13 Out 2025 ILC Batalha
Story writing
Everyone can tell a story, but not every story is told in a way that captures the reader, is a page turner or makes the reader remember it long after they’ve finished. Writing the best story isn’t about chasing perfection; it’s about crafting something authentic, engaging, and unforgettable.
Great stories begin with a seed, an idea, a question, or a “what if?” moment. It might come from:
Characters are the guts of your story. Make them:
Even the most beautiful narrative can fall flat without a clear shape. A simple, effective structure is:
Keep the momentum going:
Good dialogue sounds natural but also has purpose. It reveals character, moves the plot forward, or adds tension. Read it aloud to check the rhythm.
Push yourself to the limits
Ask yourself: What happens if my character fails? The higher the stakes either emotional, physical, or moral, the more invested your reader will be.
Edit Without Mercy
The first draft is for telling yourself the story. The next drafts are for making it shine. Cut what doesn’t serve the plot or deepen the characters. Just when you think you have it perfect, step away and go back at a later time and edit it again.
End With Impact
A great ending feels both surprising and inevitable. It should satisfy the reader while leaving them thinking about your story long after they close the book. Remember all the best stories are the ones you never forget.
Final Thought
The best story isn’t necessarily the most complicated, it’s the one told with clarity, heart, and intention. Start with something that matters to you, shape it with craft, and let your voice carry it.
Great stories begin with a seed, an idea, a question, or a “what if?” moment. It might come from:
- A personal experience
- A news headline
- A dream or vivid image, so keep a notebook and pen next to your bed to write down everything as you remember when you first wake up!
- A character you can’t stop thinking about
Characters are the guts of your story. Make them:
- Believable — give them strengths, flaws, and quirks.
- Active — they should make choices that drive the plot.
- Evolving — let them change as events unfold.
Even the most beautiful narrative can fall flat without a clear shape. A simple, effective structure is:
- Hook — grab attention in the first lines.
- Conflict — introduce a problem or challenge.
- Rising Action — build tension and stakes.
- Climax — the turning point or biggest moment.
- Resolution — tie up loose ends and show change.
Keep the momentum going:
- Too slow and readers get bored easily.
- Too fast and the audience skips right over the heart of what you are trying to project. Vary sentence length, mix action with reflection, and end chapters with a reason to keep going.
Good dialogue sounds natural but also has purpose. It reveals character, moves the plot forward, or adds tension. Read it aloud to check the rhythm.
Push yourself to the limits
Ask yourself: What happens if my character fails? The higher the stakes either emotional, physical, or moral, the more invested your reader will be.
Edit Without Mercy
The first draft is for telling yourself the story. The next drafts are for making it shine. Cut what doesn’t serve the plot or deepen the characters. Just when you think you have it perfect, step away and go back at a later time and edit it again.
End With Impact
A great ending feels both surprising and inevitable. It should satisfy the reader while leaving them thinking about your story long after they close the book. Remember all the best stories are the ones you never forget.
Final Thought
The best story isn’t necessarily the most complicated, it’s the one told with clarity, heart, and intention. Start with something that matters to you, shape it with craft, and let your voice carry it.