narrative creative writing guide

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Ready to express your experiences through words? Dive into our article on how to write a narrative and master engaging storytelling techniques, making your narratives impactful and memorable.

Storytelling is something people have been doing forever. It’s like sharing stories that bring us closer. From tales told by grandparents to today’s digital stories, it’s how we teach, have fun, and relate. Stories help us make sense of things, remember our past, pass on values, and share our dreams.

Not everyone is a seasoned wordsmith, and that’s perfectly fine. Whether you are a student writing an assignment, an aspiring author, or someone who wants to share their experiences effectively, this article is to help you develop the art of storytelling. In this article, we will guide you on how to write a narrative in a compelling way.

You will learn the nuances of narrative writing, the fundamental elements, and practical insights. You’ll have the tools and knowledge to craft narratives that resonate with readers, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impact.

So, let’s embark on this literary voyage together as we explore the rich landscape of narrative writing step by step.

Table of Contents

What is a narrative?

At its core, a narrative is a method of storytelling, a way to convey events or experiences. Think of it as a structured account that unfolds in a chronological sequence. Narratives can take many forms, including books, movies, or even the tales shared by grandparents. They provide a framework for organizing a story so that it makes sense to the audience.

When you write a narrative, you’re taking your readers on a journey. It’s a guide to take them through a series of connected events, often with characters and a specific setting. It also includes a plot that unveils a problem or situation, a conflict that creates tension, and, ultimately, a resolution that ties up loose ends.

B. Key elements of a narrative

1. characters.

Characters are the heart and soul of any narrative. They are the individuals who portray your story. They guide readers through their experiences, emotions, and transformations. These characters can be real people, imaginary beings, or even symbolic representations. Their personalities, motives, and interactions add depth and humanity to your narrative.

The setting is where your story happens. It tells when and where things are going on. It helps readers see the world of your story. It can be a city, a small town, another planet, or a time in history. The setting sets the mood and affects the story.

The plot is what the story is all about. It’s the events that move the story forward. Think of it as a road map for you and your readers. A good plot keeps readers interested and eager to see what comes next.

4. Conflict

Conflict is what drives your story. It’s the problems or challenges your characters face. It’s what keeps readers interested, wondering how the characters will deal with these issues. Conflict can be things outside or inside a character.

5. Resolution

The resolution is the point where your narrative ties up loose ends and provides closure. It answers the questions posed by the conflict and often offers a sense of catharsis or fulfillment. It’s the moment when readers find out what happens to the characters they’ve come to know and care about.

Understanding these key elements and how they work together is the foundation of crafting a compelling narrative.

How to write a narrative: Choosing your narrative subject

Selecting the right subject for your narrative is crucial in crafting a compelling and engaging story. It’s the foundation upon which your entire narrative will be built, influencing the characters, plot, and overall impact of your storytelling.

• The significance of selecting the right subject
• Personal experiences:
• Fictional stories:

Observation:

Conversations:, historical events:, dreams and imagination:, a. the significance of selecting the right subject.

Selecting the right subject for your narrative is a critical step in the writing process. The subject serves as the foundation upon which your entire narrative is built. It shapes the story’s theme, tone, and the message you wish to convey.

Think of the subject as the lens through which your readers will view your narrative. It’s the aspect of your story that will resonate with them, evoke emotions, and ultimately leave a lasting impression. The significance of choosing the right subject cannot be overstated.  It determines the overall impact and effectiveness of your narrative.

To select the right subject, consider your audience, your own interests, and the message you want to communicate. Whether it’s a personal experience, a work of fiction, or a historical event, ensure that the subject aligns with your purpose. It should also resonate with your intended readers.

B. Personal experiences vs. fictional stories

When embarking on your narrative journey, you face a fundamental choice: do you draw from personal experiences or create fictional stories? Each approach has its merits, and the decision largely depends on your goals and the story you wish to tell.

   – Personal experiences:

Drawing from your own life experiences can infuse authenticity into your narrative. It allows you to tap into your emotions and memories, providing a rich source of material. However, it may require introspection and the willingness to delve into personal vulnerabilities.

   – Fictional stories:

Creating fictional stories offers creative freedom. You can craft unique worlds, characters, and scenarios, giving you full control over the narrative. This approach often requires imaginative thinking and world-building skills.

   Ultimately, the choice between personal experiences and fictional stories depends on your comfort level, the intended message, and the emotional impact you wish to achieve. Some writers blend elements of both to create narratives that resonate deeply with readers.

C. Finding inspiration for your narrative

 Inspiration is the spark that ignites your narrative. It can be found in many places; often, the most compelling narratives emerge from unexpected sources. Here are some ways to uncover inspiration:

Pay close attention to the world around you. People-watching, nature, and everyday events can provide inspiration for characters, settings, and plots.

Explore a variety of books, genres, and styles. Reading can expose you to different storytelling techniques and trigger your own creativity.

Engage in conversations with people from diverse backgrounds. Listening to their experiences and perspectives can generate ideas for your narrative.

Historical events, whether well-known or obscure, can serve as a rich source of inspiration. They offer a glimpse into different time periods and the human experience.

Don’t underestimate the power of your own imagination. Dreams, daydreams, and fantasies can be fertile ground for narrative ideas.

In the quest for inspiration, keep a journal or digital note-taking tool handy to capture fleeting ideas. The more you cultivate your ability to find inspiration, the more vibrant and engaging your narratives will become.

Crafting compelling and relatable characters in a narrative

Characters are the heart of your story, the individuals your readers or audience will connect with and care about. In this section, we’ll dive into the art of creating compelling and relatable characters.

Physical attributes:

Personality:, goals and aspirations:, character traits:, motivations:, emotional depth:, realistic reactions:, universal themes:, character growth:, a. developing well-rounded characters.

Crafting characters that resonate with your readers is a cornerstone of effective storytelling. Well-rounded characters are more than mere names on a page; they come to life, eliciting emotions and driving the narrative forward. To develop such characters, consider the following aspects:

Describe their appearance in detail, but don’t stop there. Think about how their physical traits influence their actions and interactions.

Give your characters distinct personalities. Are they introverted or extroverted? Optimistic or pessimistic? Understanding their traits helps readers relate to them.

What experiences have shaped your characters? Their past can reveal their motivations and explain their behavior.

What do your characters want to achieve? Their goals drive the plot and reveal their desires.

B. Character traits, motivations, and flaws

Characters should be multifaceted, possessing both strengths and weaknesses. This complexity makes them relatable and engaging.

Identify key personality traits for each character. Are they courageous, compassionate, or cunning? These traits inform their choices and actions.

Delve into what drives your characters. Their motivations provide insight into their decisions and add depth to their development.

Imperfections make characters believable. Consider their shortcomings, whether it’s a short temper, insecurity, or a tendency to be overly trusting.

Combining positive traits, motivations, and flaws creates characters that readers can connect with on an emotional level. It allows them to see themselves in the characters’ struggles and triumphs.

C. The importance of relatable characters

Relatable characters are the bridge between the narrative and the reader. When readers can see elements of themselves in a character, they become emotionally invested in the story. To make characters relatable:

Characters should experience a range of emotions, mirroring the human experience. Show their fears, hopes, and vulnerabilities.

Characters should react to situations in a way that feels genuine. How would a real person respond to the challenges they face?

Explore themes that resonate with a broad audience, such as love, loss, ambition, or self-discovery. These themes evoke empathy.

Allow characters to evolve and learn from their experiences. Growth demonstrates their relatability and adds depth to the narrative.

In short, crafting well-rounded characters with distinct traits, motivations, and flaws is vital for a compelling narrative. Readers connect with characters who feel real and who mirror the complexities of human nature. When characters are relatable, they become the emotional anchors that keep readers engaged in your story.

Building an evocative setting for the narrative

The setting is the backdrop against which your story unfolds, and it plays a significant role in shaping the mood, atmosphere, and even the characters’ experiences. In this section, we’ll explore the art of crafting a vivid and memorable setting.

• Setting as a backdrop for the story

Visual imagery:

Auditory details:, tactile sensations, scents and smells, a. setting as a backdrop for the story.

The setting of your narrative is like the canvas upon which the story unfolds. It provides the stage, the atmosphere, and the context in which your characters and plot come to life. Just as a painter selects the perfect background to enhance their subject, choosing the right setting can significantly impact your narrative.

The setting is not merely a backdrop; it is an active participant in your story, influencing character actions, emotions, and the overall mood. It’s the difference between a story set in a bustling metropolis and one in a serene countryside. Your choice of setting sets the stage for the reader, helping them visualize and immerse themselves in the world you’ve created.

B. Creating a sense of place through description

Effective storytelling relies on the art of vivid description. When it comes to the setting, your goal is to transport the reader into the world you’ve envisioned. This involves painting a sensory-rich picture through words. Here’s how to do it:

Describe the physical elements of the setting. What does it look like? What colors dominate? Is it urban or natural, modern or historical?

Bring the setting to life with sounds. Is there the hum of traffic, the chirping of birds, or the distant roar of the ocean? These auditory cues help readers “hear” the setting.

Engage the reader’s sense of touch. Is the air humid or crisp? Is the ground soft with grass or hard with concrete? Make them feel the environment.

Don’t forget the sense of smell. Is there the aroma of freshly baked bread, the scent of blooming flowers, or the acrid smell of industry? Smells can evoke powerful memories and emotions.

   – Taste: If relevant, describe the taste of the setting. It could be the saltiness of sea air or the sweetness of ripe fruit. Taste can evoke nostalgia and intimacy.

Effective description immerses the reader in your setting, making it feel tangible and real. It allows them to experience the world you’ve created with all their senses.

C. Using the setting to enhance the narrative’s mood and tone

The setting is a potent tool for shaping the mood and tone of your narrative. It can convey a sense of foreboding on a dark, stormy night or evoke tranquility in a peaceful meadow. Here’s how to harness the setting’s power:

Consider the emotional atmosphere you want to convey. Does your narrative call for suspense, romance, nostalgia, or adventure? The setting can be manipulated to evoke the desired mood.

Think about the overall feeling you want to convey. Is your story meant to be lighthearted, solemn, or thought-provoking? The setting can set the tone by reflecting the characters’ emotions and the story’s themes.

Use the setting symbolically to enhance the narrative’s depth. For example, a decaying, abandoned building can symbolize the passage of time or a character’s inner turmoil.

Explore contrasts within the setting to create tension or highlight themes. A peaceful countryside interrupted by a stark industrial complex can symbolize the clash of nature and technology.

By strategically using the setting to amplify mood and tone, you can enrich your narrative, making it resonate more deeply with readers. The setting becomes a dynamic element that enhances the emotional impact of your story, enveloping readers in an immersive world of words.

Crafting a captivating plot for your narrative

Crafting a captivating plot is the backbone of any compelling narrative. It’s the sequence of events, conflicts, and resolutions that drive your story forward, keeping your audience engaged and eager to know what happens next.

• Act 1: Setup
• Act 2: Conflict
• Act 3: Resolution
• Cliffhangers:

A. Introduction to the narrative structure

The narrative structure is the blueprint that guides your story’s development. It’s the invisible framework that ensures your narrative flows logically and captivates your audience. Think of it as the skeleton that holds the body of your story together. This structure typically consists of a beginning, middle, and end, each serving a distinct purpose:

This is where you introduce your characters, setting, and the initial situation. You set the stage, hooking your readers and giving them a reason to continue.

The middle is the heart of your story, where conflicts and obstacles arise. Tensions build, characters evolve, and the plot thickens. This is often the longest part of the narrative.

The end brings resolution. It ties up loose ends, answers questions, and provides closure. It’s the final destination your readers have been journeying toward.

B. The three-act structure: Setup, conflict, resolution

The three-act structure is a widely used framework for crafting compelling narratives. It divides your story into three distinct acts, each with its role:

– Act 1: Setup

In this initial act, you introduce your characters, setting, and the central conflict or problem. Your readers become acquainted with the world you’ve created and the characters who inhabit it. This act sets the stage, creating the foundation upon which the story will unfold.

– Act 2: Conflict

Act 2 is the meat of your narrative, where the main conflict and rising action take center stage. This is where challenges, obstacles, and complications arise, keeping readers engaged and invested in the story. Tensions escalate, character arcs develop, and the plot thickens, building towards the story’s climax.

– Act 3: Resolution

The final act provides resolution and closure. Loose ends are tied up, questions are answered, and characters’ fates are revealed. The resolution should provide a satisfying conclusion to the story, leaving your readers with a sense of fulfillment.

The three-act structure serves as a roadmap for your narrative, ensuring a balanced and engaging progression. It helps maintain the reader’s interest by providing a logical and satisfying sequence of events.

C. Incorporating tension and pacing

Tension and pacing are the engines that drive your narrative. They keep readers eagerly turning the pages, eager to discover what happens next. Here’s how to incorporate them effectively:

– Tension:

Tension arises from conflicts and challenges that hinder your characters from achieving their goals. It keeps readers engaged and invested in the story’s outcome. To create tension, introduce obstacles, uncertainties, and dilemmas that the characters must confront and overcome.

– Pacing:

Pacing refers to the rhythm and speed at which your narrative unfolds. It’s essential to balance moments of tension and action with moments of reflection and character development. Varying the pacing can create a dynamic reading experience, allowing readers to catch their breath before plunging back into the action.

– Cliffhangers:

Ending chapters or sections with suspenseful questions or unresolved conflicts can be an effective way to maintain tension and keep readers hooked.

Crafting a captivating plot requires a delicate balance of structure, tension, and pacing. When executed skillfully, your plot will propel your narrative forward, keeping readers eagerly immersed in the story’s twists and turns.

Establishing conflict for your narrative

Conflict is what propels your narrative forward, creating a sense of urgency and making the story more relatable and engaging. Here are the insights and techniques to develop compelling challenges that drive your narrative’s progression.

• Creating tension:
• Character development:
• Engaging the audience:
• Driving the plot:
• Internal conflict:
• External conflict:
• Rising action:
• Reader engagement:
• Resolution:

A. The role of conflict in storytelling

Conflict is the beating heart of storytelling. It’s the engine that propels narratives forward, captivating readers and holding their attention. In essence, conflict is the central problem or tension that characters face, and it serves several vital roles in storytelling:

– Creating tension:

Conflict introduces uncertainty and tension into the narrative. It leaves readers wondering how characters will overcome obstacles or resolve their issues.

– Character development:

Conflict forces characters to confront challenges, revealing their strengths, weaknesses, and growth throughout the story.

– Engaging the audience:

Conflict resonates with readers because it mirrors real-life struggles. It draws them into the narrative by tapping into their own experiences and emotions.

– Driving the plot:

Conflict provides the narrative with direction. It offers a clear goal or problem that characters must address, guiding the story’s progression.

