Help on Where to Start, Please

[Bushido216]

Thankyou in advance.

I'm thinking of attempting a short-storyish type of work. It'd be a fantasy sort of thing, i.e. a Tolkienish work.

I have some ideas in my head and a rough idea of who I want in it and what I want to happen, but I simply have no idea where to start. I've considered starting by drawing a map of the areas that will be used and then listing the plot elements and who I want to fill those roles, etc., but any professional help on how to start such a project would be greatly appreciated. I was beginning to go about it like I would write an essay and wasn't too sure that I should do that.

Thankyou.

 

[Vulgivagus hagiographus]

Since you're saying it's a short story, I wouldn't think the map would be necessary. You don't want to create a word that's so complicated that the audience will have to spend a great deal of time figuring out the specific geography of the world. On the other side of the coin, you need to understand your world, and if drawing a map helps, then do it. Just don't make something that would actually require the audience to ever see this map. When I think of short stories, I generally think of keeping as close to one viewpoint character as possible. I would recommend first finding your viewpoint character and it will be there story, even if it's in third person. After that, work out your (pl)ot the end and then go over how you're going to get there.

The trickiest part of a short fantasy/science fiction piece is exposition. You might want to get some more oppinions on this topic though, since I'm not a big reader of fantasy short stories.

 

[Surprised by joy]

First person is not necessarily the best POV for a short work! In fact, I have seen few short stories that were in first person. One of the best ways to learn to write is to read. Here are some fantasyish suggestions:

Edgar Allen Poe (I have a personal vendetta against him, however he is a good writer)
The Brothers Grimm (fairy tales)
J.R.R. Tolkien: Leaf by Niggle, Smith of Wooton Major
George MacDonald: The Golden Key, The Lost Princess
Nathaniel Hawthorne: Feathertop, The Hollow of the Three Hills
C.S. Lewis: The Dark Tower and Other Stories (these were stories never completed)
A wonderful compilation: Stories and Poems for Extremely Intelligent Children of All Ages, by Harold Bloom

To begin a short story, I usually just jump in and work out the plot as I go. If you like organization, create a bare plot, create the central characters, and then Sit Down and Write! Once you have a beginning, I find, a plot is more easily developed. But whatever you do, you probably shouldn't make it too strict. Let the story take some of its own shape. Never be afraid to edit, even to completely change the plot, if that is best for the story.

One thing I can say decisively: do not try to write the Lord of the Rings in 30 pages. The very thought is scary. It took Tolkien from 1917 to 1948 to write that book, including its history. That is 31 years! A real rule of short story writing: keep it simple. A handful of characters, a handful of scenes, and a plot that can be described in one sentence.

 

[Bushido216]

Thankyou for your suggestions.

The map idea is simply a focus tool. I don't want to start writing and find that I am mangling the world because I need specific things in specific places.

As for the Tolkien reference, I simply meant to give you an idea of where I wanted to go. I don't have nearly the hubris to try and write a Tolkien!

Thanks again, I'll get cracking.

 

[Blessed-one]

somebody once said that if you got stuck in a part, write on other scenes. That way you don't waste time, and you'll get more ideas coming even if the connection was not there yet. i suppose it works for short story too..

 

[psychoceramic]

the way i was taught and it works... is to write a short one to two page story on you main character.... (you can use it in the short story later or just use elemnts from it)

this way you have an idea of your story before writing it.... and some plot lines might come to life.


In Him,
psycho

 

[crydun]

Try brainstorming and writing a character outline, plot summary and brief timeline. This will keep it all straight in your head and may indeed show you your beginning.

 

[Lucubratus]

Hi Bushido

I'm a writer of that area of fantasy as well. Some of these replies are sound advice.
Regarding the use of a map - I always did and used it as a reference so when I am telling the story and mention that character A is going South to Kingdom B, I make sure that I don't say he's returning east from Kingdom B to go home. lol

As a reference point I think the map is very useful and almost necessary so you avoid little boo-boo's like that.

Getting stuck on one part and writing another scene is something all writer's do, so that's excellent advice.

Sometimes in creating a fully fleshed out character, the plot automatically comes with it. Say I invented a character and started saying he has a sour disposition towards horses. Why? Sometimes little character flaws that you make up and then ask how or she turned out the way, turns into a story.

The way I learned about short stories though is keep it simple. Have your protagonist, your antagonist and maybe one or two supporting players. If it gets anymore involved, turn it into a novel. That's what I wound up doing. LOL!


PM me if you want, I have gobs of resource material and actually started this article that's a kind of "how to" for Fantasy writers.
I don't know if I can post links yet, so just PM for that if nothing else