2. Getting started What sort of conflict will you focus on? Individual vs self Individual vs other Individual vs society Which themes? Power, fear, violence, difference
3. Your task Choose a POV inspired by the image The image will be the climax of your story You must tell the backstory from that point of view BUT in 3rd person. Think of it as “following” one character rather than “speaking as” that character
4. Review the steps Plan: Graph the action Sizzling start: Start with action, leave out the boring bits Building tension: show don’t tell, use the 5 senses Exciting endings: thematic closure, characters control ending, strong image or line of dialogue.
6. Sizzling start No breakfast eating! Hook your reader (think about your audience!)
7. Building tension Use the 5 senses: see, hear, touch, taste, smell Use EVENTS or SETTINGS or OBJECTS to show not tell rather than telling audience about thoughts or feelings.
8. Exciting endings Vivid image or line of dialogue Thematic closure, but maybe not a “happily ever after” ending. Believable outcomes: characters are responsible for the outcome
