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A Child's guide to Storytelling
Every story has its opening, doesn’t it? So you might start by saying “In
the beginning” or simply “Once upon a time”.
Then you can tell your story. Keep it simple at first, just the main points –
you don’t want to confuse readers at this stage. Afterwards you can fill in
more details when things start spreading out and moving faster.
Now you can introduce your cast – probably just one or two – even though
crowds od ideas and sub-plots are waiting in your mind, dancing around
seeking attention. You might also want to focus on a behind-the-scenes
character who observes and comments on everything that is going on.
The plot usually begins to thicken by itself – actions and reactions begin
to happen. Children are born. More actions and some surprises. Whole
families. There’s lots going on now. Gosh, how did you ever dream this up?
Floods, sacrifices, burning bushes, travels, troubles, other peoples, other
languages…
Oh golly, here’s where things really get out of control and often you
feel you have changed from writer to reader and it’s all you can do
to catch up with all the developments. But somehow you manage to get
everything back on track and slow down a little. My teacher used to say
‘keep it simple’ but boy you should read some of the stuff the other kids are writing.
Anyway you don’t have to write everything all at once. So even if you
think there’s another episode waiting in the wings, be sure to finish
this one by saying THE END.
© Johnmichael Simon
2018
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