What techniques could be used to enhance one's story writing capabilities and skill?

Answer 1

Well, if you want to get good and become a great storyteller, you have to embrace the fact that it will take *time* to get there.

In writing, there is no easy shortcuts to fame, fortune, and peer recognition. (In fact, I would advise you not to even try for it--because in the end, it isn't worth much these days.)

What you have to do, is be willing to open yourself up to a host of possibilities with your imagination, and be ready to experiment on a variety of levels, before you end up finding out what works best for you. (Emulating your favorite author will not get your foot in the door any quicker--if you can't hold your target audience (if there is one) past the first page.)

First off, you have to find out what you (as the author), likes the most about the books you read as a child growing up. Or the ones you enjoy as an adult.

Focus on just those elements, but not the books themselves, or their authors. Then begin writing a story or a novel which uses those ideals. Structure your writing around that.

Experiment as you go. (You'll be rewriting a ton before you finally find your niche)

But don't rush the process. In order to become a great storyteller, you have to give your writing skills the necessary time to evolve and ascend to the next level. (Mine went through three such ascensions.)

With each new level of experience, you need to continue to practice and hone your craft. Once you do, you'll find yourself reaching new plateaus, and into new territory.

So the process will begin again.

But you also have to understand that having good writing skills doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be able to woe your audience--if you don't have a firm grasp of good storytelling; being able to weave compelling plots and spell-binding characters.

So the process of writing falls back to reading your favorite books--keeping in mind what makes a great character memorable, and what will work for you.

And apply that to what you know.

Because what you find in these writer guides you see on the shelves these days can only tell you so much. And most of that information is filled with a ton of contradictions anyways.

So the books *themselves* are your best teachers and guides.

If you have a good grasp of the English language, have excellent reading and comprehension skills (not to mention writing), you can pretty much do *anything* you set your mind to.

Keep in mind though, this process takes years--sometimes more than 10, even 20, before you get to where you want to be today.

Answer 2

Read is my first answer and that seems to be the consensus.

But good writing requires more. Good writing is not a passive thing which would explain why some authors can make good money.

I am not a good writer BUT there are some techniques that I use to write with.

Make an outline.
That outline can be used to develop your characters or the plot.

I've been told that the first sentence of any paragragh should give the gist of the paragragh and that the last sentence should wrap up any loose ends or summarize the paragraph.

A thesaurus might help look up differing words when you feel that you are at a loss for words or in a rut.

Also book on antonyms ( possibly part of a good thesaures )

After finishing a rough draft put the story away for some time and then come back to it and re-read it. the amount of time is so that it is not fresh in your head.
Another way of doing the same thing is to give the story to someone that you are willing to accept harsh criticism from and have them read it.
The idea here is that by re-reading it you will either notice things that you otherwise didn't or you will think of better ways of phrasing sentences , paragraghs or chapters,

This is why teachers told you to start early so that you could have a several rough drafts and a finished product. ( but who listens , I certainly didn't and I am still a poor writer )

There must be numerous web sites devoted to this subject. I feel certain that a search would give you more results than you could possibly use in a fortnight.

Answer 3

Read the classics, and follow their storylines. There are only supposed to be 15 original storylines. So take a concept you like, and apply it to either the real world, or a world you want to create. And the more you read, the more you will be exposed to different styles of writing. That will enhance your own skill when you write.

Answer 4

Increase your vocabulary. English is an absolutely beautiful language. Anyone who has learned English as a second language will tell you that it is one of the hardest to learn, but the reason it is the most-spoken language in the world is because it has more descriptive words than most languages. Take a look in your dictionary and note all the many words that actually do have a use, but you have never heard used before. There are words in the English language that can describe EXACTLY what you're imagining, you just have to know what they are to use them.

Answer 5

My advice would be the obvious, read. Secondly prepare yourself to tell a story that you find interesting and are passionate about. But remember, an anthropologist could be very excited and passionate about his career choice but that would not carry over to passion from his reader. Select who is your target audience. Demographics and income. Does the demographic that you target typical read or is it going to be not well read but just well written. Select a genre. Do you want to write to sell books or write for a cause. I would also recommend getting to a book reading somewhere and see what makes a book interesting enough to gain an audience to have someone else read to you. Once written have a college professor do a cursory preview of it and get his opinion or send to friends that will give honest answers. But don't base your future on friends opinions. Send it to ME!

Answer 6

I think the simplest way to enhance or improve one's writing capabilities is to read a lot. Because when you read, you gain a lot of knowledge and improve your vocabulary as welll.. It will also broaden your imagination, thus improving your creativity in writing. Also, you might want to ask help or tips from those who are good in story writing.

Answer 7

You could take a correspondance course. I did this and it helped alot. In fact, I was ready to submit to magazines for pay upon completion. My genre was children's literature so I took the course through the Institute of Children's Literature. I even received 6 college credits as this is an accredited school. You would definitely want to check for that and be sure you're not just throwing your money in the street.

Good Luck!

Answer 8

There are some fantastic books out there by John Gardner that would definitely help any young writer:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679734031/sr=8-2/qid=1153006387/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-3827087-5837411?ie=UTF8

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393320030/sr=8-3/qid=1153006387/ref=pd_bbs_3/103-3827087-5837411?ie=UTF8

You can also go butt heads with the good folk at www.fanstory.com

Last but not least: read, read, and then read some more.

And don't forget the old adage 'practice makes perfect'. Not all writers are born, some are made...

Answer 9

I've never heard of such a thing; more info would be appreciated. In trying to answer the question, I think that the circumstances behind the questioning would play a huge role. Are you an Agent questioning someone for legal purposes or are you just cornering your annoying neighbor?

Answer 10

Try doing a character sketch of each character in your story. Jot things down about the character looks like, how he talks, his history, etc. Then start writing the story, knowing what you wrote in the character sketch.