Creative Writing 101: Building A Story From Scratch

From stories around the fire, to cave scratchings and hieroglyphs, storytelling was born from human expression, and that expression became words. But a good story is more than a random selection of words, it needs a lot of creativity, and even more imagination. Creatively writing a story is an opportunity to build universes, give birth to fascinating characters and take readers on a voyage of magic and intrigue. We all have a story to tell, but in order to tell it well, it will need a certain level of structure and forward planning. 



Here at the Creative Writing Academy we have put together a basic guide to get you started. Whether you are a budding writer or someone looking to brush up on your skills, this guide will help you navigate the process of building a story from scratch. So, let's open this first chapter together!

Finding Your Inspiration

They say everyone has a book inside them. This may be true but what it really means is, everybody has a story to tell. Sitting down to a blank page can be a daunting task and searching for inspiration can often feel like staring into the abyss. But inspiration is all around, you just need to be open to it. Look around you. It may be your neighbour, your work or even something in a dream. Anything can ignite that first flame, all you need to do is follow it. Explore different themes, genres and approaches. And read, always read!

Creating Your Characters

At the centre of every story are the characters and the story is driven by the decisions those characters make. A writer will create characters who take on a life of their own and can even eventually surprise the writer. A fully formed character will come alive on the page to the point where a writer feels like they are their friends. When creating your characters, begin with a character bible. There may be information in that bible that you will never use, but it is part of the fabric of the character you are building and will enrich their presence as though they are real. Include details like where they grew up, what they eat, what music they like, all of the mundane everyday things that make up a personality. Flawed characters are often more relatable and when well developed, even a villain can be sympathetic to a reader. In essence, characters are the story!

Setting the Scene

The “where and when” of a story is as integral to the plot as the characters. If you are choosing a particular city or a period in time, make sure it is relevant to the story and offers additional sustenance to the world you are building. It can also be a fictional place where nothing is as it seems, but if you are going to create a whole universe, you need to know what it feels like, what it smells like. You need to know it better than you know your own home town.

Crafting the Plot

A plot will have a beginning, middle and an end but it is up to the writer to decide the order in which they will tell the story. As the story unfolds, the reader must feel a desire to continue reading and while creating suspense and intrigue are brilliant devices to keep a reader interested, it must be done with the appropriate pace of the story in mind. A good story is not told at the same pace from beginning to end, so think about the beats of the tale. There must be an introduction to the world and the characters, a conflict (or three) then a point of no return. And to finish, a reader will want closure. Even an open-ended story needs to finish with a sense of resolution.

Writing with Style

Finding your voice is the holy grail of every writer. It may not come easy and you may not even recognise it when you have found it but the only true path to discovering your personal style, is experimentation. Write outside of your comfort zone. If you fear writing in the first-person for example, try keeping a diary, or write short memoirs, you may surprise yourself. Every sentence is sacred and each word is at pains to exist. How you choose to arrange them is where your personal voice lives.

Revising and Editing

There is a great sense of accomplishment when arriving at the “The End” of a piece of writing, but in many ways, the end is just the beginning. Writing is quite literally, rewriting. As long as the writer is aware of this, it should not be disheartening. When you finish your first draft, take some time away from the story and then revisit it with fresh eyes and a more objective perspective. Find plot holes, character weaknesses and areas where the story is lagging. In William Faulkner's infamous words, you mustn't be afraid to “kill all your darlings”. The goal is the story and if a character or scene is not pushing the story forward, kill it! Although a writer is aware that many drafts and edits will be required, there is no need to create additional work for yourself. Always be mindful of spelling, grammar and syntax. They are your friends.

Sharing Your Story

Joining a writing group is a great way to get feedback on your work in progress. It helps to thicken your skin as a writer but also gives insights into your writing that you may not catch yourself. You don’t have to take on every critique and there is nothing wrong with disagreeing with readers, but remaining open and objective is always of benefit to the writing.

The final step is to get your work out into the world. Whether it’s a novel, a book of poetry, a film script or a play, there are roads that need to be walked. Literary agents are a good start. They tend to have strict submission guidelines, as do publishers. But try and try again. It can take a long time but nothing worth doing comes easily.

Creative writing is a world building, character creating fascinating spelunk into your own mind. Writers describe their characters as real people and a talking pig or flying elephant can be as real as the air we breathe. We may all have a story to tell but if you wish to tell it in a compelling, intriguing and beautiful way, there are skills and practices that will help you. Find your inspiration, build your world, and write, write, write.

If you are bursting with ideas but just can’t seem to stick to one, or maybe you have written story after story but they are just not working for you, perhaps all you need is a little guidance? Take a look at our academy where you will find a variety of courses to suit your needs. Whether you are scribbling poems on napkins or are a published author and screenwriter, we have the course for you. So get typing and enrol now!