B. Types of conflict: Internal and external

Conflict can manifest in various forms, but two primary categories are internal and external conflict:

– Internal conflict:

This is the battle that takes place within a character’s mind or heart. It often involves conflicting emotions, beliefs, or desires. Internal conflict adds depth to characters as they grapple with their inner demons or moral dilemmas. For example, a character torn between loyalty to family and personal ambition experiences internal conflict.

– External conflict:

External conflict arises from outside sources and can take many shapes, such as:

      – Man vs. man: Character vs. character conflict, often involving opposing goals or values.

      – Man vs. nature: Characters pitted against natural forces, like a survival story in the wilderness.

      – Man vs. society: Characters challenge societal norms, laws, or expectations.

      – Man vs. technology: Conflict stemming from technological advancements or limitations.

      – Man vs. supernatural: Characters facing supernatural or paranormal elements.

Effective storytelling often combines both internal and external conflicts to create well-rounded characters and engaging narratives.

C. How conflict drives the narrative forward

Conflict is the driving force behind your narrative’s momentum. It compels readers to keep turning the pages to see how characters confront and resolve their challenges. Here’s how conflict fuels the narrative:

– Rising action:

As conflict intensifies, it leads to rising action, where tensions build, and the plot thickens. Readers become increasingly invested in the story.

Conflict pushes characters out of their comfort zones, forcing them to adapt and evolve. This evolution creates engaging character arcs that mirror real human growth.

– Reader engagement:

Conflict keeps readers engaged by creating anticipation. They want to see how characters will overcome obstacles or resolve their problems.

– Resolution:

Ultimately, conflict culminates in the story’s resolution. Whether it’s a happy ending or a tragic one, resolving the conflict provides closure and satisfaction for the reader.

Conflict is not merely an element of storytelling; it’s the lifeblood of narratives. It generates tension, shapes characters, and drives the plot forward, ensuring that your story remains compelling and memorable.

Resolving the narrative

Resolving the narrative is the critical conclusion that brings closure to your story. This part answers lingering questions and provides a sense of fulfillment for your readers or viewers. It’s the moment where loose ends are tied up, conflicts find their resolution, and the story’s overall message is conveyed.

• Emotional catharsis:
• Reflecting themes:
• Reader satisfaction:
• Plot points:
• Character arcs:
• Unanswered questions:
• Main storyline:

A. The importance of a satisfying resolution

A satisfying resolution is the culmination of your narrative, the moment when all the pieces of the storytelling puzzle fall into place. It’s the payoff that readers have been eagerly anticipating throughout the story. The resolution serves several vital functions:

– Closure:

It provides closure to the narrative, offering a sense of finality that leaves readers with a feeling of fulfillment.

– Emotional catharsis:

A well-executed resolution can elicit strong emotions from your readers, whether it’s tears of joy, sadness, or a profound sense of contentment.

– Reflecting themes:

The resolution often reflects the themes and messages you’ve woven into your narrative, offering insight or a moral lesson.

– Reader satisfaction:

A satisfying resolution is a reward for your readers’ investment in the story. It ensures they walk away with a sense of gratification.

B. Avoiding loose ends and unanswered questions

Loose ends and unanswered questions can leave readers feeling unsatisfied and frustrated. To create a strong resolution, ensure that all significant plot points, character arcs, and lingering questions are addressed:

– Plot points:

Tie up any plot threads and unresolved conflicts. Readers should have a clear understanding of how the central problem was resolved.

– Character arcs:

Ensure that each character’s journey reaches a meaningful conclusion. Characters should experience growth, change, or transformation over the course of the narrative.

– Unanswered questions:

Address any lingering questions or mysteries that were introduced earlier in the story. Leaving readers with some ambiguity can be effective, but it should feel intentional and thought-provoking, not haphazard.

C. Wrapping up character arcs and storylines

One of the most satisfying aspects of a resolution is seeing how characters’ story arcs and various storylines are wrapped up:

Characters should experience resolution to their personal conflicts and growth. This resolution should align with the changes they’ve undergone throughout the narrative.

– Main storyline:

The central storyline of your narrative should reach a satisfying conclusion, whether it’s a happy ending, a bittersweet one, or a tragic outcome. It should reflect the story’s themes and messages.

– Subplots:

If you’ve introduced subplots, ensure they are also addressed in the resolution. These can add depth and complexity to your narrative, and readers will expect to see how they play out.

Crafting a resolution that ties up all loose ends and provides emotional closure is a skill that sets exceptional storytelling apart. When readers close the book or finish the last page, they should do so with a sense of satisfaction, knowing they’ve completed a meaningful narrative journey.

Techniques for effective narrative writing

Techniques for effective narrative writing are the tools that transform your ideas and creativity into a captivating story. These techniques encompass the use of literary devices, style, and storytelling strategies that make your narrative engaging and memorable.

• Use descriptive language
• Show emotions through actions
• Dialogue and inner thoughts
• Distinctive voices
• Reveal character traits
• Advance the plot
• Show, Don’t Tell (Again)
• Action-driven exposition
• Flashbacks and backstory

A. Show, don’t tell

“Show, don’t tell” is a fundamental principle of effective storytelling. It’s the art of conveying information, emotions, and experiences through vivid and sensory-rich descriptions, allowing readers to engage with the narrative on a deeper level. Here’s how to master this technique:

– Use descriptive language:

Paint pictures with words by using descriptive language that appeals to the reader’s senses. Instead of saying, “She was sad,” you might describe her as “her eyes welled up with tears, and her voice quivered.”

– Show emotions through actions:

Instead of explicitly stating a character’s emotions, reveal them through their actions, gestures, and body language. For example, “He clenched his fists and turned away” conveys anger more effectively than simply saying, “He was angry.”

– Dialogue and inner thoughts:

Leverage dialogue and a character’s inner thoughts to reveal their feelings, motivations, and conflicts. These provide a window into the character’s mindset and add depth to their portrayal.

By showing rather than telling, you immerse readers in the narrative, allowing them to experience the story as if they were living it themselves.

B. Dialogue as a tool for character development

Dialogue is a potent tool for character development and storytelling. It’s through dialogue that characters come to life, their personalities are revealed, and their relationships are explored. To use dialogue effectively:

– Distinctive voices:

Ensure each character has a unique voice, reflecting their personality, background, and motivations. This helps readers distinguish between characters.

– Reveal character traits:

Use dialogue to unveil character traits, such as their sense of humor, beliefs, or fears. Show how they interact with others and express themselves.

– Advance the plot:

Dialogue should serve a purpose beyond just conversation. It can reveal information, drive the plot forward, or create conflict and tension.

– Subtext:

Often, what characters don’t say can be as significant as what they do say. Subtext in dialogue adds depth and intrigue, allowing readers to infer underlying emotions and conflicts.

Effective dialogue not only advances the plot but also brings characters to life, making them relatable and engaging.

C. Balancing exposition and action

Finding the right balance between exposition (the presentation of information) and action (the unfolding events) is crucial for maintaining reader engagement. Here’s how to strike that balance:

– Show, Don’t Tell (Again):

Instead of delivering information through lengthy exposition, weave it into the narrative naturally. Show details through character actions, thoughts, and dialogue.

– Timing:

Introduce exposition when it’s relevant and necessary for understanding the story. Avoid overwhelming readers with information early on; let it unfold organically.

– Action-driven exposition:

Whenever possible, incorporate exposition into scenes with action or conflict. This keeps the narrative dynamic and prevents information from feeling static.

– Flashbacks and backstory:

If backstory is essential, consider using techniques like flashbacks or character recollections to reveal it in a more engaging manner.

Striking the right balance ensures that your narrative flows smoothly and keeps readers immersed in the story without unnecessary interruptions.

These techniques are the tools of a skilled narrative writer. Mastering the art of “show, don’t tell,” using dialogue effectively, and balancing exposition and action can elevate your storytelling, making it engaging, immersive, and emotionally resonant for your readers.

Editing and revising your narrative

Editing and revising your narrative is a crucial step from a draft to a polished and compelling story. It’s where you refine your language, structure, and overall presentation to ensure your narrative is as impactful as possible.

• Clarity and coherence:
• Plot refinement:
• Language and style:
• Eliminating errors:
• Choose trusted readers:
• Specific questions:
• Open-mindedness:
• Balance of perspectives:
• Sentence structure:
• Transitions:
• Consistency:
• Word choice:
• Final proofreading:

A. The value of multiple drafts

The process of crafting a compelling narrative doesn’t end with the final sentence of your first draft. In fact, it’s only the beginning. Multiple drafts are the secret ingredient to refining your narrative and transforming it into a polished work of art. Here’s why they are invaluable:

– Clarity and coherence:

Multiple drafts allow you to revisit and refine your narrative for clarity and coherence. You can identify areas where the story might be confusing or where transitions between scenes need improvement.

With each draft, you can deepen character arcs and motivations. You can fine-tune character voices, making them more distinct and engaging.

– Plot refinement:

Subplots, pacing, and plot holes can be addressed and resolved through successive drafts. This ensures a more satisfying and well-structured narrative.

– Language and style:

You can experiment with language, style, and sentence structure to find the most effective ways to convey your story. This fine-tuning elevates the overall quality of your writing.

– Eliminating errors:

Drafts help you catch and rectify grammar, spelling, and typographical errors. These can distract readers from the story and diminish its impact.

B. Seeking feedback from others

Writing is a solitary endeavor, but feedback from others is a crucial part of the editing process. Other perspectives can uncover blind spots and provide valuable insights. Here’s how to approach seeking feedback:

– Choose trusted readers:

Select individuals whose opinions you value and who can provide constructive criticism. They may be fellow writers, friends, or editors.

– Specific questions:

Ask your readers specific questions about your narrative, such as their thoughts on character development, pacing, or the overall impact of the story.

– Open-mindedness:

Be open to feedback, even if it challenges your original vision. Constructive criticism can lead to significant improvements.

– Balance of perspectives:

Consider feedback from multiple sources to gain a well-rounded view of your narrative’s strengths and weaknesses.

C. Polishing the narrative for clarity and coherence

The final stages of editing involve polishing your narrative for maximum clarity and coherence. This is where you focus on the finer details to ensure your story flows seamlessly:

– Sentence structure:

Review sentence structure for variety and readability. Avoid overly complex sentences that may confuse readers.

– Transitions:

Smooth transitions between scenes, paragraphs, and chapters. Ensure that the narrative flows logically, guiding readers effortlessly through the story.

– Consistency:

Check for consistency in character traits, settings, and plot details. Eliminate any contradictions or discrepancies.

– Word choice:

Pay attention to word choice and diction. Select words that convey your intended meaning precisely and effectively.

– Final proofreading:

Conduct a final proofread to catch any remaining grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. This step is essential for a polished, professional finish.

Editing and revising is where your narrative truly takes shape and shines. It’s a process that demands time, patience, and a critical eye, but the result is a narrative that is well-crafted, compelling, and ready to captivate your readers.

Now that you know how to write a narrative, it’s time to put pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard. Writing is a craft that improves with practice. Start with short stories or journal entries and gradually work up to longer narratives. Remember that every writer begins as a beginner and improves with time. Don’t be discouraged by initial challenges; embrace them as growth opportunities.

As a storyteller, you can touch hearts, spark imagination, and create lasting impressions. So, take your newfound knowledge, embrace the art of narrative writing, and embark on a journey of storytelling that will captivate and resonate with your readers and audiences.

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Blog • Perfecting your Craft

Last updated on Jan 02, 2024

Narrative Structure: Definition, Examples, and Writing Tips

As you plot out your novel, story structure will likely be at the top of your mind. But there’s something else you’ll need to consider in addition to that: narrative structure. While story structure is the overall flow of the story , from the exposition to the rising and falling action, narrative structure is the framing that supports it. Let’s take a deeper dive into what that means.

What is narrative structure?

A narrative structure is the order in which a story’s events are presented. It is the framework from which a writer can hang individual scenes and plot points with the aim of maximizing tension, interest, excitement, or mystery.

Traditionally, most stories start at the chronological beginning ("once upon a time") and finish at the end ("and they lived happily ever after"). However, a story can technically be told in any order. Writers can arrange their plot points in a way that creates suspense — by omitting certain details or revealing information out of order, for example. 

Sometimes, storytellers will begin in the middle and literally 'cut to the chase' before revealing the backstory later on. In short, narrative structure is a powerful tool that writers can wield to great effect if handled with care and consideration. 

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Types of narrative structure

There’s a whole branch of literary criticism dedicated to studying narrative structure: narratology. We won’t quite go into academic depth, but it’s important to know the main types of structure available for your narrative so you can best choose the one that serves your story’s purpose. Here are four of the most common types of narrative structure used in books and movies. 

Linear narrative structure is exactly what it sounds like — when a story is told chronologically from beginning to end. Events follow each other logically and you can easily link the causality of one event to another. At no point does the narrative hop into the past or the future. The story is focused purely on what is happening now. It’s one of the most common types of narrative structures seen in most books, movies, or TV shows.

Example: Pride and Prejudice

A great example of a linear narrative is Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice . We follow Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy's love story from their first disastrous meeting to when they fall in love and admit their feelings for each other. All of the events are presented in the order that they occur, and we can easily see how one misunderstanding led to another right until the very end. 

2. Nonlinear

On the flip side, a nonlinear narrative is when a story is told out of order — where scenes from the beginning, middle, and end are mixed up, or in some cases, the chronology may be unclear. With this freedom to jump around in time, new information or perspectives can be introduced at the point in the story where they can have maximum impact. A common feature of this type of narrative is the use of extended flashbacks. 

These types of stories tend to be character-centric. Hopping through time allows the author to focus on the characters' emotional states as they process different events and contrast them against  their previous or future selves .

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But why would you choose to tell a whole story in such a confusing way? One thing nonlinear structures allow a writer to do is heighten suspense. Since events don’t necessarily logically follow each other, you never know what will happen next . They can also disorient the audience and leave them feeling off-kilter, which is incredibly useful if you’re writing horror or suspense, though this structure certainly isn’t limited to these genres.

Example: Amores perros

Alejandro González Iñárritu’s 2000 film Amores Perros is a prime example of how a nonlinear narrative can heighten suspense and create a character-centric story. The film is a triptych, three stories following different characters in Mexico City whose lives intersect with a car crash shown in the opening scene. 

The first third of the movie flashes back to tell the story of Octavio, a young man involved in underground dog fights who is in love with his brother’s wife. Most of the second story takes place after the crash and centers on Valeria, a Spanish model injured in that wreck, while the final storyline takes place in both timelines and focuses on a hitman, El Chivo, who we first meet in Octavio’s story.

