A beginning that grabs

A middle that keeps

An ending that lingers

I was reminded of this by a post on the Nieman Storyboard – it’s talking about storytelling in journalism, but the principles of writing something that sticks in the reader’s head well after they’ve finished are pretty universal.

Be compelling from the start. Never waste time. And when you close, do it with passion.

1 + 1 = 3

Check it.

I like stories with elements of the fantastic, but where the fantastic is just part of how the world works.

Tamed fantastic.

The kind of fantastic where a man can be followed everywhere he goes by a cloud of yellow butterflies, and no-one remarks on it. It’s just his thing.

I think this is because I like the stories I read (and write) to have something to say… they’re entertainment, sure, but they’re not just entertainment. They’ve also got a message, that you can take on board or ignore as you choose. And I like stories that use fantastic elements because you can be so much more creative about how you deliver that message.

I like science fiction and fantasy for this reason, but best of all are the stories of a world that either is this one or works like this one, but has a few small twists that throw everything else into sharp relief.

Do it well, and you can write stories that change lives.

Do it badly… and you’ve just got a bad story. Having any of this stuff isn’t as important as how it’s used.

That’s part of the problem with the latest one – it’s just not as good as I thought it was going to be. But I’ve got to finish it, because until it’s finished I won’t be able to concentrate on any of my other ideas.

Unfortunately, writing a story you’re no longer fond of isn’t particularly fun, and that breeds apathy.

What I need to remember is that while this one isn’t going to be my best story, my next one will. I’ve just got to get there.

I found out in a Skype chat. As a few of us worked through an under-performing presell campaign for another member of the group, it was dropped in.

I’m being a bit dramatic here. I’ve only read a couple of his books, and though they were good he wasn’t in my top 5 authors.

(Yes, I have a top 5. And so should you.)

But I’ve got to admit, the guy knew how to tell a powerful story. Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles are going to be remembered for an age, because he could tell a story that sticks with you.

People see the world through stories, and Bradbury understood that. Through stories we form our opinions, choose our politics, fall in love, and work out who we are.

And this isn’t a flaw. We need stories. The world’s far too confusing to understand without them.

There’s a flip side to this, of course. The stories we’re told shape how we see the world, and the stories we tell shape how the world sees us.

Whatever you do, you need a story. But for now, take some of Bradbury’s best advice – turn off your computer and go read a book.