A “How To” Guide for the Prospective Writer – Step Five on the Writing Journey
Written by Melissa Velasco, Accomplished Indie Writer
Melissa Velasco is an Indie author with a quick wit, edgy writing style, and bold willingness to take a flying leap into the unknown. She is the author of the Hollywood High Chronicles book series, a metaphysical thriller deep dive into the trials of a pack of metaphysically charged teen misfits growing up in gritty 1990's Hollywood.
You’ve made it through enough steps of the writing journey that you likely don’t even know what they were at this phase. Have no fear, because that’s part of the process. Now that we’ve worked through character voice, setting, writing anything that pops into your mind, and battling your personal demons, available at Melissa Velasco, Accomplished Indie Writer, Executive Contributor at Brainz Magazine, it’s time to tackle the next step.
Narrative story arc.
First, let’s take a deep breath. If you’re anything like me, you’ve made a big fancy mess. You have a story that diverts a million swirly directions, with big holes in it, and sections that you love, but they do nothing toward driving the storyline. Have no fear, because this is a valid and important part of the process.
A narrative story arc will help you create a balance. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is the finish line. It’s not. This is the moment that you take out a fresh piece of paper and start some double-checking.
But first, what is a narrative story arc?
This is the trajectory of your story. Traditionally, a story arc has the following steps:
Exposition: This is the background that sets the stage so that your readers know where you are, who you’re with, and you have a jumping off place for your story.
Initial Incident: This is your first conflict that sets the stage for the problem your protagonist faces.
Rising action: A series of incidents that heighten tension in the plot, leading to the big climactic issue coming up.
Climax: This is the ‘big bang’ issue that everything is leading to. It’s the overwhelming conflict for your protagonist.
Falling action: The events that result from the climax. Resolving tension between the protagonist and antagonist is frequently the definition of Falling Action, but I like to refer to it as “the fallout.”
Resolution: This is what I refer to as the “fix-it” phase. Your protagonist reaches a resolution, either achieving or failing at their goal.
Denouncement: Your story “wrap-up.”
Now it’s time to check your narrative story arc. Get out your piece of paper. (Yes, I mean it. I’m laughing because I always try to skip this step, and it always bites me in the tail. I’ve learned that this laborious process is necessary, and I resign myself to it.)
Ready? Here we go:
Start reading your story from the first page. As you go, write each stage of the Narrative Story Arc process above. Fill in your story bullet points as you go. You’ll be surprised how many stages you may be missing.
One of my favorite incidents when I did a preliminary read for an aspiring writer involved a serious storyline narrative arc problem. Her manuscript was well done. Her characters were interesting, with a setting that I could picture right down to the shade of the house. Her use of language was uniquely interesting, creating a fantastic writing voice. The problem? I got almost two hundred pages in and still hadn’t found the conflict. I enjoyed reading about her characters’ lives, romances, and activities, but without conflict, you don’t have a story. As my editor, Kyle Fager, has drilled into me a million times, “People want their own lives to be conflict-free, but they want their entertainment to be fraught with drama.”
You must have a conflict in writing your story
Not only must you have a conflict, but it should be a doozie! You’re writing about the biggest event in your protagonist’s life. You didn’t choose their most boring year. You chose to take your reader on the pivotal wild ride that changed your character’s life forever!
Think of your story this way. You’re at a party, and someone comes up to you, asking, “What is the craziest thing that’s ever happened to you in your life?” Chances are, there’s a wild story built into the moment you choose to share. Your protagonist deserves to tell their wild story, with all the hairpin turns, danger, fear, and miraculous strength that leads to them growing a little more toward their greater, or most tragic, selves. Do your protagonist justice and give it everything you’ve got. By the time your book publishes, that protagonist will be one of your closest friends.
Yes! I said, “By the time your book publishes.” You didn’t come this far to only come this far. You’re halfway to your publishing dream! You’re doing this. Grit your teeth, buckle down, and analyze your book, as it appears at this stage. Figure out what parts of your Narrative Story Arc are missing, weak, or overembellished. Start working on filling in those holes and smoothing out the hills. That’ll prep you for the next step of the journey: Story Continuity.
Melissa Velasco, Accomplished Indie Writer
With a quick wit, often edgy mouth, and loud laugh, Melissa exuberantly embraces life. Melissa Velasco is a true explorer of the arts. With a well-rounded background as a choreographer, professor, dance teacher, stage manager, and author, she thrives in creation. At her core, she believes that the arts save lives and provide a route for passion and connection. With five books currently published from her Hollywood High Chronicles metaphysical thriller book series, Melissa Velasco is an accomplished Indie writer.
