What Story Structure and Gift Wrap Have in Common

Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net Have you ever wanted to write a story but you waited because you weren’t sure how you wanted to tell it?  Have you ever sat down and had a long discussion with yourself about whether you should use first person, or third person?  Past tense or present tense?  Start it here then move it back in time, or start it now and jump it forward in time?  One narrator or several? 


And on and on it goes. 


If you get an idea for a story just start writing it.  Really.  Just start.  Don’t worry about structure. 
And here’s why: The right structure evolves naturally from the story – and until you start writing you don’t have a story. 


The fact is trying to decide on structure before you start writing your story is a bit like trying to wrap a gift before you actually buy it.  You don’t know yet if you’ll be wrapping a sweater, a diamond ring or a refrigerator.


So just start writing.  Discover your story.  The best way to tell it will naturally evolve from there.