The nonlinear nature of the film allows the director to explore and juxtapose the nuances of each character's struggles. Every character’s story is anchored by the opening. As Octavio, Valeria, and El Chivo move closer to the time of the car crash that will upend their lives, there’s a mounting tension as the audience knows what’s going to happen, but has no idea how it will affect them. 

This is a general type of nonlinear narrative. However, some subtypes are more commonly seen in fiction, such as the parallel narrative. 

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3. Parallel

A parallel narrative is where two or more stories are told concurrently, though they may not always be happening at the same time. This is common in stories with multiple lead characters and viewpoints . They tend to be interconnected, though how they relate may not be immediately obvious. 

Eventually, the story threads in a parallel structure will dovetail, resulting in some kind of plot twist or revelation. As a result, parallel structures are often used in thrillers or historical fiction novels.

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Example: Gone Girl

Gillian Flynn’s best-selling domestic thriller is a masterclass in parallel narratives. The story of suburban teacher Nick’s reaction to his wife’s mysterious disappearance is interspersed with flashbacks taken from Amy’s diary, revealing the shaky state of Nick and Amy's relationship.

The reader is presented with two unreliable narrators: the idealized life Nick presents to the media following Amy’s disappearance stands in stark contrast to the diary entries that reveal Nick's affair and the difficulties of their personal lives. The back and forth of the narrative only increases the tension as the readers try to figure out what’s real, what’s a lie , and what will happen next. 

4. Episodic

You can think of episodic narratives as interconnected short stories that contribute to a larger story arc. Each individual story has a beginning, middle, and end, but the larger arc unites them in some way . Usually, this type of structure follows the same set of characters in a specific setting or situation. You’ll recognize this type of narrative in TV programs like sitcoms and medical dramas, where episodes can, broadly speaking, be watched in any order. 

Example: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The popular 90’s TV show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is something of a pioneering show, balancing its monster-of-the-week format (“the gang must stop a vampire cheerleader!”) with a slow unraveling of a season-long plot that culminates in a fight against a larger enemy (“the town’s mayor is a demon!”).

While many other episodic TV shows prioritized maintaining the status quo at the end of each episode, one of Buffy’s strengths was its willingness to tell grander stories within the framework of episodic storytelling. With these narrative seeds being planted across 20-plus episodes, its season finales were often more impactful than those of its contemporaries.  

Choosing a structure to fit your story

Now that you have an understanding of some of the most popular narrative structures, you need to decide which one to use for your story. It’s important that the structure you choose works with the kind of story you want to tell and adds something to the overall experience, but that doesn’t mean you need to reinvent the wheel. 

Experimenting with non-traditional structure can be a great way to improve your writing and challenge yourself but if you’re finding it difficult or more confusing than helpful, there’s nothing wrong with using a linear structure. After all, it’s popular for a reason — it works, and many famous and well-regarded stories have been written that way. 

If you do want to try your hand at non-linear structure, consider these tips. 

Identify your beginning, middle, and end

Every story has a beginning, middle, and end, even if you’re telling it out of order. In some cases, the story you’re telling narratively might rely a lot on events outside the plot's main focus. Often, that also means the inciting incident and the height of the story happen in a compressed amount of time.

In that case, a nonlinear structure might be helpful. It will introduce the exposition that’s needed for the “beginning” throughout the story without derailing your plot and pacing. In cases like this, figuring out your chronology is incredibly important — and we recommend mapping it out on paper to avoid confusion.

Find the right place to reveal information

Many stories rely on the careful reveal of information to keep the plot moving and the tension high. In a typical linear narrative, this timing is fairly straightforward — the reader finds out new things at the same time the characters do. However, when using a nonlinear or parallel structure, you’ll need to be even more judicious with how you feed readers this information.

When the reader knows something the character doesn’t, it creates suspense. When the character knows something the reader doesn’t, it creates intrigue. Both of these are great tools for a writer, but they can’t be maintained over a full narrative — that would be tedious and confusing for a reader.

Rather, suspense and intrigue should be created and dissipated throughout the story. And if you aren’t sure you’ve done this successfully, you’ll know it’s time to consult your  test audience or a professional editor .

Whatever narrative structure you choose, remember that it should work for you and for your story. If you’re not having fun or it’s proving too difficult, changing course and trying another one is alright. Experimentation is all a part of the process. Happy writing!

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• Knowledge Base
• How to write a narrative essay | Example & tips

How to Write a Narrative Essay | Example & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A narrative essay tells a story. In most cases, this is a story about a personal experience you had. This type of essay , along with the descriptive essay , allows you to get personal and creative, unlike most academic writing .

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Table of contents

What is a narrative essay for, choosing a topic, interactive example of a narrative essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about narrative essays.

When assigned a narrative essay, you might find yourself wondering: Why does my teacher want to hear this story? Topics for narrative essays can range from the important to the trivial. Usually the point is not so much the story itself, but the way you tell it.

A narrative essay is a way of testing your ability to tell a story in a clear and interesting way. You’re expected to think about where your story begins and ends, and how to convey it with eye-catching language and a satisfying pace.

These skills are quite different from those needed for formal academic writing. For instance, in a narrative essay the use of the first person (“I”) is encouraged, as is the use of figurative language, dialogue, and suspense.

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Narrative essay assignments vary widely in the amount of direction you’re given about your topic. You may be assigned quite a specific topic or choice of topics to work with.

• Write a story about your first day of school.
• Write a story about your favorite holiday destination.

You may also be given prompts that leave you a much wider choice of topic.

• Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself.
• Write about an achievement you are proud of. What did you accomplish, and how?

In these cases, you might have to think harder to decide what story you want to tell. The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to talk about a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

For example, a trip where everything went according to plan makes for a less interesting story than one where something unexpected happened that you then had to respond to. Choose an experience that might surprise the reader or teach them something.

Narrative essays in college applications

When applying for college , you might be asked to write a narrative essay that expresses something about your personal qualities.

For example, this application prompt from Common App requires you to respond with a narrative essay.

In this context, choose a story that is not only interesting but also expresses the qualities the prompt is looking for—here, resilience and the ability to learn from failure—and frame the story in a way that emphasizes these qualities.

An example of a short narrative essay, responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” is shown below.

Hover over different parts of the text to see how the structure works.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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If you’re not given much guidance on what your narrative essay should be about, consider the context and scope of the assignment. What kind of story is relevant, interesting, and possible to tell within the word count?

The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to reflect on a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

Don’t worry too much if your topic seems unoriginal. The point of a narrative essay is how you tell the story and the point you make with it, not the subject of the story itself.

Narrative essays are usually assigned as writing exercises at high school or in university composition classes. They may also form part of a university application.

When you are prompted to tell a story about your own life or experiences, a narrative essay is usually the right response.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

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Creative writing ,

What is narrative writing a comprehensive guide.

By Emma-Claire Wilson

Fundamentally, narrative writing connects events in our stories using character, conflict, plot, setting and theme to create a narrative writing arc. 

Throughout this article, I will highlight different types of narrative writing. I will also explain the six key elements that make up narrative writing and why they are crucial.  

I will also offer some tips on how to use narrative structure in your own writing effectively.  

What Is Narrative Writing?

Narrative writing is, quite literally, exactly what it says on the tin. Narrative writing is a structure of storytelling told in a narrative manner. Only, nothing is really that simple when it comes to the world of writing, is it?  

There is so much more to learn about how the rules of narrative writing could help elevate your own work in progress.  

It doesn’t matter if you are writing fiction, non-fiction, short stories, descriptive essays or full-length novels, narrative writing utilises the six key elements of writing to convey a story to a reader, often using the age-old technique of writing a ‘beginning, middle and end’ (linear) structure. But not always… narrative writing can also be non-linear! 

I told you it wasn’t as simple as you may have first thought.  

Think back to your school days. We were taught the basics of storytelling from a young age, and we were taught at first to write in a narrative format. We were being taught how ‘ tell a story’ .  

Over the years we develop ways to make those stories more compelling, more complex, and sometimes more emotional, but at the heart of it, we were learning narrative structure.  

Linear Narrative Writing Vs Non-Linear Narrative Writing  

Before we talk about the key elements that all narrative writing relies on, it’s important to know the difference between linear and non-linear narrative writing. Overall, there are five different styles of narrative writing, but understanding the difference between linear and non-linear is crucial, as each of the others can be written in either of these sub-styles.  

Linear Narrative

What is a linear narrative  .

Linear narrative describes a structure of narrative writing that follows a traditional pattern. It’s a narration that tells a story of events in the order in which they occur, in sequence.  

Linear narrative is the most common form of writing and is the most basic of structures, following a story in a continuous fashion from beginning to end, describing events as they happen. 

A writer will still use all six key elements of narrative writing to complete the structure, but they’ll stick to a flow that unfolds in a chronological manner.  

What Is The Benefit Of Writing In A Linear Narrative Style?  

When writing in a linear style, character arcs and causation are easily identifiable on the page. As humans, we lead linear lives, so to see this replicated on the page can often create an instant sense of understanding with a reader.  

What Is An Example Of A Linear Narrative In Fiction?  

An obvious example of a linear narrative can be found in Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. The entire novel is written in a linear fashion. Although Crusoe often remarks about memories of the past, we are propelled through the novel in chronological order. 

Non-Linear Narrative

What is a non-linear narrative  .

Non-linear narrative is the direct opposite of linear narrative. This structure of narrative writing presents a story with events unfolding out of order.  

The events in the narrative/story are not told chronologically and will often make use of devices such as flashbacks to transport the reader back (or indeed forward) in time. 

What Are The Benefits Of Writing In A Non-Linear Style?  

Non-linear writing can be trickier to pull off and the writer must be careful not to use ‘flashbacks’ to info-dump on the reader. However, if successfully used, a non-linear structure allows a writer to tell a story, slowly releasing information from the past to highlight issues in the present, or even hint at possible issues in the future.  

Non-linear writing can help to represent changes in your character’s emotional state, or even highlight reasons why your character is acting a certain way. For example, if past traumas resurface, highlighting these will give your characters depth and help create a strong character arc.  

Non-linear writing can also be used to create and build suspense. For example, Donna Tartt opens The Secret History by telling us about a murder, but then takes us back to events before the murder, making us wait for the story to unfold to find out what events lead up to the killing. 

What Is An Example Of A Non-Linear Narrative In Fiction?  

There are many examples I could use as fabulous examples of non-linear writing in contemporary novels, but one such novel that sticks out for me is The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. In this novel, although the two magicians are battling a jealous rivalry, they move between different points in time to highlight the rivalry over the decades. A clever non-linear structure can move through weeks, months, years and sometimes even decades if done well.  

Key Elements Of Narrative Writing

Now that we understand the two main areas of narrative writing style, it is time to look into the elements of story writing that can be utilised to ensure you carry out this style of writing effectively.  

Irrespective of whether you are writing a linear or non-linear narrative structure, six key elements are used to create this style of writing. These same six elements remain the same, in both fiction and non-fiction writing.  

The six key narrative elements:   

• Character 
• Setting 
• Conflict 
• Theme 
• Narrative Arc 

Using these six elements accurately will help create both linear and non-linear narratives.  

It is important to know what each of these are and how they work together.  

Let’s take one of our previous examples and break them down. We’ll use the example of Donna Tartt’s A Secret History .

Characters are the people in the story that propel it forward using the plot.  One of the most important aspects of narrative fiction is character development.  

In A Secret History – Richard Papen is the narrator and protagonist (main character).   

In this novel, we see Richard as a young graduate student in California. Over the course of the novel, we follow his story and character development as he pursues his ambitions.  

Although we are using an example of fiction here, character development through narrative writing in non-fiction is just as important. If you want your reader to follow your story, you have to create a reason for them to be invested. A strong sense of character does just that.  

It doesn’t matter if it’s fiction or non-fiction, the main point of narrative writing is to create an interesting story, and you can’t create a story without character.  

By the end of your narrative writing piece, your character should have been on a journey, told in story form, with the development of this character being the driving force for the narrative.  

The plot is the thread of events that create the story you are telling.  

Let’s go back to The Secret History . It is, at its heart, an inverted detective story narrated by Richard Papen, one of the six students involved in the murder of their friend Edmund ‘Bunny’ Corcoran. 

Whether you are writing a space opera fiction novel, or a biography on King Henry IIIV, narrative writing is at its core a ‘story’. To have a functioning story, be it in a linear or non-linear form, your characters need to have a plot to follow.  

Make sure you ask yourself ‘why is this story important?’ and ‘why am I using these characters to tell this story?’  

Setting is crucial in any written work. If you are writing historical non-fiction, making sure you describe the settings is crucial in narrative writing. After all, if all your readers want is ‘facts’, they can get them in an academic text. They are reading narrative non-fiction to feel more of a connection to the story.  

Let’s go back to Donna Tartt and The Secret of History again. Set against the backdrop of a liberal arts college in New England in the 1980’s, the setting of this novel reveals just as much about the characters themselves as the plot of the novel.  

Conflict is the problem at the heart of your work that needs to be resolved.  

The conflict in The Secret History is clear, and centres around the death of ‘Bunny’.  

The conflict in your narrative writing will help clarify your themes.  

If you are hoping to create a sense of tension within your narrative writing, conflict is crucial. You can choose to create conflict between characters, or even use setting to show conflict between worlds, but making sure the conflict at the centre of your plot is strong will be what your narrative fiction lives or dies on. 

Theme  

Theme is arguably the most important of all narrative elements. You are telling a story, that much we know, but what is the moral of that story?  

What do you as a writer want the reader to be asking?  

In A Secret History , there are a few main themes working together. Tartt wants the reader to understand and examine the consequences of secrets, the superficiality of appearances, the dangers of isolation and reality versus illusion. Tartt uses character, plot and conflict to ensure these themes are strong on the page.  

Themes are essential in all styles of writing. It doesn’t matter if you are writing in a linear or non-linear fashion, your themes will be vital to telling the story. Remember, you are telling a story , ask yourself, what lessons do you hope to share?  

Narrative Arc

Narrative arc is how we describe the story structure.  

In almost all works of fiction, a narrative arc is a fundamental building block for what makes a good novel. To create a narrative arc, you need to consider who your character is, what it is they want in the story you are creating, what conflict they will encounter, how they will resolve that conflict and how those lessons will culminate in a satisfying ending. Essentially, you take all of the other elements of narrative writing to create an arc that leaves your reader satisfied.  

Types Of Narrative Writing

Although we have already discussed the difference between linear and non-linear narrative writing, there are three other main areas of narrative writing.  

• Historical narrative writing 
• Viewpoint narrative writing 
• Quest narrative writing 

Historical Narrative Writing

Historical narrative writing is how we describe the writing of historical events in a story-based format. 

