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Narrative Writing Notes

Narrative writing involves storytelling through key elements such as plot, characters, setting, conflict, and theme. The document outlines techniques for creating engaging narratives, including character development, building tension, and using vivid descriptions. It emphasizes the importance of practice and creativity in mastering narrative writing.

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40 views7 pages

Narrative Writing Notes

Narrative writing involves storytelling through key elements such as plot, characters, setting, conflict, and theme. The document outlines techniques for creating engaging narratives, including character development, building tension, and using vivid descriptions. It emphasizes the importance of practice and creativity in mastering narrative writing.

Uploaded by

winhtikeaung43
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Narrative Writing Notes

Narrative writing is a form of storytelling. Whether we are writing a short story, a memoir
or a novel, a good narrative engages readers by immersing them in a sequence of events,
interesting characters, and vivid settings. This guide will help you through the essential
elements and techniques to create narrative stories.

Basics of a Narrative

To create a story, we need key elements to keep it alive.

Plot: sequence of events

Characters: people, creatures, entities that drives the story

Setting: where and when the story take place

Conflict: problem or challenge faced by characters

Theme: meaning, message of the story

Types of Narratives:

Personal Narrative: A true story about own experiences.

Fictional Narrative: A made-up story with imaginative elements.

Descriptive Narrative: A story that focuses on detailed descriptions.


Plot

Dan Harmon, the creator of Community and Rick and Morty, developed the Story Circle to
keep track of events . His approach is particularly popular among screenwriters and is
valued for its focus on character transformation. By breaking a story into eight digestible
steps, Harmon ensures that narratives remain dynamic and relatable.

Zone Of Comfort: Introduce the protagonist.

Need Or Desire: Show what they desire.

Unfamiliar Situation: Their desire drives them into action or make changes.

Adapt: Characters face challenges.

Get What Is Desired: They achieve their goal.

Pay The Price: They experience consequences.

Return: Things get back to normal.

Change: Characters get overall changed and they embrace their transformation.
Example Of Story Circle

1. Zone of Comfort:
Mulan lives a traditional life but struggles to fit in.

2. Need or Desire:
She wants to honor her family and protect her father.

3. Unfamiliar Situation:
Disguised as a man, she joins the army to take her father’s place.

4. Adapt:
Mulan trains hard, hides her identity, and faces challenges in the army.

5. Get What Is Desired:


She earns respect and helps defeat the Huns.

6. Pay the Price:


Her identity is revealed, and she’s rejected but stays determined.

7. Return:
After saving China, she goes back home.

8. Change:
Mulan grows confident, bringing honor to her family as herself.

Tips for Plotting:

● Start with a "What if" question to generate ideas.


● Outline and mark key events before writing.
● Include twists to surprise readers.
Characters : Developing Memorable Characters

Building Characters:

1. Goals: What does your character want?


2. Flaws: What holds them back?
3. Strengths: What helps them succeed?
4. Backstory: What past experiences shape them?

Character Arc:

● Positive Arc: The character grows or improves.


● Negative Arc: The character falls or deteriorates.
● Flat Arc: The character stays consistent while influencing the world around them.

Techniques:

● Write detailed character profiles.


● Use dialogue to reveal personality.
● Show growth through actions and decisions.

Importance of Motivation:

Characters play a crucial role in stories, and a lack of motivation or depth will lead to
poorly crafted characters. By understanding their goals and conflicts, you can create
believable and engaging arcs. Using Dan Harmon’s Story Circle can help map out these
transformations effectively.

Creating a Vivid Setting

Describe the Environment:

● Use sensory details: sight, sound, smell, touch, taste.


● Include specific details: "The ancient oak tree" instead of "a tree."

Integrate Setting into Story:

● Make the setting interact with the characters.


● Use weather or time of day to reflect mood.
● Let the setting influence plot events.
Building Conflict and Tension

Types of Conflict:

1. Internal Conflict: The character’s struggle within themselves.


2. External Conflict: The character’s struggle with outside forces.

Tips for Tension:

● Raise stakes with every scene.


● Make success uncertain.
● Add unexpected challenges.

Mastering the Narrative Style

Show, Don’t Tell:

Instead of: "She was scared," write: "Her hands trembled as she backed away." This
principle focuses on immersing readers in the story by depicting actions, emotions, and
settings vividly instead of merely stating facts.

Use Active Voice:

● Active: "The dog chased the cat."


● Passive: "The cat was chased by the dog."

Create Pacing:

● Use short sentences for fast action.


● Use longer, descriptive sentences for slower moments.

Writing Dialogue

Make It Realistic:

● Use contractions: "I’ll go" instead of "I will go."


● Avoid info-dumping.
● Give each character a unique voice.

Format Correctly:

● Enclose spoken words in quotation marks.


● Start a new paragraph for each new speaker.
Movie Reference: Inglourious Basterds (2009)

In the opening scene of Inglourious Basterds, Quentin Tarantino uses subtle yet powerful
symbolism to build tension. The idyllic French countryside contrasts with the dread of the
Nazi officer’s arrival. The glass of milk served during the interrogation becomes a symbol
of deceptive calmness, reflecting the underlying menace. Incorporate such layered
symbols in your narrative to enrich the story’s themes and emotions.

Using Characters Who Know Nothing

When to Use:

● To naturally introduce exposition without info-dumping.


● To create relatable characters who learn alongside the reader.

How to Implement:

● Pair them with a knowledgeable mentor or guide.


● Use their ignorance to raise questions and heighten tension.
● Example: In The Matrix (1999), Neo knows nothing about the real world, allowing
Morpheus to explain key concepts to both Neo and the audience.

Lazy Writing Tip:

● Let a naïve character’s questions drive the plot. This keeps things simple and
avoids overcomplicated setups.

Editing and Revising

First Draft Tips:

● Write without self-editing.


● Focus on getting the story down.

Revision Tips:

● Check for plot holes.


● Ensure characters are consistent.
● Tighten pacing by removing unnecessary scenes.

Final Proofreading:

● Correct grammar and spelling errors.


● Read aloud to catch awkward phrasing.
Practicing and Improving

Writing Exercises:

1. Write a short story using a random prompt.


2. Rewrite a scene from a different character’s perspective.
3. Describe a setting in 100 words or less.

Study Examples:

● Read books in your genre.


● Analyze how authors create tension, describe settings, and develop characters.

Conclusion

Narrative writing is a skill that improves with practice and creativity. By understanding the
elements of storytelling and applying them to your writing, you can craft engaging and
memorable narratives. Remember, every story is unique—start with your idea and let your
imagination guide you.

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