In the world of storytelling, we often discuss universal story building blocks like scene structure and character development. But today, I want to delve into something a bit more personalized—your unique story building blocks. These are elements that resonate deeply with you as a writer and naturally flow in your creative process.
In my case, all my story ideas usually begin with a pivotal scene—usually the climax or the reveal. Sometimes, I don’t draft this scene immediately; instead, I note it down and let it simmer.
From there, about two to five elements emerge first. For example, in the YA fantasy saga I’m currently writing, in my head, the story unfolds primarily through two elements: death and dialogue, with the magic system being a distant third. I know who dies and what the main characters say to each other, and these elements become the framework around which I build the rest of the story. Other elements, like the setting and the rest of the plot events, come later, evolving through a process I like to think of as “responsive plotting.”
Responsive plotting is about allowing your story to develop organically in response to the key elements you’ve identified. It’s a dynamic and flexible approach that can be particularly effective for both discovery writers and plotters during the writing phase. It involves:
- Listening to Your Story’s Natural Rhythm: Let your narrative unfold at its own pace, following the lead of your key elements.
- Allowing Room for Evolution: As your story progresses, be open to changes and developments that might arise from your initial building blocks.
Tips for Identifying and Leveraging Your Personal Story Building Blocks
- Reflect on Patterns: Look back at your past works, story ideas, or drafts. Are there recurring themes or elements that jump out at you? These could be your unique building blocks.
- Embrace Natural Flow: Allow yourself to write what comes easiest first. If it’s dialogue or a particular scene, start there. You can always fill in the gaps later. So instead of letting what’s currently missing in your draft bog you down, focus on your strengths to keep the inspiration and words flowing.
- Make Notes for Later: If you’re focusing on a specific element, like dialogue, and know it needs more context or action, make a quick note. Remind yourself to expand upon it in future revisions.
- First Draft Freedom: Remember, the first draft is just for you. It can be messy and incomplete. The goal is to get the most crucial elements of your story out of your head and onto the page. The subsequent drafts are where you refine and prepare your story for the reader, filling in the rest of the necessary building blocks.
This approach might resonate particularly with discovery writers, but it’s also relevant for plotters during their writing phase. You might find that certain elements come more naturally to you and can act as anchors in your storytelling. These elements could be consistent across all your works or might vary with each story.
Your unique story building blocks are one of your most reliable tools in crafting a narrative. They are the aspects of storytelling that feel most natural and compelling to you. Listen to them and let them guide your writing so you can complete your first draft.
If you need help identifying your story building blocks or want to learn more about responsive plotting, reach out to me at PassKey Publishing—I’m here to help you bring your stories to life!
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