Historical narrative writing is most commonly found in biographical and autobiographical historical writings, but can also be seen as fiction such as historical romance, and historical fiction novels. 

Historical narratives can often include ‘primary source material’ which will present first-hand accounts and knowledge, often in the form of diary entries, letters or personal memories in an autobiographical, biographical or memoir style. 

Historical writing is used to help tell a story about a past event, which can be told through the eyes of a fictional character, or through the eyes of an important historical figure.  

Historical narrative fiction is an interesting topic because despite many believing that historical events are factual, the way we view history can be clouded by our own perceptions, and opinions, and coloured by our own experiences.  

One aspect that most historical narratives have in common is the use of the structure to show a chain reaction of events that happen over a long and extended period of time. Many historical narrative writings will skip large chunks of time between events and refer to time periods often. 

Historical narrative fiction and historical non-fiction require a lot of research but can be some of the most interesting forms of writing. Only through the past can we learn about the future, so shaping these events on the page for readers can truly be rewarding.  

Viewpoint Narrative Writing

The main point of viewpoint narrative in writing, is to show and understand multiple view points of the same story. Each of the separate points of view will show each individual’s own opinions and can be written in a linear or non-linear fashion.  

This style of narrative is incredibly strong and is used often in fiction writing. With multiple POVs, we are able to experience the same issues and conflicts from multiple angles. 

Limiting the point of view in a scene to one character can make a reader feel closer to the action, but you can choose how much information you are giving your reader by limiting or expanding the points of view in your work.  

Similarly, if you are writing from one point of view only, you can create real empathy within your reader; a true and strong connection. But what if you want to create doubt within your reader, or include an unreliable character ? Multiple viewpoints will allow you to explore more emotions in a much wider way.  

Viewpoint narrative can be incredibly effective, withholding information, creating suspense and even creating desire within your reader can all be achieved just by playing with a viewpoint narrative. 

Quest Narrative Writing

Quest narrative writing is a structure that follows a protagonist as they work towards achieving a goal. In many cases, this narrative will showcase characters tackling multiple obstacles that are placed in their way as they continue towards the end of their journey.  

More often than not, a quest narrative will see characters travel geographical distances while battling issues that threaten to throw them off course.  

A very obvious example of a quest narrative would be that of Bilbo Baggins in the popular novel The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien. We read along as Bilbo travels, in a fairly linear fashion, with his companions to reclaim lost gold. The quest takes them across vast expanses of land and across territories, facing many conflicts and crises along the way before they are able to complete their journey.   

In order for a quest narrative to be successful, the protagonist must have a place to go, a reason to go there, challenges they will face along the way and a realisation at the end of the story as to what the real reason for their quest was.  

How To Craft A Strong Narrative

A strong narrative writing piece, no matter which style you chose, needs to capture the imagination and attention of your reader. After that, you need to consider that if your readers are searching out and reading narrative work, they are asking to be told a story. Don’t forget that. Always refer back to the good ole days, sat round a campfire telling stories with friends.

The stories you tell must be compelling and memorable and, most of all, they must be complete. You must have a beginning, a middle and an end– even if they don’t necessarily come in that order. A strong and well-written piece of narrative writing should profoundly impact your reader in some memorable way.  

Before you set to work on your narrative writing piece, consider these points. 

• First, decide what the story is that you are telling. If you can’t nail that in a few sentences (at the very most) you won’t be able to convey that story to your reader. 
• Decide which structure is going to work best for your work. Linear vs non-linear.  
• Walk through the six elements of narrative fiction and make sure you are clear on each point.  
• Identify the audience you hope to reach and make sure you are using the tone, mood and setting to create a piece of work that will grab the attention of your chosen audience. 
• Exposition (the reader’s introduction to your story) 
• Rising action (when the conflict will arise and show itself) 
• Climax 
• Falling action 
• Resolution 

Remember, to create a sense of satisfaction in your reader, a completed arc is important. Fiction, or non-fiction, narrative writing always has a story at its heart – so make sure you can resolve the story. 

Narrative Writing Tips

I was given some amazing narrative writing tips by a fabulous creative writing teacher when I was younger, and I have never forgotten them. They apply to all kinds of narrative writing, whether you’re writing a novel, short story, or narrative essay. Today, I pass them on to you! 

• Be mindful of your themes, always. Make sure they are clear in your mind throughout the entire writing process and reinforce them often. You can use setting, tone, language and imagery to do this, but always have your themes at the forefront of your mind .
• Set the tone of your work at the beginning , and use keywords along the way to reinforce this. For example, narrative writing can be humorous but make sure that humour is peppered throughout. If your narrative work is dark and mournful, make sure you create areas of shade to let your reader breathe and take in the moments of darkness. 
• Play with language. Always. As humans, we constantly look for different ways to explain the world around us. Imagine you are narrating the story yourself, don’t use the same words over and over again, and explore language in the same way we do in life. It will ensure your work feels more authentic.  
• Always keep your eye on the prize. You know the ending before you even start the novel. You are narrating a full story, so keep the ending in mind as you write and create milestones along the way so your reader feels they are enjoying the journey with you.  
• Write often, even if it’s only a little. And read even more than that.   
• Talk to yourself– I am serious!  Talk to yourself. Embody one of your characters and spend a day narrating your life through their eyes. Hearing how you narrate your own life will help you find a flow in which to narrate the story in your head.  
• Read your work out loud. Often. Narrative writing is meant to be narrated. So, narrate it. If it doesn’t feel or sound right to you, re-think things a little. Imagine what it would sound like if it was read back to you around a campfire.  

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main purpose of narrative writing.

At its heart, the main purpose of narrative writing is to tell a story. It really is that simple. A beginning, a middle and an end – but not necessarily always in that order.  

What Makes Good Narrative Writing?

Narrative writing is most successful when writers utilise the 6 key elements of writing to tell a story that will affect the reader and leave a lasting impression. The very best works of narrative writing are deeply descriptive, include visual imagery, strong characters with believable arcs, and a plot and theme that evoke an emotional response in the reader.  

What Are The Six Elements Of Narrative Fiction?

The six key narrative elements are:

If a writer uses all six key elements together in the correct manner, they can create both linear and non-linear narratives. 

What Is The Difference Between Linear And Non-Linear Narrative Writing?  

A linear narrative describes a structure of narrative writing that tells a story of events in the order in which they occur, in sequence. A non-linear narrative is the direct opposite of a linear narrative. This structure of narrative fiction presents a story with events unfolding out of order. 

What Are The Five Main Types Of Narrative Writing?  

Narrative writing can be broken down into five key main areas:

• Linear narrative writing 
• Non-linear narrative writing 

Writing Narratives

Narrative writing and narrative storytelling have been around for as long as time. It’s how we communicate as a species. It’s how we relate to the world outside and understand those living around us. To write narrative writing is to pass on the skills of our ancestors. That’s why teaching narrative writing and sharing its various techniques is so important.

If done properly, narrative writing will allow you to pass your own stories on to others, so they will live in history and be passed on. Narrative writing, in my opinion, is the purest form of storytelling we have at our disposal. Learning how to harness these skills will not only allow you to pass on your own stories, but those stories will, in turn, help the writers of future generations to follow in your footsteps.  

About the author

Emma-Claire Wilson is an author of book club fiction. Born in Scotland, she travelled the world as the child of military parents. Finally, she settled in Southern Spain with her husband, daughters, and rescue dog, Pip. Emma-Claire works as a journalist for English language magazines and newspapers in Spain and in 2015 launched The Glass House Online Magazine. When not writing emotional book club fiction, you can find her by the sea dreaming up new stories, or wrapped in a blanket with a book in her hand. See more on her author website or Twitter .

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6 Tips to Master Narrative Writing and Tell Effective Stories

Unlock the power of storytelling with a reliable guide to mastering narrative writing. Discover essential techniques and tips to create engaging stories that captivate your readers .

What is Narrative Writing?

Narrative writing is a type of creative writing that tells a story. Real or imaginary, it aims to engage readers by creating characters, setting, and plot, in a compelling sequence of events.

Narrative writing can transport readers to another time or place. Novels, short stories, memoirs, and biographies all fit this definition. These narratives allow readers to experience the joys and struggles of characters, explore new worlds and ideas, and gain a deeper understanding of the human experience. 

Why is it Important?

Narrative writing allows writers to share experiences, thoughts, and emotions in a way that resonates with others. Whether it’s a thrilling adventure or a heartfelt memoir, these stories have the power to inspire, educate, and entertain.

Here are some reasons why narrative writing is one of the most powerful tools in a writer’s arsenal:

Table of Contents

Storytelling: .

Narrative writing is the art of storytelling, and storytelling is an essential part of the human experience . It allows us to connect with others and offers a different perspective to help make sense of the world. 

Emotional connection: 

Narrative writing has the power to evoke emotions. Stories can make us laugh, shed a tear, and keep us on the edge of our seats. Creating characters audiences can identify with and situations that are relatable can help readers become invested in a story.

Self-expression: 

Narrative writing can be a powerful tool for self-expression. Telling a story allows writers to explore their thoughts and experiences, and express them in a creative way.

By sharing stories through narrative writing, writers can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world. In turn, these narratives can instill those same ideas in readers.

Imagination: 

Narrative writing encourages creativity and imagination. By creating fictional worlds and characters, writers can stretch their imaginations and explore new ideas and perspectives. Imagination can create unique and engaging plots that can captivate readers.

Education: 

Narrative writing can also be a powerful tool for education. Telling stories about historical events, cultural traditions, or scientific concepts can make complex information more accessible and engaging. Writers have the opportunity to create informative and immersive stories.

Techniques for Effective Narrative Writing

Writing a compelling narrative is no easy task. It requires a combination of skill, practice, and an understanding of effective techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, the following techniques can help take your stories to the next level.

Showing, not telling

One of the most important techniques for effective narrative writing is showing, not telling . This means instead of telling the reader what is happening, a writer should use descriptive language and vivid details to show the reader what is happening.

Instead of telling readers, “John was angry,” a writer can show John’s anger by describing his actions or body language. “John slammed the door and clenched his fists, his face turning red with anger” shows the reader that John is angry in a more visual way.

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Dialogue is another important technique in narrative writing. Writers can use it to reveal characters, advance the plot, and create tension and conflict. Make sure characters speak in a natural and understandable way. Stiff and awkward-sounding dialogue can disengage readers.

One tip for writing effective dialogue is to read your text aloud. This can help identify any awkward or unnatural phrasing, and ensure dialogue sounds like something a real person would say.

Description

Description is a key part of narrative writing. It helps create vivid worlds for readers to explore. However, it’s important to strike a balance. Too little description can leave readers feeling lost. Too much description can slow down a story and overwhelm the reader.

One way to create effective descriptions is to use sensory details. Describing what a character is seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and feeling, engages the reader’s senses and brings a fictional experience to life.

Point of View

Point of view refers to the perspective from which a story is told. There are several options for narrative writing, including first-person, third-person limited, and third-person omniscient.

The first-person point of view uses “I” or “we”. Third-person limited uses “he” or “she” to tell the story, but from the perspective of one character. Third-person omniscient also uses “he” or “she” to tell the story, but from an all-knowing perspective.

Choosing the right point of view for your story can have a significant impact on how it is perceived by readers. These perspectives can influence the level of emotional engagement and understanding that is experienced.

Adjective and Adverb Usage 

While descriptive language is important in narrative writing, overusing adjectives and adverbs can make it feel cluttered and tedious to read. Instead of relying on a string of adjectives and adverbs to describe something, use more precise language to create a clear image.

Instead of writing, “The sky was beautiful and blue,” a more precise description might be, “The sky was a deep shade of azure.”

Creating Tension

A common mistake in narrative writing is failing to create tension. Without conflict or action, a story can feel flat and unengaging, and leave the reader feeling bored.

One way to create tension is to introduce obstacles for a character to overcome. This could be a physical block, like a locked door, or a more emotional or psychological challenge, like a difficult decision or a betrayal by a trusted friend.

By introducing tension and conflict into a story, writers can create a sense of urgency and keep the reader engaged.

Reliable Thoughts: Narrative Writing

Mastering the art of narrative writing is essential for any writer looking to create engaging and memorable stories. By using effective writing techniques, writers can create narratives that are compelling and exciting, and transport readers to a different world.

Like any writing, narrative writing requires practice and dedication to truly master. By honing your craft, experimenting with different techniques, and learning from your mistakes, you can develop your writing skills and create stories that captivate your readers from start to finish. 

With these tips and techniques in mind, you are well on your way to mastering the art of narrative writing and becoming a skilled storyteller.

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A Step-by-Step Plan for Teaching Narrative Writing

July 29, 2018

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“Those who tell the stories rule the world.”  This proverb, attributed to the Hopi Indians, is one I wish I’d known a long time ago, because I would have used it when teaching my students the craft of storytelling. With a well-told story we can help a person see things in an entirely new way. We can forge new relationships and strengthen the ones we already have. We can change a law, inspire a movement, make people care fiercely about things they’d never given a passing thought.

But when we study storytelling with our students, we forget all that. Or at least I did. When my students asked why we read novels and stories, and why we wrote personal narratives and fiction, my defense was pretty lame: I probably said something about the importance of having a shared body of knowledge, or about the enjoyment of losing yourself in a book, or about the benefits of having writing skills in general.

I forgot to talk about the  power of story. I didn’t bother to tell them that the ability to tell a captivating story is one of the things that makes human beings extraordinary. It’s how we connect to each other. It’s something to celebrate, to study, to perfect. If we’re going to talk about how to teach students to write stories, we should start by thinking about why we tell stories at all . If we can pass that on to our students, then we will be going beyond a school assignment; we will be doing something transcendent.

Now. How do we get them to write those stories? I’m going to share the process I used for teaching narrative writing. I used this process with middle school students, but it would work with most age groups.

A Note About Form: Personal Narrative or Short Story?

When teaching narrative writing, many teachers separate personal narratives from short stories. In my own classroom, I tended to avoid having my students write short stories because personal narratives were more accessible. I could usually get students to write about something that really happened, while it was more challenging to get them to make something up from scratch.

In the “real” world of writers, though, the main thing that separates memoir from fiction is labeling: A writer might base a novel heavily on personal experiences, but write it all in third person and change the names of characters to protect the identities of people in real life. Another writer might create a short story in first person that reads like a personal narrative, but is entirely fictional. Just last weekend my husband and I watched the movie Lion and were glued to the screen the whole time, knowing it was based on a true story. James Frey’s book  A Million Little Pieces  sold millions of copies as a memoir but was later found to contain more than a little bit of fiction. Then there are unique books like Curtis Sittenfeld’s brilliant novel American Wife , based heavily on the early life of Laura Bush but written in first person, with fictional names and settings, and labeled as a work of fiction. The line between fact and fiction has always been really, really blurry, but the common thread running through all of it is good storytelling.

