew that they were wrong. I was a writer. And I would accomplish my goals. What they said didn’t matter.

The moral of the story is that most of the time, people won’t believe in you. The goal is to believe in yourself so that nothing can shake you.

 

So there you have it!

What has your writing experience taught you? Let me know in the comments!