What Makes a Good Story?

A good story is more than a simple recounting of events. Whether real or imaginary, a story is memorable to the reader when all or some of the following are true:

The story makes a point - it is based on a premise.

The audience is able to relate the message to their own lives.

The audience identifies with and cares about the main character - in this case, you.

The main character has a quest or goal.
This needs to be something significant - an audience is generally not interested in a quest to buy vegetables.

The main character faces a problem that threatens to stop him / her from achieving this goal.

There is tension and suspense as the character struggles to overcome the problem.

The main character undergoes a transformation.
He / she becomes kinder, wiser, more capable, more responsible, or stronger (possibly developing inner strength). He / she develops personal, social, or spiritual awareness and changes his / her perspective on life.

Does the story about you have any of these characteristics?

Plan Your Story

On the next page you will see a story map. This may help you to conceptualize your story. If you wish, use it to map the underlying idea and the essential elements of your story. Feel free to modify it or to use a model that is more appropriate for the story you choose to write.

Theme: Type here. Story Map: Fiction Type title / author here. 1. Type here. 2. Type here. 3. Type here. 4. Type here. 5. Type here. 6. Type here. 7. Type here. 8. Type here. 9. Type here. 10. Type here. 11. Type here. 12. Type here. 13. Type here. Rising Action: Problem:
Type here. Climax:
Type here. Resolution:
Type here. Characters / Setting:
Type here.