With that in mind, the process for teaching narrative writing can be exactly the same for writing personal narratives or short stories; it’s the same skill set. So if you think your students can handle the freedom, you might decide to let them choose personal narrative or fiction for a narrative writing assignment, or simply tell them that whether the story is true doesn’t matter, as long as they are telling a good story and they are not trying to pass off a fictional story as fact.

Here are some examples of what that kind of flexibility could allow:

• A student might tell a true story from their own experience, but write it as if it were a fiction piece, with fictional characters, in third person.
• A student might create a completely fictional story, but tell it in first person, which would give it the same feel as a personal narrative.
• A student might tell a true story that happened to someone else, but write it in first person, as if they were that person. For example, I could write about my grandmother’s experience of getting lost as a child, but I might write it in her voice.

If we aren’t too restrictive about what we call these pieces, and we talk about different possibilities with our students, we can end up with lots of interesting outcomes. Meanwhile, we’re still teaching students the craft of narrative writing.

A Note About Process: Write With Your Students

One of the most powerful techniques I used as a writing teacher was to do my students’ writing assignments with them. I would start my own draft at the same time as they did, composing “live” on the classroom projector, and doing a lot of thinking out loud so they could see all the decisions a writer has to make.

The most helpful parts for them to observe were the early drafting stage, where I just scratched out whatever came to me in messy, run-on sentences, and the revision stage, where I crossed things out, rearranged, and made tons of notes on my writing. I have seen over and over again how witnessing that process can really help to unlock a student’s understanding of how writing actually gets made.

A Narrative Writing Unit Plan

Before I get into these steps, I should note that there is no one right way to teach narrative writing, and plenty of accomplished teachers are doing it differently and getting great results. This just happens to be a process that has worked for me.

Step 1: Show Students That Stories Are Everywhere

Getting our students to tell stories should be easy. They hear and tell stories all the time. But when they actually have to put words on paper, they forget their storytelling abilities: They can’t think of a topic. They omit relevant details, but go on and on about irrelevant ones. Their dialogue is bland. They can’t figure out how to start. They can’t figure out how to end.

So the first step in getting good narrative writing from students is to help them see that they are already telling stories every day . They gather at lockers to talk about that thing that happened over the weekend. They sit at lunch and describe an argument they had with a sibling. Without even thinking about it, they begin sentences with “This one time…” and launch into stories about their earlier childhood experiences. Students are natural storytellers; learning how to do it well on paper is simply a matter of studying good models, then imitating what those writers do.

So start off the unit by getting students to tell their stories. In journal quick-writes, think-pair-shares, or by playing a game like Concentric Circles , prompt them to tell some of their own brief stories: A time they were embarrassed. A time they lost something. A time they didn’t get to do something they really wanted to do. By telling their own short anecdotes, they will grow more comfortable and confident in their storytelling abilities. They will also be generating a list of topic ideas. And by listening to the stories of their classmates, they will be adding onto that list and remembering more of their own stories.

And remember to tell some of your own. Besides being a good way to bond with students, sharing  your stories will help them see more possibilities for the ones they can tell.

Step 2: Study the Structure of a Story

Now that students have a good library of their own personal stories pulled into short-term memory, shift your focus to a more formal study of what a story looks like.

Use a diagram to show students a typical story arc like the one below. Then, using a simple story (try a video like The Present or Room ), fill out the story arc with the components from that story. Once students have seen this story mapped out, have them try it with another one, like a story you’ve read in class, a whole novel, or another short video.

Step 3: Introduce the Assignment

Up to this point, students have been immersed in storytelling. Now give them specific instructions for what they are going to do. Share your assignment rubric so they understand the criteria that will be used to evaluate them; it should be ready and transparent right from the beginning of the unit. As always, I recommend using a single point rubric for this.

Step 4: Read Models

Once the parameters of the assignment have been explained, have students read at least one model story, a mentor text that exemplifies the qualities you’re looking for. This should be a story on a topic your students can kind of relate to, something they could see themselves writing. For my narrative writing unit (see the end of this post), I wrote a story called “Frog” about a 13-year-old girl who finally gets to stay home alone, then finds a frog in her house and gets completely freaked out, which basically ruins the fun she was planning for the night.

They will be reading this model as writers, looking at how the author shaped the text for a purpose, so that they can use those same strategies in their own writing. Have them look at your rubric and find places in the model that illustrate the qualities listed in the rubric. Then have them complete a story arc for the model so they can see the underlying structure.

Ideally, your students will have already read lots of different stories to look to as models. If that isn’t the case, this list of narrative texts recommended by Cult of Pedagogy followers on Twitter would be a good place to browse for titles that might be right for your students. Keep in mind that we have not read most of these stories, so be sure to read them first before adopting them for classroom use.

Step 5: Story Mapping

At this point, students will need to decide what they are going to write about. If they are stuck for a topic, have them just pick something they can write about, even if it’s not the most captivating story in the world. A skilled writer could tell a great story about deciding what to have for lunch. If they are using the skills of narrative writing, the topic isn’t as important as the execution.

Have students complete a basic story arc for their chosen topic using a diagram like the one below. This will help them make sure that they actually have a story to tell, with an identifiable problem, a sequence of events that build to a climax, and some kind of resolution, where something is different by the end. Again, if you are writing with your students, this would be an important step to model for them with your own story-in-progress.

Step 6: Quick Drafts

Now, have students get their chosen story down on paper as quickly as possible: This could be basically a long paragraph that would read almost like a summary, but it would contain all the major parts of the story. Model this step with your own story, so they can see that you are not shooting for perfection in any way. What you want is a working draft, a starting point, something to build on for later, rather than a blank page (or screen) to stare at.

Step 7: Plan the Pacing

Now that the story has been born in raw form, students can begin to shape it. This would be a good time for a lesson on pacing, where students look at how writers expand some moments to create drama and shrink other moments so that the story doesn’t drag. Creating a diagram like the one below forces a writer to decide how much space to devote to all of the events in the story.

Step 8: Long Drafts

With a good plan in hand, students can now slow down and write a proper draft, expanding the sections of their story that they plan to really draw out and adding in more of the details that they left out in the quick draft.

Step 9: Workshop

Once students have a decent rough draft—something that has a basic beginning, middle, and end, with some discernible rising action, a climax of some kind, and a resolution, you’re ready to shift into full-on workshop mode. I would do this for at least a week: Start class with a short mini-lesson on some aspect of narrative writing craft, then give students the rest of the period to write, conference with you, and collaborate with their peers. During that time, they should focus some of their attention on applying the skill they learned in the mini-lesson to their drafts, so they will improve a little bit every day.

Topics for mini-lessons can include:

• How to weave exposition into your story so you don’t give readers an “information dump”
• How to carefully select dialogue to create good scenes, rather than quoting everything in a conversation
• How to punctuate and format dialogue so that it imitates the natural flow of a conversation
• How to describe things using sensory details and figurative language; also,  what  to describe…students too often give lots of irrelevant detail
• How to choose precise nouns and vivid verbs, use a variety of sentence lengths and structures, and add transitional words, phrases, and features to help the reader follow along
• How to start, end, and title a story

Step 10: Final Revisions and Edits

As the unit nears its end, students should be shifting away from revision , in which they alter the content of a piece, toward editing , where they make smaller changes to the mechanics of the writing. Make sure students understand the difference between the two: They should not be correcting each other’s spelling and punctuation in the early stages of this process, when the focus should be on shaping a better story.

One of the most effective strategies for revision and editing is to have students read their stories out loud. In the early stages, this will reveal places where information is missing or things get confusing. Later, more read-alouds will help them immediately find missing words, unintentional repetitions, and sentences that just “sound weird.” So get your students to read their work out loud frequently. It also helps to print stories on paper: For some reason, seeing the words in print helps us notice things we didn’t see on the screen.

To get the most from peer review, where students read and comment on each other’s work, more modeling from you is essential: Pull up a sample piece of writing and show students how to give specific feedback that helps, rather than simply writing “good detail” or “needs more detail,” the two comments I saw exchanged most often on students’ peer-reviewed papers.

Step 11: Final Copies and Publication

Once revision and peer review are done, students will hand in their final copies. If you don’t want to get stuck with 100-plus papers to grade, consider using Catlin Tucker’s station rotation model , which keeps all the grading in class. And when you do return stories with your own feedback, try using Kristy Louden’s delayed grade strategy , where students don’t see their final grade until they have read your written feedback.

Beyond the standard hand-in-for-a-grade, consider other ways to have students publish their stories. Here are some options:

• Stories could be published as individual pages on a collaborative website or blog.
• Students could create illustrated e-books out of their stories.
• Students could create a slideshow to accompany their stories and record them as digital storytelling videos. This could be done with a tool like Screencastify or Screencast-O-Matic .

So this is what worked for me. If you’ve struggled to get good stories from your students, try some or all of these techniques next time. I think you’ll find that all of your students have some pretty interesting stories to tell. Helping them tell their stories well is a gift that will serve them for many years after they leave your classroom. ♦

Want this unit ready-made?

If you’re a writing teacher in grades 7-12 and you’d like a classroom-ready unit like the one described above, including slideshow mini-lessons on 14 areas of narrative craft, a sample narrative piece, editable rubrics, and other supplemental materials to guide students through every stage of the process, take a look at my Narrative Writing unit . Just click on the image below and you’ll be taken to a page where you can read more and see a detailed preview of what’s included.

What to Read Next

Categories: Instruction , Podcast

Tags: English language arts , Grades 6-8 , Grades 9-12 , teaching strategies

52 Comments

Wow, this is a wonderful guide! If my English teachers had taught this way, I’m sure I would have enjoyed narrative writing instead of dreading it. I’ll be able to use many of these suggestions when writing my blog! BrP

Lst year I was so discouraged because the short stories looked like the quick drafts described in this article. I thought I had totally failed until I read this and realized I did not fai,l I just needed to complete the process. Thank you!

I feel like you jumped in my head and connected my thoughts. I appreciate the time you took to stop and look closely at form. I really believe that student-writers should see all dimensions of narrative writing and be able to live in whichever style and voice they want for their work.

Can’t thank you enough for this. So well curated that one can just follow it blindly and ace at teaching it. Thanks again!

Great post! I especially liked your comments about reminding kids about the power of storytelling. My favourite podcasts and posts from you are always about how to do things in the classroom and I appreciate the research you do.

On a side note, the ice breakers are really handy. My kids know each other really well (rural community), and can tune out pretty quickly if there is nothing new to learn about their peers, but they like the games (and can remember where we stopped last time weeks later). I’ve started changing them up with ‘life questions’, so the editable version is great!

I love writing with my students and loved this podcast! A fun extension to this narrative is to challenge students to write another story about the same event, but use the perspective of another “character” from the story. Books like Wonder (R.J. Palacio) and Wanderer (Sharon Creech) can model the concept for students.

Thank you for your great efforts to reveal the practical writing strategies in layered details. As English is not my first language, I need listen to your podcast and read the text repeatedly so to fully understand. It’s worthy of the time for some great post like yours. I love sharing so I send the link to my English practice group that it can benefit more. I hope I could be able to give you some feedback later on.

Thank you for helping me get to know better especially the techniques in writing narrative text. Im an English teacher for 5years but have little knowledge on writing. I hope you could feature techniques in writing news and fearute story. God bless and more power!

Thank you for this! I am very interested in teaching a unit on personal narrative and this was an extremely helpful breakdown. As a current student teacher I am still unsure how to approach breaking down the structures of different genres of writing in a way that is helpful for me students but not too restrictive. The story mapping tools you provided really allowed me to think about this in a new way. Writing is such a powerful way to experience the world and more than anything I want my students to realize its power. Stories are how we make sense of the world and as an English teacher I feel obligated to give my students access to this particular skill.

The power of story is unfathomable. There’s this NGO in India doing some great work in harnessing the power of storytelling and plots to brighten children’s lives and enlighten them with true knowledge. Check out Katha India here: http://bit.ly/KathaIndia

Thank you so much for this. I did not go to college to become a writing professor, but due to restructuring in my department, I indeed am! This is a wonderful guide that I will use when teaching the narrative essay. I wonder if you have a similar guide for other modes such as descriptive, process, argument, etc.?

Hey Melanie, Jenn does have another guide on writing! Check out A Step-by-Step Plan for Teaching Argumentative Writing .

Hi, I am also wondering if there is a similar guide for descriptive writing in particular?

Hey Melanie, unfortunately Jenn doesn’t currently have a guide for descriptive writing. She’s always working on projects though, so she may get around to writing a unit like this in the future. You can always check her Teachers Pay Teachers page for an up-to-date list of materials she has available. Thanks!

I want to write about the new character in my area

That’s great! Let us know if you need any supports during your writing process!

I absolutely adore this unit plan. I teach freshmen English at a low-income high school and wanted to find something to help my students find their voice. It is not often that I borrow material, but I borrowed and adapted all of it in the order that it is presented! It is cohesive, understandable, and fun. Thank you!!

So glad to hear this, Nicole!

Thanks sharing this post. My students often get confused between personal narratives and short stories. Whenever I ask them to write a short story, she share their own experiences and add a bit of fiction in it to make it interesting.

Thank you! My students have loved this so far. I do have a question as to where the “Frog” story mentioned in Step 4 is. I could really use it! Thanks again.

This is great to hear, Emily! In Step 4, Jenn mentions that she wrote the “Frog” story for her narrative writing unit . Just scroll down the bottom of the post and you’ll see a link to the unit.

I also cannot find the link to the short story “Frog”– any chance someone can send it or we can repost it?

This story was written for Jenn’s narrative writing unit. You can find a link to this unit in Step 4 or at the bottom of the article. Hope this helps.

I cannot find the frog story mentioned. Could you please send the link.? Thank you

Hi Michelle,

The Frog story was written for Jenn’s narrative writing unit. There’s a link to this unit in Step 4 and at the bottom of the article.

Debbie- thanks for you reply… but there is no link to the story in step 4 or at the bottom of the page….

Hey Shawn, the frog story is part of Jenn’s narrative writing unit, which is available on her Teachers Pay Teachers site. The link Debbie is referring to at the bottom of this post will take you to her narrative writing unit and you would have to purchase that to gain access to the frog story. I hope this clears things up.

Thank you so much for this resource! I’m a high school English teacher, and am currently teaching creative writing for the first time. I really do value your blog, podcast, and other resources, so I’m excited to use this unit. I’m a cyber school teacher, so clear, organized layout is important; and I spend a lot of time making sure my content is visually accessible for my students to process. Thanks for creating resources that are easy for us teachers to process and use.

Do you have a lesson for Informative writing?

