What elements need a good story?
By katie0
@katie0 (5203)
Japan
January 1, 2011 3:48pm CST
Like how F.r.i.e.n.d.s was so succesful as sitcom, Star Wars as a movie, Agatha Christie as books (people ALWAYS bought them), what do you think it's needed?
Author writing with their hearts? Fear, joy, human conflicts?
4 responses
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
2 Jan 11
There are several key story elements. For one you have to have good character development and continuity throughout the story. In other words if the characters do things that are uncharacteristic it won't make sense! There also has to be a good set up and conflict. There never is a good story without a conflict. The whole story is around the conflict and its resolution.
@katie0 (5203)
• Japan
14 Feb 11
Very right to the point, thanks. What I can see for unfortunately, few opinions only here the carachters and its development it's the most important thing.
I love also a good conflict, the best stories have it right? Luke was Darth Vader's son! Sam and Frodo have a fight and almost get apart, who would carry him and the ring to Mordor?
Cheers, thanks a lot dear.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
1 Jan 11
hi katieo Yes the author needs to write from her heart, and listen to how p eople talk, and learn to show how the various characters feel, show not tell. for example I could just write K athy w as very sensitive and easily upset or I could show ex. Kathy cringed when the tall man'moved close to her. S he wanted to just run, he was just too much,and in her space. She thought, why is he doing this? I don'dt want him touching me,
why won't he leave me alone. She said," back off please, You are in
my personal space. I have nothing more to say to you. thank you for'
bringing me the letter. Good day." Let Kathy show how she feels instead'of you telling how she feels. after all those are Kathy's
feelings.We have to show how our characters are in order for then
to live in your mind as you read the book.
@katie0 (5203)
• Japan
14 Feb 11
Wow, that is amazing Hatley. You're a writer right? Any book published?
I'm writting my book for the second time now, actually I'm editing so much that it seems I'm writting for the 3d time and it seems that only now I really know them. And the first had 120 pages, now it will be 200 or more. Knowing them is the best part cause now I love and admire lots of them.
@okkidokitokki (1736)
• United States
1 Jan 11
I think that the most important thing in any story is that it is believable. Even in fantasy stories we love the ones that we can connect to because they story line is believable.
I am reading Twilight again because I can connect to Bella, yeah I know that I am a grown woman and the story is about a silly girl falling in love with a mythical creature but I can connect to her thoguhts and emotions. That is the most important thing to me.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
30 Jan 11
Personally, the most fundamental elements of a good story is a good character and a good development of that character throughout the story. The character itself can bring reality such as emotions, situations and other aspects of reality to the story. His./her development should always be considered since it is the whole point of the story. You also need to make the character relatable to audiences to make them believable and not some kind of figment of imagination (though technically the character is a figment of imagination). Also, don't forgot the twists in the plot to make things interesting both for the character and the plot.
