How to start a story

A little exercise that helps to create a plot

Now, I suffer from what I lot of writers suffer from - perfectionism.

I've always had it in my head that every line of a story, well not just a story - even essays, have to be word perfect. I'd edit as I go through, re-reading every line to make sure it had an impact. I mean, this is good to some extent, but it means that I rarely finish anything in a short space of time.

Of course, I have only really just started getting back into writing since finishing school, but I have already begun to learn so much from other bloggers and creative writing books (like the one shown below which is great when you are trying to find exercises to help kick start your novel!)

I used to often skip the exercises in the creative writing books as I didn't think they'd be very helpful. I stupidly hoped that if I read the chapters my writing would just be better because then I'd know what to do and what not to do. This is not the case. Writing takes practice. So, I opened the book and looked at the chapter on plot development. Often, I've found it quite difficult to make my stories seem connected and flow. One of the exercises was perfect for this. I made it my prerogative to complete it.

First, you decide your who, what and where. For example, a 25 year old washes the dishes in her kitchen. Try and make the 'what' an everyday act to start the story, as it is often that the most bizarre of events can spiral from this.

And then, you just keep asking questions. My questions were 'And?', 'Why?' and 'So?'. It could go a little something like this. She washes the dishes, leaving her wedding ring on the kitchen side and, through the window, sees a note on the fence, so she rushes outside, soap suds dripping from her hands and reads the note which says 'Your husband has been murdered.' Why? Well, that's up to you.

The point of the exercise is to develop a story plot. It may seem fairly standard, but if your struggling for ideas this can get them flowing. It is important that the situation isn't resolved too quickly. Don't ask a question and then solve it straight away - let the story develop and build until it is the right time to conclude.

I tried this exercise yesterday and I'm already half way through a draft of my little story. I may have had to alter certain parts, but it gave me the general structure of the plot.

Some people have an idea brewing in their heads for ages. I've had a novel in my head for months that I've just begun to properly plan. Yet, I need to get into the swing of writing again before I even think of starting it. The exercise above is just something that can kick start a story. Whether it turns out to be something amazing or not - it is just important to give it a go.

If you have finished this little blog, I hope the exercise could be of some help in getting your own story started :)