Hey Cari, Jenn has another unit on argumentative writing , but doesn’t have one yet on informative writing. She may develop one in the future so check back in sometime.

I had the same question. Informational writing is so difficult to have a good strong unit in when you have so many different text structures to meet and need text-dependent writing tasks.

Creating an informational writing unit is still on Jenn’s long list of projects to get to, but in the meantime, if you haven’t already, check out When We All Teach Text Structures, Everyone Wins . It might help you out!

This is a great lesson! It would be helpful to see a finished draft of the frog narrative arc. Students’ greatest challenge is transferring their ideas from the planner to a full draft. To see a full sample of how this arc was transformed into a complete narrative draft would be a powerful learning tool.

Hi Stacey! Jenn goes into more depth with the “Frog” lesson in her narrative writing unit – this is where you can find a sample of what a completed story arc might look. Also included is a draft of the narrative. If interested in checking out the unit and seeing a preview, just scroll down to the bottom of the post and click on the image. Hope this helps!

Helped me learn for an entrance exam thanks very much

Is the narrative writing lesson you talk about in https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/narrative-writing/

Also doable for elementary students you think, and if to what levels?

Love your work, Sincerely, Zanyar

Hey Zanyar,

It’s possible the unit would work with 4th and 5th graders, but Jenn definitely wouldn’t recommend going any younger. The main reason for this is that some of the mini-lessons in the unit could be challenging for students who are still concrete thinkers. You’d likely need to do some adjusting and scaffolding which could extend the unit beyond the 3 weeks. Having said that, I taught 1st grade and found the steps of the writing process, as described in the post, to be very similar. Of course learning targets/standards were different, but the process itself can be applied to any grade level (modeling writing, using mentor texts to study how stories work, planning the structure of the story, drafting, elaborating, etc.) Hope this helps!

This has made my life so much easier. After teaching in different schools systems, from the American, to British to IB, one needs to identify the anchor standards and concepts, that are common between all these systems, to build well balanced thematic units. Just reading these steps gave me the guidance I needed to satisfy both the conceptual framework the schools ask for and the standards-based practice. Thank you Thank you.

Would this work for teaching a first grader about narrative writing? I am also looking for a great book to use as a model for narrative writing. Veggie Monster is being used by his teacher and he isn’t connecting with this book in the least bit, so it isn’t having a positive impact. My fear is he will associate this with writing and I don’t want a negative association connected to such a beautiful process and experience. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thank you for any information you can provide!

Although I think the materials in the actual narrative writing unit are really too advanced for a first grader, the general process that’s described in the blog post can still work really well.

I’m sorry your child isn’t connecting with The Night of the Veggie Monster. Try to keep in mind that the main reason this is used as a mentor text is because it models how a small moment story can be told in a big way. It’s filled with all kinds of wonderful text features that impact the meaning of the story – dialogue, description, bold text, speech bubbles, changes in text size, ellipses, zoomed in images, text placement, text shape, etc. All of these things will become mini-lessons throughout the unit. But there are lots of other wonderful mentor texts that your child might enjoy. My suggestion for an early writer, is to look for a small moment text, similar in structure, that zooms in on a problem that a first grader can relate to. In addition to the mentor texts that I found in this article , you might also want to check out Knuffle Bunny, Kitten’s First Full Moon, When Sophie Gets Angry Really Really Angry, and Whistle for Willie. Hope this helps!

I saw this on Pinterest the other day while searching for examples of narritives units/lessons. I clicked on it because I always click on C.o.P stuff 🙂 And I wasn’t disapointed. I was intrigued by the connection of narratives to humanity–even if a student doesn’t identify as a writer, he/she certainly is human, right? I really liked this. THIS clicked with me.

A few days after I read the P.o.C post, I ventured on to YouTube for more ideas to help guide me with my 8th graders’ narrative writing this coming spring. And there was a TEDx video titled, “The Power of Personal Narrative” by J. Christan Jensen. I immediately remembered the line from the article above that associated storytelling with “power” and how it sets humans apart and if introduced and taught as such, it can be “extraordinary.”

I watched the video and to the suprise of my expectations, it was FANTASTIC. Between Jennifer’s post and the TEDx video ignited within me some major motivation and excitement to begin this unit.

Thanks for sharing this with us! So glad that Jenn’s post paired with another text gave you some motivation and excitement. I’ll be sure to pass this on to Jenn!

Thank you very much for this really helpful post! I really love the idea of helping our students understand that storytelling is powerful and then go on to teach them how to harness that power. That is the essence of teaching literature or writing at any level. However, I’m a little worried about telling students that whether a piece of writing is fact or fiction does not matter. It in fact matters a lot precisely because storytelling is powerful. Narratives can shape people’s views and get their emotions involved which would, in turn, motivate them to act on a certain matter, whether for good or for bad. A fictional narrative that is passed as factual could cause a lot of damage in the real world. I believe we should. I can see how helping students focus on writing the story rather than the truth of it all could help refine the needed skills without distractions. Nevertheless, would it not be prudent to teach our students to not just harness the power of storytelling but refrain from misusing it by pushing false narratives as factual? It is true that in reality, memoirs pass as factual while novels do as fictional while the opposite may be true for both cases. I am not too worried about novels passing as fictional. On the other hand, fictional narratives masquerading as factual are disconcerting and part of a phenomenon that needs to be fought against, not enhanced or condoned in education. This is especially true because memoirs are often used by powerful people to write/re-write history. I would really like to hear your opinion on this. Thanks a lot for a great post and a lot of helpful resources!

Thank you so much for this. Jenn and I had a chance to chat and we can see where you’re coming from. Jenn never meant to suggest that a person should pass off a piece of fictional writing as a true story. Good stories can be true, completely fictional, or based on a true story that’s mixed with some fiction – that part doesn’t really matter. However, what does matter is how a student labels their story. We think that could have been stated more clearly in the post , so Jenn decided to add a bit about this at the end of the 3rd paragraph in the section “A Note About Form: Personal Narrative or Short Story?” Thanks again for bringing this to our attention!

You have no idea how much your page has helped me in so many ways. I am currently in my teaching credential program and there are times that I feel lost due to a lack of experience in the classroom. I’m so glad I came across your page! Thank you for sharing!

Thanks so much for letting us know-this means a whole lot!

No, we’re sorry. Jenn actually gets this question fairly often. It’s something she considered doing at one point, but because she has so many other projects she’s working on, she’s just not gotten to it.

I couldn’t find the story

Hi, Duraiya. The “Frog” story is part of Jenn’s narrative writing unit, which is available on her Teachers Pay Teachers site. The link at the bottom of this post will take you to her narrative writing unit, which you can purchase to gain access to the story. I hope this helps!

I am using this step-by-step plan to help me teach personal narrative story writing. I wanted to show the Coca-Cola story, but the link says the video is not available. Do you have a new link or can you tell me the name of the story so I can find it?

Thank you for putting this together.

Hi Corri, sorry about that. The Coca-Cola commercial disappeared, so Jenn just updated the post with links to two videos with good stories. Hope this helps!

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20 Prompts for Narrative Writing That Spark Creativity

Using prompts for narrative writing motivates kids and gets them excited to write. Read on to learn more about narrative writing, mentor texts, ideas, and assessments. Plus you will find 20 fun prompts for narrative and personal narrative writing. These will be sure to spark student’s creativity and imagination!

What’s Narrative Writing?

Narrative writing tells a story using a beginning, middle, and end.  It includes elements such as characters, setting, problem, and solution.  The author’s purpose is usually to entertain or teach a lesson.  Narrative writing can be fact or fiction but the process is the same.  When it’s a real story from the author’s life, it is considered a personal narrative.  

Examples for Narrative Writing

There are so many wonderful examples of narrative writing.  Some are even written as personal narratives.  Below you will find a list of mentor texts for elementary school.  It’s helpful to immerse students in the genre before and during a narrative writing unit.  These books model different strategies that kids can try in their writing.

Narrative Writing Mentor Texts:

• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
• Come on, Rain! by Karen Hesse
• Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
• Fireflies! by Julie Brinckloe
• Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
• Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
• Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
• Blackout by John Rocco

Narrative Writing Teaching

There are many features to include in narrative writing, but it depends on the grade level being taught.  For the lower grades, it’s important to start with the concept of beginning, middle, and end written in sequential order.  Then you can expand to the introduction, body, and conclusion using details.  Other important elements are character, setting, problem, and solution.  As the student’s abilities increase the number of sentences will grow and expand to paragraphs.

For the older grades, you can introduce plot structure.  It follows the beginning, middle, and end format but on a higher level.  This story arc includes exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.  Use the diagram below to see how these features overlap.

Plot Structure

Topics for Narrative Writing

The possibilities are endless when it comes to narrative writing ideas.  Kids can create a fiction piece or write about an experience in their life.  Check out some writing prompt ideas below for narrative and personal narrative writing. You might also like this blog post about opinion writing prompts: 20 Prompts for Opinion Writing That Motivate Kids

Writing Prompts for Narratives

• I was taking my friend’s picture in front of the volcano when all of a sudden . . .  
• What if you were given 3 wishes but couldn’t use them on yourself.  Tell a story about what you would wish for and why.
• Write a story called, “The Luckiest Day of My Life.”
• Imagine you went to the zoo and could take home any animal for the day.  Tell a story about your time together.
• Write a silly story that uses these words: airplane, grapes, elephant, and book.
• You have just been shrunk down to the size of an ant.  Write a story including the good and bad things about being so small.
• Think about your favorite character from a book.  Tell a story about getting to meet them for the first time.
• What would happen if you lived during a time when there was no electricity?  Write a story about your school day.
• Finish this story: The pirates set sail on their ship in search of . . .
• Suppose you were teacher for a day.  Write a story about the changes you would make.

Writing Prompts for Personal Narratives

• Have you ever been so proud of yourself for learning something new?  Write a story about a time this happened.
• Write a story about a time you felt your heart race.  What happened and how were you feeling at the end?
• What was your most memorable vacation?  Tell a story from part of that trip and why it stands out in your mind.
• Have you ever done something you knew would get you in big trouble?  Write a story about a time this happened and how you felt about it.
• Write a story about the strangest thing that has ever happened to you.  Why was it so unusual?
• What was your most memorable moment from this year?  Write a story telling why it’s so special.
• Tell a story about a time when you were so excited and couldn’t wait for an event to happen.
• Write a small moment story about a time you had with your favorite person.
• Write about a time that you lost something important.  Tell whether or not you found it.
• Think about the worst day you ever had.  What made it so terrible and did it get better by the end?

Rubrics for Narrative Writing

I often hear from teachers that one of the most difficult parts of teaching writing is how to assess it.  Assessments should be accurate and helpful for both the student and teacher.  When it comes to narrative writing, there are many different approaches.  Some teachers prefer to do a more informal assessment for daily writing pieces and then a formal assessment for the final copy.  Informal assessments can be completed with written comments or student-teacher conferences.

It would be very difficult to use a rubric for every narrative writing a student completes in their notebook.  Instead, most teachers prefer to choose one to three writing pieces to assess with a rubric.  These assessments are ideal for benchmarks, progress reports, and report cards.  Below you will find three types of narrative writing rubrics.  Check out this blog post to learn more about student-friendly, teacher-friendly, and time-saving rubrics: 3 Types of Writing Rubrics for Effective Assessments

Narrative writing enables kids to be creative and use their imagination. They can write a fiction story or about a real event from their life. Writing prompts are a helpful tool to get kids engaged and ready to get started. Did you grab your Free Writing Prompt Guide yet? I love using prompts for morning work, writing time, centers, or as a homework assignment. The possibilities are endless! Be sure to try these prompts for narrative writing with your students!

Genre Based Prompts

Related Articles:

• 20 Prompts for Opinion Writing That Motivate Kids
• What is Narrative Writing
• A Complete Guide to Narrative Writing
• Personal Narrative Writing for Elementary School
• Narrative Writing: How to Teach a Story Arc That’s as Exciting as a Roller Coaster

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Understanding Narrative Writing (Examples, Prompts, and More)

Narrative writing is a writing style that helps to tell stories with more emphasis. It contrasts with descriptive and persuasive writing styles. Learn everything you need to know about narrative writing in this comprehensive guide.

What is narrative writing?

We have all read stories- both fictional and non-fictional. Narrative writing is exactly that- it is storytelling. While most narrative-style writing has a main character or protagonist, sometimes narratives can be about humanizing inanimate objects or abstract feelings.

Whatever happens to the said character or protagonist is called the story or the plot. Like most stories, narrative writing has conflict, resolution, and observation, and is in short- a story you would want to read.

Narrative writing is just one of the writing styles among others, namely expository, descriptive and persuasive writing . While all of the listed styles are very distinct, it is easy to confuse them for another. Hence, it is important to know the difference between each.

Descriptive Writing

A descriptive style of writing focuses on rich imagery and sensory description of smells, sights, and sounds. It is usually used in screenplays, essays, and poems. It serves the purpose of immersion- where the reader can actively imagine themselves being transported to the place or situation that the author describes.

• Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing is much like a political or philosophical text where one side attempts to establish its stance. Being persuasive in your writing style is a needed skill for reviewers and political columnists. Especially since they give essential takes on situations and decisions where the reader is persuaded by the text to agree or disagree with a certain argument. This style of writing is also applied in speeches, slogans, editorials, and opinion pieces.

How is narrative writing different from the expository style of writing?

To know that we must first know what the expository style of writing is. Expository writing is more about facts than fiction. Think textbooks, neutral news articles, etc. Anything that states facts without sensationalizing them is an exposition. This is in direct contrast with narrative writing which is more about storytelling than about facts.

What is a personal narrative?

As the name suggests, a personal narrative is about a person. Usually, this person is you. A personal narrative helps see things from your personal perspective. Personal narratives are used where intimacy is required.

Because they offer a window into the writers’ beliefs, methods, and emotions, memoirs, autobiographies, and deeply personal story pieces captivate us as readers. However, publishing your whole life story is not necessary to produce a personal narrative.

A cover letter or an admissions essay may be written by a student, or you may be attempting to describe your relevant qualifications. Your story will center on personal development, thoughts, and experiences irrespective of your goal.

Because of its digestible style and the fact that humans are empathic beings, personal tales enable us to relate to the experiences of others.

Types of narrative writing

1. viewpoint narrative.

Viewpoint narrative tells the story from the eyes of the protagonist. This lends a unique lens to the story as the reader journeys through the paragraphs to see it unfold in real-time as the protagonist goes through the events.

For instance, Moby Dick by Herman Melville utilized viewpoint narrative to make Ishmael’s motives in the story hit home for the reader.

