How to write a story | John Dufresne | TEDxFIU

TEDx Talks2 minutes read

When writing fiction, it is essential to have a central character facing challenges and obstacles while engaging the reader through vivid scenes and character details to drive the story forward. Themes of renewal, rebirth, vision, and healing can be explored through character actions and motivations, requiring multiple drafts and fleshing out scenes to create a complete narrative.

Insights

  • Writing fiction involves more than just thinking about it; it requires the act of sitting down and putting words on paper to bring stories to life.
  • Characters play a pivotal role in storytelling, as they face challenges, reveal deeper themes through details, and drive the plot forward with desires and struggles against obstacles.

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Recent questions

  • How should I start writing fiction?

    By sitting down and beginning to write.

  • What elements are essential in a story?

    Central character, challenges, and obstacles.

  • How can I engage readers' emotions in writing?

    Through vivid scenes and character details.

  • What drives the plot of a story?

    Central character striving against opposition.

  • How can I improve my writing process?

    Through multiple drafts, connective tissue, and fleshing out scenes.

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Summary

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Crafting Compelling Fiction: Characters, Themes, and Process

  • Writing fiction requires sitting down and starting the act of writing, not just thinking about it.
  • Every story needs a central character facing challenges and obstacles.
  • The writer must engage the reader's imagination and emotions through vivid scenes.
  • Details in the story, like scars and jewelry, can reveal deeper themes and character traits.
  • The plot of every story revolves around a central character striving to achieve something despite opposition.
  • Characters' actions and surroundings provide insight into their personalities and motivations.
  • Themes of renewal, rebirth, vision, and healing can be explored through character details and actions.
  • The central character's desires and struggles against obstacles drive the story forward.
  • The process of writing involves multiple drafts, adding connective tissue, and fleshing out scenes to create a complete narrative.
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