How to see it
Plan first. A story plan is five boxes. Opening: who, and where. Problem: what goes wrong. Build-up: it gets harder. Climax: the biggest moment. Ending: how it is sorted out. A few words in each box. Five minutes is plenty. Know the ending before you start.
A worked example
Opening: Nell, Gran's garden, a gate that is always locked. Problem: she finds the key, goes through, and the gate slams shut. Build-up: no way out, and it is getting dark. Climax: she climbs an apple tree to the top of the wall. Ending: she drops into Gran's garden, in time for tea. Now the story knows where it is going.
The common mistake: starting to write with no ending in mind
The trap is starting with no ending in mind. Something happens, then something else, then something else. Time runs out with Nell still stuck, and the story just stops. Plan the ending, then write towards it.
Try one
Opening: Ava, school trip, museum
Problem: loses her class
Build-up: closing time, lights off
Climax: footsteps in the dark
Here is a plan with its ending missing. Which ending fits it best?
- AThen Ava hears another noise, even louder.
- BA guard finds Ava and walks her to the front door, where her class is waiting.
- CAva finds a gold coin in a glass case.
- DAva has always liked museums.
Show the answerHide the answer
Right: B, A guard finds Ava and walks her to the front door, where her class is waiting.
The problem is losing her class, and only B solves it.