2. Descriptive Narrative

This is usually written in the third person as the descriptive narrative style entails a descriptive account of a situation, person, or place. But, many descriptive style narratives are written in the first person too. Usually, it uses vivid imagery and sensory words that help the reader immerse in the story.

3. Linear and Non-Linear Narrative

If the progression of the events in the plot happens one after the other, then it is a linear narrative style of writing. For example, in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, everything happens in a linear chronological order. Whereas in a book like The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, there are multiple competing timelines that occur simultaneously. Such a style of narrative writing is non-linear.

Components/Devices needed to craft a narrative

1. Descriptive communication : Instead of explaining facts straight, this form of language elicits sentiments. Imagery, personification, similes, and metaphors are examples of descriptive linguistic devices.

2. Characters: A narrative may have a small cast of characters or a large one. The narrator is sometimes the lone character to appear in certain narratives. The tale is being recounted from the perspective of the narrator, who may or may not engage with the other characters.

• Protagonist: Almost every story requires a protagonist among the characters. The figure whose tale is being recounted as they strive to accomplish a goal or overcome a struggle is the protagonist. He/She is sometimes referred to as the central character as well.
• Antagonist: The adversary is a figure that appears in almost every story. The villain is just the person or thing that the protagonist must face in order to triumph over hurdles; they are not always the “bad guy.” The adversary can be a person, a natural force, the protagonist’s community, or even a characteristic of the protagonist’s nature in many stories.

3. Plot: The sequence of events that take place in your tale makes up the plot. A storyline might be straightforward with just one or two key events, or it can be intricate and have several layers.

4. Structure: Each narrative, even those that are nonlinear, is ordered in some fashion. This is how the central protagonist chases their objective or responds to a problem. No matter how you arrange your story, there are three main sections:

• Beginning: The moment the reader encounters your words is the start of your narrative. This is important to grab the reader’s attention so that they continue to read through the rest of what you have to say.
• Middle: The middle is the body, where the conflict occurs, and the story sets up the obstacle that needs to be overcome by our protagonist in order to attain something of importance.
• End: The ending is the resolution where the result of our protagonist’s efforts is declared. It could either end positively, negatively or vaguely- where the ultimate fate of the characters is left up to the reader’s imagination.

5. Theme: Each narrative has a theme whether you intend it to be or not. For instance, Harry Potter is about magic, Little Women is about female adolescence, and To Kill a Mockingbird is about racism and childhood trauma.

What do you need to write a narrative?

Narrative writers have most if not all of the following skills:

Organization:

Narratives require a structure, even if it is non-linear and complex, with multiple parallel timelines. For example, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a chronological narrative where the older protagonist narrates a story that happened during her childhood.

Having interesting beginnings:

The start captures the readers and encourages them to keep reading. Hence, it is important to craft interesting beginnings for stories.

For example, George Orwell’s iconic sci-fi novel 1984 opens with the sentence , ‘It was a bright cold day in April and the clocks were striking thirteen.’

It’s an incredible opening to set the mood for a book that is about surveillance and the dystopian future of commodifying privacy.

Description:

Description is like salt- it is necessary, but if overdone, can ruin the story. If what you are describing is not of the essence to the plot, it can get very boring for readers to go through paragraphs of descriptions of meadows(a la Tolkien).

For instance, A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess does a wonderful job of letting the description and detail be an effective plot device. It isn’t overdone nor is it left fully to the readers. It is immersive enough for the reader to be engrossed but relevant enough for the reader to want to keep reading.

Suspense is a great technique to make the reader turn pages. It is a tried and true way to win a reader’s interest. There is simply no way to talk about suspense without mentioning Agatha Cristie. Her 1939 novel And Then There Were None displays the mastery of Cristie. She keeps the reader engaged till the very end to find out who is the killer on the island where a band of vacationers mysteriously die off.

Stretch the main event:

Pacing is incredibly important in storytelling. If you spend 3 chapters setting up a conflict that gets solved in one page, it is not as gratifying of an ending. Hence, it is important that the main event is identified and written about in a way that uses action, description, and ample establishment prior to its reveal.

For example, let’s look at The Hound of Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle:

The wagonette swung round into a side road, and we curved upward through deep lanes worn by centuries of wheels, high banks on either side, heavy with dripping moss and fleshy hart’s-tongue ferns. Bronzing bracken and mottled bramble gleamed in the light of the sinking sun. Still steadily rising, we passed over a narrow granite bridge and skirted a noisy stream that gushed swiftly down, foaming and roaring amid the gray boulders. Both road and stream wound up through a valley dense with scrub oak and fir.

At every turn Baskerville gave an exclamation of delight, looking eagerly about him and asking countless questions. To his eyes, all seemed beautiful, but to me , a tinge of melancholy lay upon the countryside, which bore so clearly the mark of the waning year. Yellow leaves carpeted the lanes and fluttered down upon us as we passed. The rattle of our wheels died away as we drove through drifts of rotting vegetation. Sad gifts, as it seemed to me, for Nature to throw before the carriage of the returning heir of the Baskervilles.

The majority of the chapter’s first half was made up of rather fast-paced conversation. But the action slows down when the protagonists approach the moor. Doyle uses a couple of techniques to maintain this slower tempo. The wording grows increasingly detailed as the phrases lengthen and become more complicated. This is a great example of good pacing while describing the main events.

Good endings:

Good endings don’t mean that the end needs to be a happy one. It just means that it has to make sense and leave the reader with a feeling of something intense. It can be happiness, sadness, anger, or even hopefulness. What the reader shouldn’t feel are boredom and predictability. In many cases of good stories, even if the ending is predictable, it is done in a way that makes sense and leaves the reader wanting more.

Narrative writing prompts to use:

• Finish this story: The pirates set sail on their ship in search of . . .
• Write about a time you wished you were somewhere/someone else
• Write a story that ends with: ‘Our paths were different, but our destination was the same.’
• Write a story using the following words: elephant, diaper, rose, house

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Fact checked: Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Learn more.

About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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Telling the Story of Yourself: 6 Steps to Writing Personal Narratives

Jennifer Xue

Table of Contents

Why do we write personal narratives, 6 guidelines for writing personal narrative essays, inspiring personal narratives, examples of personal narrative essays, tell your story.

First off, you might be wondering: what is a personal narrative? In short, personal narratives are stories we tell about ourselves that focus on our growth, lessons learned, and reflections on our experiences.

From stories about inspirational figures we heard as children to any essay, article, or exercise where we're asked to express opinions on a situation, thing, or individual—personal narratives are everywhere.

According to Psychology Today, personal narratives allow authors to feel and release pains, while savouring moments of strength and resilience. Such emotions provide an avenue for both authors and readers to connect while supporting healing in the process.

That all sounds great. But when it comes to putting the words down on paper, we often end up with a list of experiences and no real structure to tie them together.

In this article, we'll discuss what a personal narrative essay is further, learn the 6 steps to writing one, and look at some examples of great personal narratives.

As readers, we're fascinated by memoirs, autobiographies, and long-form personal narrative articles, as they provide a glimpse into the authors' thought processes, ideas, and feelings. But you don't have to be writing your whole life story to create a personal narrative.

You might be a student writing an admissions essay , or be trying to tell your professional story in a cover letter. Regardless of your purpose, your narrative will focus on personal growth, reflections, and lessons.

Personal narratives help us connect with other people's stories due to their easy-to-digest format and because humans are empathising creatures.

We can better understand how others feel and think when we were told stories that allow us to see the world from their perspectives. The author's "I think" and "I feel" instantaneously become ours, as the brain doesn't know whether what we read is real or imaginary.

In her best-selling book Wired for Story, Lisa Cron explains that the human brain craves tales as it's hard-wired through evolution to learn what happens next. Since the brain doesn't know whether what you are reading is actual or not, we can register the moral of the story cognitively and affectively.

In academia, a narrative essay tells a story which is experiential, anecdotal, or personal. It allows the author to creatively express their thoughts, feelings, ideas, and opinions. Its length can be anywhere from a few paragraphs to hundreds of pages.

Outside of academia, personal narratives are known as a form of journalism or non-fiction works called "narrative journalism." Even highly prestigious publications like the New York Times and Time magazine have sections dedicated to personal narratives. The New Yorke is a magazine dedicated solely to this genre.

The New York Times holds personal narrative essay contests. The winners are selected because they:

had a clear narrative arc with a conflict and a main character who changed in some way. They artfully balanced the action of the story with reflection on what it meant to the writer. They took risks, like including dialogue or playing with punctuation, sentence structure and word choice to develop a strong voice. And, perhaps most important, they focused on a specific moment or theme – a conversation, a trip to the mall, a speech tournament, a hospital visit – instead of trying to sum up the writer’s life in 600 words.

In a nutshell, a personal narrative can cover any reflective and contemplative subject with a strong voice and a unique perspective, including uncommon private values. It's written in first person and the story encompasses a specific moment in time worthy of a discussion.

Writing a personal narrative essay involves both objectivity and subjectivity. You'll need to be objective enough to recognise the importance of an event or a situation to explore and write about. On the other hand, you must be subjective enough to inject private thoughts and feelings to make your point.

With personal narratives, you are both the muse and the creator – you have control over how your story is told. However, like any other type of writing, it comes with guidelines.

1. Write Your Personal Narrative as a Story

As a story, it must include an introduction, characters, plot, setting, climax, anti-climax (if any), and conclusion. Another way to approach it is by structuring it with an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should set the tone, while the body should focus on the key point(s) you want to get across. The conclusion can tell the reader what lessons you have learned from the story you've just told.

2. Give Your Personal Narrative a Clear Purpose

Your narrative essay should reflect your unique perspective on life. This is a lot harder than it sounds. You need to establish your perspective, the key things you want your reader to take away, and your tone of voice. It's a good idea to have a set purpose in mind for the narrative before you start writing.

Let's say you want to write about how you manage depression without taking any medicine. This could go in any number of ways, but isolating a purpose will help you focus your writing and choose which stories to tell. Are you advocating for a holistic approach, or do you want to describe your emotional experience for people thinking of trying it?

Having this focus will allow you to put your own unique take on what you did (and didn't do, if applicable), what changed you, and the lessons learned along the way.

3. Show, Don't Tell

It's a narration, so the narrative should show readers what happened, instead of telling them. As well as being a storyteller, the author should take part as one of the characters. Keep this in mind when writing, as the way you shape your perspective can have a big impact on how your reader sees your overarching plot. Don't slip into just explaining everything that happened because it happened to you. Show your reader with action.

You can check for instances of telling rather than showing with ProWritingAid. For example, instead of:

"You never let me do anything!" I cried disdainfully.

"You never let me do anything!" To this day, my mother swears that the glare I levelled at her as I spat those words out could have soured milk.

Using ProWritingAid will help you find these instances in your manuscript and edit them without spending hours trawling through your work yourself.

4. Use "I," But Don't Overuse It

You, the author, take ownership of the story, so the first person pronoun "I" is used throughout. However, you shouldn't overuse it, as it'd make it sound too self-centred and redundant.

ProWritingAid can also help you here – the Style Report will tell you if you've started too many sentences with "I", and show you how to introduce more variation in your writing.

5. Pay Attention to Tenses

Tense is key to understanding. Personal narratives mostly tell the story of events that happened in the past, so many authors choose to use the past tense. This helps separate out your current, narrating voice and your past self who you are narrating. If you're writing in the present tense, make sure that you keep it consistent throughout.

6. Make Your Conclusion Satisfying

Satisfy your readers by giving them an unforgettable closing scene. The body of the narration should build up the plot to climax. This doesn't have to be something incredible or shocking, just something that helps give an interesting take on your story.

The takeaways or the lessons learned should be written without lecturing. Whenever possible, continue to show rather than tell. Don't say what you learned, narrate what you do differently now. This will help the moral of your story shine through without being too preachy.

GoodReads is a great starting point for selecting read-worthy personal narrative books. Here are five of my favourites.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

Jane Yolen, the author of 386 books, wrote this poetic story about a daughter and her father who went owling. Instead of learning about owls, Yolen invites readers to contemplate the meaning of gentleness and hope.

Night by Elie Wiesel

Elie Wiesel was a teenager when he and his family were sent to Auschwitz concentration camp in 1944. This Holocaust memoir has a strong message that such horrific events should never be repeated.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

This classic is a must-read by young and old alike. It's a remarkable diary by a 13-year-old Jewish girl who hid inside a secret annexe of an old building during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in 1942.

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

This is a personal narrative written by a brave author renowned for her clarity, passion, and honesty. Didion shares how in December 2003, she lost her husband of 40 years to a massive heart attack and dealt with the acute illness of her only daughter. She speaks about grief, memories, illness, and hope.

Educated by Tara Westover

Author Tara Westover was raised by survivalist parents. She didn't go to school until 17 years of age, which later took her to Harvard and Cambridge. It's a story about the struggle for quest for knowledge and self-reinvention.

Narrative and personal narrative journalism are gaining more popularity these days. You can find distinguished personal narratives all over the web.

Curating the best of the best of personal narratives and narrative essays from all over the web. Some are award-winning articles.

Narratively

Long-form writing to celebrate humanity through storytelling. It publishes personal narrative essays written to provoke, inspire, and reflect, touching lesser-known and overlooked subjects.

Narrative Magazine

It publishes non,fiction narratives, poetry, and fiction. Among its contributors is Frank Conroy, the author of Stop-Time , a memoir that has never been out of print since 1967.

Thought Catalog

Aimed at Generation Z, it publishes personal narrative essays on self-improvement, family, friendship, romance, and others.

Personal narratives will continue to be popular as our brains are wired for stories. We love reading about others and telling stories of ourselves, as they bring satisfaction and a better understanding of the world around us.

Personal narratives make us better humans. Enjoy telling yours!

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Love writing? ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of your stories.

Jennifer Xue is an award-winning e-book author with 2,500+ articles and 100+ e-books/reports published under her belt. She also taught 50+ college-level essay and paper writing classes. Her byline has appeared in Forbes, Fortune, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Business.com, Business2Community, Addicted2Success, Good Men Project, and others. Her blog is JenniferXue.com. Follow her on Twitter @jenxuewrites].

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What Is Narrative Writing? A Guide to Writing Creative Stories

• March 21, 2022

A story is not only about the content it contains, but also how it is told. Narrative writing is a field of creative writing that explores the human experience through the use of stories. It’s rooted in ancient oral storytelling traditions and has evolved to include new forms of expression. Let’s find out what is narrative writing and its contribution to the story.

Narrative Vs. Story

The terms  narrative  and  story  are often used interchangeably during informal conversations. However, when scrutinized literarily, these two terms are different. A story contains a series of events that illustrates what happens to its characters. In contrast, a narrative is how a particular story presents itself, how it unfolds, and how the events are made to flow together.

