The first lesson is a simple one.
M.I.C.E.
Milieu: Fancy French word for area and setting. The location where something takes place.
Idea: The main theme behind your story.
Character: Pretty damned self-explanatory.
Event: The going-ons. The things that actually happen once you're done spending four pages describing your favourite boy band's various hairstyles.
All stories, from the simplest child's book to War and Peace, have these four elements in them. These are the building blocks--the pillars--of a tale. Use them.
When it comes time to write the story itself, far too often writers who are new to the art will entirely overlook some of these principles. Instead, they will be tossed in dusty corners or scattered about like a trail of breadcrumbs for poor readers to pick up.
You have to know these things by heart before you start to write your story, and they should be presented as quickly as possible to the audience. This counts double for a summary or blurb (these words mean the same bloody thing, by the way, but more on that later).
Ask yourself these simple questions:
-Where is my story taking place?
-What are the impacts of the events within the story on the setting, on the characters and on the readers?
-Who are my characters?
-What is happening to them, and how will this change the environment?
If you're writing a summary, then these same questions are asked as such:
-Where is my story taking place, and what's so special about that place?
-What are the main themes, and are they badass?
-Who are my characters, and are they original, classy, or relatable?
-What's going on in this story, and is it interesting?
Generally, there are going to be elements that are weaker than others are. That's fine. It's normal. Don't worry your pretty little noggin. Just find those that are strong, and accentuate them.
You get the idea (hah!).
The next four chapters will delve into far more detail, covering each letter of the M.I.C.E principle. If you pay attention (for once) you might actually learn something.
Keep warm, stay cool,
Edgar A.
YOU ARE READING
Your Stories are Bad and You Should Feel Bad
Non-FictionThe vast majority of the writing I have seen on this website is worth less than the change I left upon your mother's nightstand. That means that, by statistical likelihood, your writing probably sucks too. Not in whole, mind you, but when it comes...
