How to Become a Good Narrative Writer

Narrative writers are essentially story tellers. Excellent descriptive skills, a strong vocabulary and creativity are essential when you are trying to create an image in your readers mind. Laying out a story can be challenging and exciting at the same time, but is always an expressive process. Here are some tips to help you get it just right.

Usually a story starts at the beginning, climaxes, and then ties up loose ends. There are many creative ways to get from point A to point B, and sometimes you can even mix up the steps. One key thing to remember is that your story must be vivid and captivating all the way through. When you write, there are ways to check your work for quality and to be sure you are not missing any points.

1. Choose which story to tell. Developing your story is the first and most important step. When you do this, you should be considering your characters in depth, and what role they will play. There should be a conflict and a resolution; of course, you can have more than one conflict, but choose a main theme to center your story upon. It is like choosing the message in a speech or the main idea in an essay. You also want to know as much as you can about your setting; not only the place, but the time of your story too. If you are unfamiliar with your setting you should research it thoroughly. Beginners, however, should be focused on getting comfortable with the writing process and should try to write about a time and place they are already familiar with.


2. Draw an outline; include timelines, character development, and milestones. Don’t forget your key points when mapping out your story: introduction, climax and conclusion. Use bullet points or numbers to follow cohesive steps or events. If you are using a technique that does not follow a sequential timeline, like flashbacks or fantasy sequences, you should have those laid out so that they make sense in your timeline. Every time you describe an event ask yourself what will happen next, cause and effect play a big part in story-telling. When you work on your opening, try to choose a dynamic, attention getting introduction; pull your reader into the story and then give them a reason to keep reading.


3. Focus on your descriptive details. Always use active verbs rather than passive ones, like “she teaches” as opposed to “she is taught.”  Elaborate on significant scenes and try to set a mood or tone for each event. A descriptive story keeps readers interested. Nevertheless, you should keep in mind that over-detailing a story can make it tedious. Balance your setting with your actual event, and focus on important details instead of erroneous ones. Nobody wants to read about the color of embroidered flowers on a wall tapestry in a castle throne room where a prince kneels on a velvet-covered knee to beg the hand of a bejeweled princess; they just want to know that the grand ballroom was the perfect setting for the royal proposal.


4. Let the first draft marinate once you have finished writing your story. Go into another room, have a cup of tea, watch television, or (even better) read another story. Give yourself about 24 hours. If you are trying to meet a deadline or you are just short for time, at least wait until you can look at the piece with fresh eyes. Read your story out loud when you come back to it. Ask yourself if you are missing any pieces, and edit accordingly. Then, when you know that the whole tale has been told, proofread it twice. The first time you will go over it for grammatical and spelling mistakes. Scour the piece with an unforgiving eye. Take another break, at least 30 minutes this time, and then go over it again and make corrections.

When you are through revising and editing you will have a story well told. Sometimes writers put aside stories for months, or even years, and when they find them again it is amazing how interested you can be in your own writing. Don’t overthink the process, just follow your gut. Remember that you are your own worst critic, and try to have confidence in your art. Most of all enjoy the writing as if it is an adventure. Get into the story until you feel like it is telling itself. The best way to be a good narrative writer is to enjoy being the vessel through which a story unfolds.