There are some more generic paradigms which can be used in story structure. Outlining has helped me and provides a mile high view of a story I write. Zooming into each major plot point is like adjusting lenses on a telescope or something. Writing by the seat of one's pants is fun, but only works practically on a very ground level perspective.
Mofunova8 :puddicat_touchtail: :senko_tail: (nprofile…hk5e), here are a few tips I've gleaned over the years:
CHARACTERS:
- This is a bit arguable, but unless you're writing wisdom literature, hard sci-fi, or something like the Decameron or the Arabian Nights, characters are going to make or break your story
- While there are many "interview your character" sketch templates online, the one I have found the most useful is this one: https://files.catbox.moe/v1cbw2 .
- Usually you will want to pick two to four centrsal characters (even for longer/novel length works) and throw them into some-kind-of-situation together wherein they will have to interact in depth; that "some-kind-of-situation" will be the plot of your story
PLOT:
- Outlines are your friend, despite what pantsers say
- The most important element of the plot is the satisfaction or denial of a desire of your main protagonist; arguably, the core plotline of any story is "someone wants something"; what your characters want can be gleaned from the sketch in the link above
- You want to get your characters from one plot point to the next, and this can be done in a variety of ways; however, the most interesting ways usually involve making things as difficult as possible for your characters. Do not shy away from being cruel to them; make them work for what they want. Yes, this will mean more work for you as the author, but that's what writing is: a craft which requires hard work. Depending on your genre, this may require some world-building.
If you want more advice, send me a DM and we can brainstorm something.
𝓕𝓾𝓷𝓴𝔂 Starr 🇦🇱🤠🚀🚙 (nprofile…vl2z), if you establish that Matrix room, please let me know. I would love to be a part of it.