I was reading this short-story a while back. As I was half way through it, I realised something felt uneasy. Though my reader-self relishes short-stories (because they can be done with sooner and the ending is known in just a page or two), this one was oddly trying. It didn’t take long for me to figure out why—the story lacked the basic ingredient for far too long.
Problems, as I’ve discussed before here and here, fuel stories. There is no piece interesting enough in which all that happens is boy meets girl and they flee to get married—living happily ever after. Where’s the proverbial wicked father? Or the ex-lover planting more problems in their lives? That’s yawn-invoking, tepid even. If you want a real deal, think preposterous, nefarious and troublesome.
We savour happiness in real life. Only if it were okay to emulate happy times in stories too. Guess what? It is not.
Also note that a reader reads your book only to escape from what she has been going through already. Their outlook is on the lines of “what’s-in-it-for-me?” and that’s fair enough. So if all your book does is ape the real-life, mundane details, it won’t be note-worthy. What you need is a recipe.
Take some of the plot, add trouble to it, shake and then add some more. After a lot of alternate adding/shaking, garnish with accolades of protagonist’s triumph. (Or better yet, bring in more problems, kill someone, if the story is dystopian.)
Now remember, when you’re preparing an elixir of stories, be sure not to bring in trouble like it’s coming from nowhere. For example, don’t do this: Your protagonist finally wins that trophy and just as they walk the aisle to receive it, a nearby tree tumbles, killing them. That would be unbelievable in a not-so-good-way. You want unbelievable, but in a good way. Good for the strength of your story.
The moral? Avoid mundane; invite trouble, lots of it; but don’t go over the top and “invent” it. Let it gradually emerge from the story itself.
Your thoughts writers?
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Tags: author, creative writer, dystopian, fiction writing, new writers, novel writing, novelist, recipe for stories, short stories, story writing tips, story-writing
Great advice, BrownEyed. Nothing like a cocktail of plot, trouble, and problems for a satisfying nightcap. Ahhh.
It’s been fun, but it’s time to ruin someone’s (my main character’s) day now!
Thanks J
Haha yes, head over to shake ‘em up!
-BrownEyed
I expect you’re right about what readers expect . . .
In the writing context, I’m experimenting with a novel where the conflict lies only in conquering the past, by living “happily ever after” in the Here and Now.
Namaste
Wow that sounds like some plot. Would be interested to read
-BrownEyed
The best short story I ever read was Suffer the Little Children by Stephen King (yes I’m a bit of a horror/fiction junky). The Boogeyman is another good one by the same author. They are both just beyond creepy and that is usually what drives me to page-turn; something that is beyond anything I have ever thought of.
To add to the latter conversation, I think another good element of a good story is good characters. The plot can be amazing and troublesome to boot, but if you don’t care about the characters because they are boring and unlikeable -then you’re not going to care if they fall and break their neck!
Hmm…Stephen King happens to be a favourite of many
So nothing creepy about it–although his stories are.
I agree; characters are always an important ingredient, like I talk in first one of the links mentioned above. No doubt about it!
Thanks for adding that bit.
-BrownEyed
All I ever wrote was about someone going through a lot of trouble. Readers don’t really want to read about someone living happily ever after. They rather read about someone going through a lot of trouble to maybe some day achieve that happily ever after. I am as a reader more interested in drama than comedy. As a writer I have more fun writing about troubles than writing about happiness. Hope it makes sense…
It does make sense. And am sure your readers enjoy your stories. I do enjoy your writing at your blog myself
-BrownEyed
I’m not a writer.
But for my part. this does make a lot of sense
If not a writer, am sure you’re a reader
(We all are.) And, a creative thinker too.
-BrownEyed
I think that gradually bringing in conflict is one of the most important tips for a writer. You have to set things up, foreshadow them, drop hints here and there, throw in a decoy or two to distract them, so it isn’t so obvious, and yes, it will taste delicious.
Thanks Ollin. You’re spot on!
-BrownEyed
Excellent post! Us humans like to read about a bit of gloom and doom along the way…it makes us feel a bit better about our own lives
Thank you lovely. Definitely, well-said!
-BrownEyed
Without conflict there is no story…so adding trouble always helps
I love your analogy of an “elixir of stories.”
Just one point to mention — I don’t think readers only read to escape. I think commiseration is something not to be overlooked. But again, they’re only going to turn the page if we keep things interesting…
Thank You
Oh yes, commiseration is one point not to be overlooked. Thanks for bringing that to the table, Amanda. That’s when your readers start rooting for your characters. They cheer for them. And that’s the secret to it all
-BrownEyed
That’s a fantastic way to think of the approach to a story as a reader. . . really never occurred to me before to put in such self-serving terms as, “What’s in it for me?”
A jolt out of everyday life! Writing is a service rendered, I guess. I wonder why we’re such suckers for happy endings and horrible middles?
Thank you Connor. I am glad this was of some help.
Oh, and honestly? I’ve wondered that for far too long myself. No luck yet
except for a plain “it’s human” answer.
-BrownEyed
I absolutely agree with this, and it must be why I’m so bad at fiction myself! I get too wrapped up in the mundane and my “trouble” never feels organic. Next time I try my hand at fiction, I will be referencing this post. Creative writing has just never been my strong suit–I’ve always said that if only my life were a tad more interesting, creative non-fiction would be the direction I’d go in. [There I go again, blaming my boring life instead of my sub-par writing skills!
]
Personally, I read and write more non-fiction myself. This is not to say I don’t like fiction, but somehow my biased affinity lies with creative non-fiction. And I speed-read normally, grasping nuggets in the piece at hand as fast as I can! It’s sort of an achievement
Funny but true.
But hey, hey, hey. You don’t have to blame yourself for anything. I am sure there’s creative juices hidden inside you–it just needs time to come out. Try a hand at fiction, for example, and try infusing more trouble as you go. See what comes out, and never judge yourself too harsh.
I wish you good luck.
-BrownEyed
Wow! I missed this party. But I agree 100%. The farthest point from mundane is exhileration. Inject your stories with a little OH-MY-GOSH-THAT-DID-NOT-JUST-HAPPEN and I’m there reading!
Great post as always!
You didn’t miss anything, Ol
You’re always welcome, anytime!
See….? Exactly the expression I’m talking about. Glad you put it so right. Thanks.
-BrownEyed