Why? Capturing a Moment in Time: Crafting Stories

Fundamental Why?

Stories can transport us to another time and place; a single moment in time can be the foundation for a powerful and memorable story whether you’re writing about a turning point in history or a personal experience, the key to crafting a compelling story is to focus on the moment itself, and how it changes the characters and the world around them.

Here are some 5 tips  and explanations on how to write a story around a moment in time:

1. Choose a significant moment: The moment you choose should be substantial in some way. It could be a turning point in history, a personal experience, or a moment that changed someone’s life. The moment should be significant enough to serve as the foundation of your story.

.Look at the event and moment that you want to use. Ask why this. What can I, my audience, or the characters get out of this? 

.Look for impact. 

.Finally, ask if you would enjoy researching, studying, or manipulating the events around the event or experience for your story.

2.Develop the characters: Once you have chosen your moment, it’s time to think about the characters who will be affected by it. Who are they, and how do they react to the moment you’ve chosen? What are their motivations and desires, and how do they change as a result of the moment?

.Don’t overthink things. You can make something or someone as complex or simple as you want them to be. 

.It is important to understand your characters’ motivation, drive, and desire when reacting so they feel more real to the reader.

.Quote, “Let loose and have fun with it.” -Hades.

3.Build the world: The moment you’ve chosen should also have an impact on the world around your characters. Think about the setting and how the moment you’ve chosen affects the people, places, and things in the world.

.Don’t get bogged down on the entire planet or civilization for your story. The location and events that the characters interact with can be the whole world. The world that the reader will experience.

4.Create tension: Tension is the driving force behind any good story, and a moment in time can provide plenty of opportunities for tension. Consider the conflict that arises from the moment you’ve chosen and how your characters respond to it.

.REMBER, this is to authenticate the characters’ reactions and how the audience or readers will perceive them. 

.What is it that is happening? How will they react?

5.Explore the aftermath: The moment you’ve chosen will have consequences, and it’s important to explore the aftermath of the event. How do your characters grow and change as a result of the moment? How does the world around them change?

.Growth is one of the most important things in any story as it will allow the reader to learn, grow, and have realizations along with the characters within the story.

The Conclusion  

In conclusion, writing a story around a moment in time can be a powerful and rewarding experience. By focusing on the moment itself, developing your characters, building the world, creating tension, and exploring the aftermath, you can make a compelling and memorable story that will excite the readers.

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