Melanie Nilles

I love a story that pulls me in and immerses me in a new world. Every time I read my writing, I see it again, and wonder at times how I did it. Everything is seamless, as if it was there all along and the writer simply transcribed events. Those are something special to read, and even more so to write.

But how does one go about writing a story like that?

The first step is inspiration. A character, a plot idea, a world, maybe even an element from a dream…They all provide an inspirational spark to start the Big Bang cascade of events.

The next step is planning. That involves some thinking. Often the characters that need to be there to start will come with that Big Bang of ideas when the story idea sparks. They won’t be complete, however, and minor characters may actually require some thought. The world, too, needs to be developed and considered. Ask the five basic questions–How, What, Where, When, and Why. When and where are the ones most pertinent to the setting. The others come soon after. You’ve probably already figured out the what and why, but it’s the how that is the most fun and the reason for writing a story, and for reading.

By now with this kind of story idea, many scenes have already played out in thewriter’s mind and the characters have some dimension to them. I outline at this point with what I’ve already seen, so I don’t risk losing those ideas. Chances are they’ll change over the course of writing the story, but that’s okay. Ideas are fluid.

The best part is to write, and if the story ideas are strong and unfaded, the passion will carry it through. The characters’ behaviors and dialogue is simply there, because you’re in their heads.  When I find that place, I see the surroundings and actions as clearly as if I’m standing there. I am immersed in that world. It is simply a matter of putting to words what I see and making sure nothing important is left out. It’s easier to delete than to fill in, at least for me.

At this stage, you have to turn off the internal editor, or at least turn it down. Fall in love with the story and dive into it. Because if you can, it will write itself. After the story is complete is the time to edit. And editing is where you’ll polish the prose, but at this point, there should be a definite voice, a style all your own, which suits the type of story you’ve written.

These are the most fascinating stories to write and to read.