Catégories : Tous - characters - climax - motivation - resolution

par Kenna Larson Il y a 4 années

188

Title

The process of crafting a scary story involves several structured steps to ensure the narrative is engaging and spine-chilling. It starts with defining the beginning where the problem that will capture the reader'

Title

Title

To name your story, you have to think about the overall message and what you want your audience to understand from the story. Also, make it relevant and easy to remember.

END

The ending of a story is essential. We all know that if the ending is weak, what happened before loses its importance. So make it unpredictable, but fair. A resolved ending answers all the questions and ties up any loose threads from the plot.

RESOLUTION

This is the closure section of the story.
See examples of possible outcomes below:

Is the main character finally safe?
What happens to give the reader some relief?

Try answering these questions to come up with a closure:
- Have all the problems been solved?
- Is there a clear picture of what happens with each character in the story?
- Has the challenge transformed your main character?
- How do the characters feel in the end?

CLIMAX

This is the moment when the main character surpasses the last obstacle and finally faces their greatest challenge.
The climax usually follows one of these patterns:


Type in your answer.

How does the main character finally solve the problem?

MIDDLE

The middle of the story is where you add layers of complications that will lead to the end. Reveal more about the character's journey. Did their personality go through changes? How did they overcome the challenges? And as you build up the story’s central conflict, make it more personal to that character. Also, from the middle act, you have to lead into the final act.

POSSIBLE SOLUTION

There wouldn't be any tension and excitement in your story if there weren't any obstacles in your character's way.

How does the main character try to solve the problem?

A story is nothing more than a character overcoming a series of difficulties to reach the desired goal. Obstacles usually create suspense and conflict. In overcoming obstacles, there is growth: weak becomes strong; hatred turns into love; sadness into happiness; wrong into right; lies into truth; or evil becomes good.

See a few examples below:

What challenge does the character face when trying to solve the problem?

MOTIVATION

Your character(s) need(s) motivation in order to solve the challenge(s).

Secondary characters might also have motives that lead them to cross paths with the main character or which might trigger them to help the main character.

What pushes the other character to act the way they do?

Why does your character need to confront this challenge? What does he/she expect to accomplish by solving it?
See a few examples:

What pushes the main character to solve the problem?

ATTENTION GRABBER

Each story has a main character and that character usually needs to solve a problem or challenge. The character's challenge is the one that creates tension throughout the story.

How are you going to scare your reader?

Type in any other challenges which other characters in the story need to face.

What is the problem in the story

In most stories, there are 3 challenges. The number 3 is a mystical number symbolizing completeness. Try to come up with interesting challenges with which your character needs to struggle.
See a few examples below:

BEGINNING

DIRECTIONS:


Wherever there is a pencil, type and answer the questions to show how your scary story is going to play out!


You may edit, change and re-do what you type as much as you like. Remember, great authors change their stories all the time!


If you wish to add more characters or change the order of events in your story, come find me and we can change it!


Watch the video for 5 tips on writing scary stories. This will help a lot if you come across some "writer's block!"

In the beginning of the story (or the exposition), you will need to introduce the setting and characters. You might also want to introduce the main conflict. This part of the story is important because it gives the reader necessary background information and maybe even a first insight into a character’s personality.

SETTING

The setting (time & place) of a story can change throughout the plot.

Suspenseful event

Sensory details include sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. These details are important because they create depth in your setting.
See a few examples below:

What happens that builds suspense or gives a premonition of what is about to happen?

Feeling words

Weather

Directions:


The weather is an important element in your story because it can highly influence the ambiance and the mood of the characters.

Does the weather effect the characters?

The most affected character is the main character. Write down here if he/she is affected by these weather conditions in any way. For example, if they lost a family member or their home during a hurricane, etc.

Natural elements

Decide if you want to include an element of nature in your story. For example, a rainbow can be a very nice choice for a happy ending. The mist in a story can represent mystery and secrets. A thunder can appear in the background at the moment when the 'bad guy' of the story makes its appearance, etc.

Spooky descriptions. What is the main character seeing around them?

Does your story include catastrophic weather? See a few suggestions below or add your own:
- hurricane, earthquake, storm, etc

Time

The time of the story can also change. It can describe the event of a single day or can include an entire year's plot. Anyway, don't forget to mention it.

When is this happening?

Where does the story takes place?

Your story can take place wherever your imagination will take you to.
For example: in an elevator, in an enchanted forest, etc. Don't forget to give details of the environment each time the setting changes, otherwise, the story can be confusing. Also, mention the seasons as each of them has unique weather and events.

Where is this happening?

CHARACTERS

Characters are essential to a good story. Usually, the protagonist(s) is/are the most affected by the plot. Introduce a character by focusing on their actions, interests, and occupation, as the physical appearance doesn't make a difference in most cases.

Character 2
Character 1

Type in the name of your character.

Are they the protagonist, antagonist or another character?

What is your character's main goal?

fight Evilfind lovedefeat his/her enemyrule the worldmake friendstime travelmake an awesome discoveryOther

Character description

Which traits best describe the character's personality? Choose more if necessary:

introvertedloyalkindindependentquick-thinkingadventuresomeidealisticsweet-naturedcalmrisk-takercreativewittystrictfussyweirdclumsyharshaggressivecarelessclingingcowardlycrueldeceitfulimpulsiveOther

Character traits

Choose the type of your chacter:

Protagonist (main character)Antagonist (main character's opponent)Flat (stereotypical character)Round (his/ her personality develops throughout the story)Static (doesn't evolve as a person throughout the story)Dynamic (dramatical change in personality)Confidant (the main character trusts him/ her)Foil (contrasting character who enhances the personality of another character)Other