As writers, we’re often told that stories should contain a beginning, a middle and an end. It sounds so simple when it’s put like that. But it’s not simple. And nobody ever seems to expand on that advice.
I was always frustrated by the 3 part structure because I didn’t know what to put in those three parts. Sure, I’ll start at the beginning, but what goes there? What goes at the end? What is in the vast middle?
It took me years to find out the answer, and while I might do a post going into detail at some point, it boils down to this:
- The Beginning
Tell the audience who your main character is and what their world is like. - The Middle
Tell us what happens to change the main character’s world. - The End
Tell us who the main character is now and what their world is like.
Once I realised that, I started challenging myself to writing exercises where I’d write a full story in as short a space as possible. It’s a good warm up exercise and it can spark off some great full length stories. In the end, I found that the best format is 4 sentences.
The Challenge
So, my challenge to you is to write a story in just 4 sentences. The first is the beginning, the second and third are the middle and the fourth is the end. It doesn’t matter if erotica isn’t your bag, you can write any genre you like. Put your stories in the comments or post them and link back here so that I can see the results. Here’s mine for today:
Discovery
Erica found the address scribbled on a napkin in her husband’s jacket pocket. It led her to an abandoned warehouse with loud music and strobe lights, where people danced and fucked. Among them she found Anthony being sodomized by a grinning woman with a six inch dildo. She watched them for half an hour, then she took over.
Nicci Haydon 
Doh! Loved it! Maybe tomorrow I’ll give it a try. Short stories are just my size.
I like short stories too, and these sorts of challenges can force you to think in a new way – I look forward to seeing what you’ve got!
Oh, wow! This is amazing. I like that she watched and then took over.
Thank you 🙂
Erica’s husband had followed her. He watched her while she watched them. He took out a rope, held it in his hands. He stepped towards her.
Haha, thank you, Violet! Nice little continuation of the story, and you’ve used the structure well.
Oh, that curious — and bold — Erica. You did a great job crafting a story in just 4 sentences.
Thank you very much 🙂
Give it a try! It doesn’t yield very visual stories, but it does force a tight structure.
I might have to take you up on that. I’ve written shorter pieces — I think they’re called flash fiction. It’s certainly a different approach than a novel.
Yeah, flash fiction requires a completely different approach. The storyline is everything – more important than rounded characters or good description.
I gave it a shot in a tweet when I shared the link, also made it an homage to Hemingway and maybe to Hunter, too :
I went to the river. The river was gone! “You’re tripping bad,” hubby said. I got out and dried myself off.
Very nice and thank you for the retweet! That’s a sweet little story with a lot going on for 4 very short sentences.
‘Angela, the high school dropout. She no longer feel the need to prove herself, the proof is laying in a pool of blood at her feet. What has she done, but Angela was gone…
Oh my, what has she done?
Maybe that’s a story that I need to finish…mmmmmm
Pingback: Two Tree Branches | August MacGregor