There are thirty-nine dramatic plots, or twelve, or seven
stories, or just one story shape according to which theory you follow. There
are millions of themes. Writers can take a particular part of a known story and
make it the whole story. They can clothe known characters in a variety of
personalities. They can turn the stories they hear at the pub and the little
articles in the local paper into major dramas. Never should a writer be able to
say they are stuck for a story.
A new perspective on
an old tale
Tell a well-known story from a different point of view.
Perhaps tell the story of a footman or an ugly sister instead of Cinderella. Or
bring the story right into the 21st century. Perhaps Jack decides to
try a GM crop much to the disgust of organic farmer mother.
Shakespeare is good
for a story
The Bard has probably lasted not because of his elegant iambic
pentameters and his use of the Warwickshire dialect but because he tells fine
stories that resonate with humans. Tragedy, the bringing about of the hero’s
downfall through his own unavoidable fault, is still valid. Impossible love
affairs and mistaken identity still make for good reading material.
The Bible
This too is full of stories. They are quite intriguing –
perhaps even more so if you don’t quite believe them. But it’s also quite a
valid activity, finding out what really happened at the time. What would it
have been like, being an Egyptian mother at the time when all first born were
cursed? Or for that matter being a Jewish one who is tempted to hide her baby
in the bulrushes? Who was that crazy teacher who gathered crowds to hear him
talk? And what if it was happening now instead of then?
Down the pub
Can the gossip produce a story? Why exactly did the owner of
the big hotel near the motorway roundabout run off with the Lottery money? What
will happen now? What will happen to those families where the main earner has
been made redundant? How is everyone going to get to the match on Saturday if
it carries on snowing?
Run over dogs
The small articles in the local newspaper. What about the
little girl who lost her glove puppet three times in one week? Or the old lady
living alone who took on the chance thief who broke into her home? Not to mention the ATM that gave out £20
notes instead of £10.00.
If there’s a good story there we can normally fix the
writing, time allowing i.e. if it’s not so dire that it would take too many
man-hours to fix. Sadly no matter how great the writing we can’t take it if the
story doesn’t work. Writers, there are so many sources of good stories. Take the time to find yours.
