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Top 5 Components to Identify In Your Story (Fictional or Otherwise)

Updated: Aug 12

Top 5 Components to Identify In Your Story (Fictional or Otherwise) post

When embarking on the journey of writing a story, there are a lot of things to be excited and confused about. But there are some details that are imperative for you to know if you are going to start this journey on the right foot. Here are the top five components of your story that I, Master Prehp, believe you need to know before you begin to write.

Genre


Genre is the category that best suits your work. There are an infinite number of subgenres that you can spend your free time browsing through on the internet. For now, let’s stick with the Big Three Genre Umbrellas that lie at the heart of the rest.


  • Fiction is for stories that are 100% fake, even if the original idea is based on real events or people.


  • Nonfiction is for stories that are 100% true and are usually based on real people and events as their source material.


  • Copy is for stories that are trying to explain, persuade, or inspire someone to take action to do something. This includes emails, papers, advertisements, and even online courses like the ones we offer on Storyteller Planet.

Tone


Tone is the overall vibe that you want your story to give off to your audience. This can include, but is not limited to:


  • Character Perspective: Who was telling the story? The main character? A narrator?


  • Word Choice: Do you use a lot of simple words, or are you varied in your vocabulary?


  • Formality Level: Based on the perspective the story is told in, does it match the level of formality used?


Style


Style is a concept that you will understand the more you write. It’s the way you string your story together. The words you use. The vibe you bring to the table. Naturally, as a storyteller of fictional tales, you’re writing will fall under a narrative approach. But that doesn’t encompass how you tell your story. If you’re confused, like I was at the start of my journey, don’t fret.


Think of your favorite writer for a moment. If you have a copy of something they’ve written nearby, even better to grab it and read a few pages. While you may love the story itself, take note of how the author tells the story. Do they start with a long exposition or are they dialogue first, and scenery descriptions later?


The more that you decipher what you like and don’t like about your favorite writers, the easier you can to plan out how you want to tell your story. It doesn’t matter if it’s a script or a novel; everyone has a style. It’s your job to perfect it throughout your career and make it clear to your reader.

Target Audience


Your target audience is the group of people who want to read your story because it resonates with them the most. Readers are the most important part of the writing experience, because why else are you writing this story? These are your cheerleaders in the front row who want more of what you have to offer. Even if no one is cheering for you now, envision what that crowd of people looks like. Ask yourself:


  • What are they like? (Demographics, Personal Style, Frequent Social Hangouts, etc.)


  • What do they want more of? (Mock up a few fan letters/comments if you feel inspired)


Start practicing your autograph now, because these are the people who will want a signed copy of your work in the future.

Purpose


There are two ways to think about the purpose of your story:


  • Why are you telling this story?


  • What do you want people to think about once they've experienced your story?


Both answers can have nothing to do with each other, or they can be the exact same answer. Regardless, being clear about why you are writing this story and how you want others to feel is the heart of all storytelling. Keep your purpose somewhere in sight when you write, so you have motivation on those days you just don't feel like writing.

Your Journey Has Just Begun


Whether you are writing the next big news story or making up a fictional disaster, it's important to plan ahead and take in all the details of your story. While these are the most important elements, this is only the tip of the preverbial outlining iceberg.


I encourage you to check out my mini course, "The Heart of Fictional Storytelling," where my wife and I lead you through the various nuances of outlining. If you are interested in learning more about this course, click the button below to be led to our course page. There's so much to explore in the world of storytelling.


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Expand Your Mind...

Let's face it, language learning isn't easy. But it can be fun and ultimately unite us across Lahnds and Rehlms. All we have to do is expand our minds. This is easiest understood by those who speak Earth English, but other languages from other places may also understand this language lesson.

 

Tip #1: Laugh every time you mess up and then try again. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn and grow. Embrace it!

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