The Mermaid Returns

Hi Everyone,

Here I am again.  Time is passing and we are adjusting to life without Joshua.   I have made some changes to my life and hope you will still come by the blogs.

I am closing the Clear Artistic Stamps business and will sell off the last of the stock at the Clear Artistic Stamps Site soon.  The In the Cottage Studio blog will be about my art, making cards and crafts. Hopefully you will still enjoy both blogs.

This blog Thoughts of a Stranded Mermaid will be about my writing.  Today I am posting an article I wrote on writing a story. Hope you enjoy it.

MAKING FUDGE OR STORIES A RECIPE HELPS

By

Belinda Landtroop

 If you want to make a pan of fudge, you need a list of ingredients. You can find these in a recipe.  If you want to write a story, you can do it the same way.  Questions become your recipe and the answers are your ingredients.

When writing a story ask yourself questions.

Who is the main character or characters of the story?

When does the story happen, in the past, present or future?  

Where will the story take place? 

What will create the conflict?  

 How will the conflict be solved?

These are a few questions you can use when writing your story.  It's your story   you get to pick the ingredients.

“Where do I start?" is usually the first question.  Some writers start by putting down a sentence or a paragraph about something they know.  It could be strange animals, gossipy friends, a haunted house, or anything that interest them.

After you decide on your beginning read your sentence or paragraph aloud and see how it sounds.  You want to see if it's interesting enough to grab the reader.  “Watch Tom run” isn't very interesting.  However, what about, “Briars cut Tom’s face as he ran through the blackberry bushes.”  This sentence makes you want to know what could make Tom run through briars.

Once you have your opening move on to the next question.  Soon, you will have enough answers to start mixing them together and creating a story. You have your recipe and the ingredients.  Mix well and simmer.

After you finish your story let it sit for a few days.  When you read it now, you’ll see things you’ll want to change or that don't work.  Adjust your recipe, by changing the ingredients, a little or a lot.  It's all up to you.

The End

 Smiles & Sunshine 

Belinda