In addition, a story conveys what has happened, while a narrative relays what has happened and deals with its implication on a deeper level. Advocates of different movements often use a narrative to emphasize a theme or a message that they consider pivotal to societal development.

Narrative writing is one of the four main types of writing. Narrative writing stands apart from the other styles of writing because it tells a story. There are, however, four main types of narrative writing.

The Four Types of Narrative Writing

When teaching narrative writing, professors and teachers not only define the subtypes of this writing style but point out the distinct examples in literature, as well as explain the writing process that is a part of writing each of these types of narrative writing: quest narrative, linear narrative, non-linear narrative, and viewpoint narrative.

Quest Narrative

In a quest narrative, the protagonist, or main character, is on a quest or journey. He or she has a goal in mind, and the obsession is extreme with this goal that the entire story revolves around the main character and the journey they take to reach their goal.

There are loads of examples for quest narrative story writing. In fact, most “epic” novels involve a quest of some kind. Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit, as well as Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings, both embark on very long quests. 

Roland Deschain, the protagonist of the seven-book series The Dark Tower, is on a quest to get to the Tower. Captain Ahab is on a quest across the ocean to finally successfully hunt the great white whale.

Fiction is full of novels full of the suspense involved in quest narrative stories. The main character will gladly use every single one of his or her resources to reach his or her goal, and the novel, when written well, usually gives us as a reader, feelings of hope that the protagonist will reach his or her goal by the end of the book.

Setting Is Important

It probably comes as no surprise that a quest would rely fairly heavily on not just character but also setting. To go on a quest, one must leave the comfort of home and go after something that you are passionate about.

In the same fashion, we see both Bilbo and Frodo leave The Shire to complete important missions. We see Roland literally transverse entire worlds, deserts, forests, and paths to get to a Tower he knows almost nothing about. We see Captain Ahab risk everything on angry seas he can’t control to get an albino whale he’s got a grudge against.

The setting that the writer puts the character in on a quest story is very important. We can’t simply set a character loose in his attic and get him to the basement. That would hardly be a quest, and what reader would care?

Linear Narrative

Linear narrative writing has to do with the way in which the story is told and the order in which it is told. Linear narrative writing tells the story from beginning to end, in chronological order. You see the character’s life unfold in the order in which it happens. There are no flashbacks, jumps ahead, or gaps in time to account for.

The story can be told in first person, second person, or third-person point of view. In this sort of narrative story, the thing that matters most is that the reader watches the events unfold in the story simultaneously as the characters. We aren’t privy to any extra foreshadowing as to what is going to happen. A story is just told, from start to finish, in real-time, just like real life.

There are many examples in which narrative writing of this type is used, and it can be done in every genre of fiction storytelling . Poetry, short stories, and novels can all be written as a linear narrative.

Non-Linear Narrative

The non-linear narrative is the opposite of the linear narrative. In this type of writing, events are told out of order to build suspense and interest. We may, as readers, know the climax of the story at the very beginning and be left to wonder how the characters got there or how the plot moved to get to the climax.

Telling a story out of order means raising different points throughout the plot that bait the reader into a continued reading of the story so that they can find out not the “what” but the “how.” Word choice is one way that authors go about it.

Think about times you’ve read a novel or short story, and just as you’re starting to connect to a character, you read that suspenseful sentence, “And that was the last time anyone ever saw her alive.” Great…the reader thinks…now I know that this character isn’t going to live. But that sparks the imagination of the reader further. The spoiler of the upcoming death catches the reader’s attention and makes them want to keep reading.

In this type of writing, you may read the falling action first, or the main event, or even the ending. It is our job as the reader to decipher from that point how the characters get there. This sort of narrative makes us come up with ideas in an attempt to stay ahead of the author so that we can guess at how things happened to the characters after their fate has been leaked or spoiled to us early.

The reader has been told the outcome, but not necessarily the main event. We don’t know how the character dies or what occurs that leads up to the death. As readers, we have been baited, and now we focus on not just the plot but on picking up clues as we read to try to figure things out before the author tells us.

Viewpoint Narrative

In viewpoint narrative writing, the author’s purpose is to put you in the mind of the narrator. A first-person narration, this narrative piece exposes us to the psychological and emotional mindset of an unreliable narrator. It isn’t the author we’re supposed to believe is telling stories in this sort of narrative. It’s the character .

The character telling the story is almost always unhinged in some way, and we know it. Either their emotional state is off-kilter, or their physical state is. Sometimes, both are out of whack. 

Dolores Claiborne is the first person telling of a woman sitting in an interrogation room telling the story of how she went about killing her husband during an eclipse. We are given her feelings as she feels them, her thoughts as she thinks them, and her motivations, no matter how skewed we know they are.

When teaching narrative writing of this type, a good example is the Tell-Tale Heart by Poe. In this story, we are led from beginning to end by the narrator, hearing his private thoughts and feelings as he quickly descends into madness and then gets the idea that he is being mocked and tortured by the sound of a heart.

Most students are given this story when teaching viewpoint narrative. The way Poe was able to create a tension fraught and maddening telling of the events by moving the story forward as the narrator sees it was not only a fun way for the reader to experience the story, but the personal narrative leaves the reader feeling as though they experienced the madness themselves.

How Descriptive Writing Contributes

Descriptive narrative aids in the writing and very definition when answering the question: What is narrative writing? Without description of things like characters, settings, conflict, and plot, the reader tends to care less and connect less to the story. Description is deeply intertwined within most forms of writing, and every good story has good description, whether the type is narrative or not.

When writing a descriptive essay, there can still be a story told, and often, there should be. We are just going about writing that narrative with a lot of description. When writing personal essays, the more description we add, the more the reader cares about what we write because we have described it well enough for them to see it in their minds. If a writer can make something like a setting or characters real enough, the stories are more successful, regardless of the point of view, the story is told in.

Literacy Narrative Definition

A literacy narrative is a story about a specific set of personal experiences and triumphs where you become literate in something, especially in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It helps you appreciate the steps you undertake toward literacy, reflect on how you struggled, persisted, and triumphed, and share to others how your experiences shape you.

Furthermore, it can also be about other things you acquired knowledge of, such as how you become literate in using a computer, or cooking and eating a specific dish. Whichever topic you prefer, as long as the process and your growth within a particular area are emphasized, it is categorized as a literacy narrative. Indeed, a literacy narrative encourages you to contemplate your starting point and challenges in obtaining literacy to acknowledging your current skillful self.

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What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)

Creative writing begins with a blank page and the courage to fill it with the stories only you can tell.

I face this intimidating blank page daily–and I have for the better part of 20+ years.

In this guide, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of creative writing with tons of examples.

What Is Creative Writing (Long Description)?

Creative Writing is the art of using words to express ideas and emotions in imaginative ways. It encompasses various forms including novels, poetry, and plays, focusing on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes.

Table of Contents

Let’s expand on that definition a bit.

Creative writing is an art form that transcends traditional literature boundaries.

It includes professional, journalistic, academic, and technical writing. This type of writing emphasizes narrative craft, character development, and literary tropes. It also explores poetry and poetics traditions.

In essence, creative writing lets you express ideas and emotions uniquely and imaginatively.

It’s about the freedom to invent worlds, characters, and stories. These creations evoke a spectrum of emotions in readers.

Creative writing covers fiction, poetry, and everything in between.

It allows writers to express inner thoughts and feelings. Often, it reflects human experiences through a fabricated lens.

Types of Creative Writing

There are many types of creative writing that we need to explain.

Some of the most common types:

• Short stories
• Screenplays
• Flash fiction
• Creative Nonfiction

Short Stories (The Brief Escape)

Short stories are like narrative treasures.

They are compact but impactful, telling a full story within a limited word count. These tales often focus on a single character or a crucial moment.

Short stories are known for their brevity.

They deliver emotion and insight in a concise yet powerful package. This format is ideal for exploring diverse genres, themes, and characters. It leaves a lasting impression on readers.

Example: Emma discovers an old photo of her smiling grandmother. It’s a rarity. Through flashbacks, Emma learns about her grandmother’s wartime love story. She comes to understand her grandmother’s resilience and the value of joy.

Novels (The Long Journey)

Novels are extensive explorations of character, plot, and setting.

They span thousands of words, giving writers the space to create entire worlds. Novels can weave complex stories across various themes and timelines.

The length of a novel allows for deep narrative and character development.

Readers get an immersive experience.

Example: Across the Divide tells of two siblings separated in childhood. They grow up in different cultures. Their reunion highlights the strength of family bonds, despite distance and differences.

Poetry (The Soul’s Language)

Poetry expresses ideas and emotions through rhythm, sound, and word beauty.

It distills emotions and thoughts into verses. Poetry often uses metaphors, similes, and figurative language to reach the reader’s heart and mind.

Poetry ranges from structured forms, like sonnets, to free verse.

The latter breaks away from traditional formats for more expressive thought.

Example: Whispers of Dawn is a poem collection capturing morning’s quiet moments. “First Light” personifies dawn as a painter. It brings colors of hope and renewal to the world.

Plays (The Dramatic Dialogue)

Plays are meant for performance. They bring characters and conflicts to life through dialogue and action.

This format uniquely explores human relationships and societal issues.

Playwrights face the challenge of conveying setting, emotion, and plot through dialogue and directions.

Example: Echoes of Tomorrow is set in a dystopian future. Memories can be bought and sold. It follows siblings on a quest to retrieve their stolen memories. They learn the cost of living in a world where the past has a price.

Screenplays (Cinema’s Blueprint)

Screenplays outline narratives for films and TV shows.

They require an understanding of visual storytelling, pacing, and dialogue. Screenplays must fit film production constraints.

Example: The Last Light is a screenplay for a sci-fi film. Humanity’s survivors on a dying Earth seek a new planet. The story focuses on spacecraft Argo’s crew as they face mission challenges and internal dynamics.

Memoirs (The Personal Journey)

Memoirs provide insight into an author’s life, focusing on personal experiences and emotional journeys.

They differ from autobiographies by concentrating on specific themes or events.

Memoirs invite readers into the author’s world.

They share lessons learned and hardships overcome.

Example: Under the Mango Tree is a memoir by Maria Gomez. It shares her childhood memories in rural Colombia. The mango tree in their yard symbolizes home, growth, and nostalgia. Maria reflects on her journey to a new life in America.

Flash Fiction (The Quick Twist)

Flash fiction tells stories in under 1,000 words.

It’s about crafting compelling narratives concisely. Each word in flash fiction must count, often leading to a twist.

This format captures life’s vivid moments, delivering quick, impactful insights.

Example: The Last Message features an astronaut’s final Earth message as her spacecraft drifts away. In 500 words, it explores isolation, hope, and the desire to connect against all odds.

Creative Nonfiction (The Factual Tale)

Creative nonfiction combines factual accuracy with creative storytelling.

This genre covers real events, people, and places with a twist. It uses descriptive language and narrative arcs to make true stories engaging.

Creative nonfiction includes biographies, essays, and travelogues.

Example: Echoes of Everest follows the author’s Mount Everest climb. It mixes factual details with personal reflections and the history of past climbers. The narrative captures the climb’s beauty and challenges, offering an immersive experience.

Fantasy (The World Beyond)

Fantasy transports readers to magical and mythical worlds.

It explores themes like good vs. evil and heroism in unreal settings. Fantasy requires careful world-building to create believable yet fantastic realms.

Example: The Crystal of Azmar tells of a young girl destined to save her world from darkness. She learns she’s the last sorceress in a forgotten lineage. Her journey involves mastering powers, forming alliances, and uncovering ancient kingdom myths.

Science Fiction (The Future Imagined)

Science fiction delves into futuristic and scientific themes.

It questions the impact of advancements on society and individuals.

Science fiction ranges from speculative to hard sci-fi, focusing on plausible futures.

Example: When the Stars Whisper is set in a future where humanity communicates with distant galaxies. It centers on a scientist who finds an alien message. This discovery prompts a deep look at humanity’s universe role and interstellar communication.

Watch this great video that explores the question, “What is creative writing?” and “How to get started?”:

What Are the 5 Cs of Creative Writing?

The 5 Cs of creative writing are fundamental pillars.

They guide writers to produce compelling and impactful work. These principles—Clarity, Coherence, Conciseness, Creativity, and Consistency—help craft stories that engage and entertain.

They also resonate deeply with readers. Let’s explore each of these critical components.

Clarity makes your writing understandable and accessible.

It involves choosing the right words and constructing clear sentences. Your narrative should be easy to follow.

In creative writing, clarity means conveying complex ideas in a digestible and enjoyable way.

Coherence ensures your writing flows logically.

It’s crucial for maintaining the reader’s interest. Characters should develop believably, and plots should progress logically. This makes the narrative feel cohesive.

Conciseness

Conciseness is about expressing ideas succinctly.

It’s being economical with words and avoiding redundancy. This principle helps maintain pace and tension, engaging readers throughout the story.

Creativity is the heart of creative writing.

It allows writers to invent new worlds and create memorable characters. Creativity involves originality and imagination. It’s seeing the world in unique ways and sharing that vision.

Consistency

Consistency maintains a uniform tone, style, and voice.

It means being faithful to the world you’ve created. Characters should act true to their development. This builds trust with readers, making your story immersive and believable.

Is Creative Writing Easy?

Creative writing is both rewarding and challenging.

Crafting stories from your imagination involves more than just words on a page. It requires discipline and a deep understanding of language and narrative structure.

Exploring complex characters and themes is also key.

Refining and revising your work is crucial for developing your voice.

The ease of creative writing varies. Some find the freedom of expression liberating.

Others struggle with writer’s block or plot development challenges. However, practice and feedback make creative writing more fulfilling.

What Does a Creative Writer Do?

A creative writer weaves narratives that entertain, enlighten, and inspire.

Writers explore both the world they create and the emotions they wish to evoke. Their tasks are diverse, involving more than just writing.

Creative writers develop ideas, research, and plan their stories.

They create characters and outline plots with attention to detail. Drafting and revising their work is a significant part of their process. They strive for the 5 Cs of compelling writing.

Writers engage with the literary community, seeking feedback and participating in workshops.

They may navigate the publishing world with agents and editors.

Creative writers are storytellers, craftsmen, and artists. They bring narratives to life, enriching our lives and expanding our imaginations.

How to Get Started With Creative Writing?

Embarking on a creative writing journey can feel like standing at the edge of a vast and mysterious forest.

The path is not always clear, but the adventure is calling.

Here’s how to take your first steps into the world of creative writing:

• Find a time of day when your mind is most alert and creative.
• Create a comfortable writing space free from distractions.
• Use prompts to spark your imagination. They can be as simple as a word, a phrase, or an image.
• Try writing for 15-20 minutes on a prompt without editing yourself. Let the ideas flow freely.
• Reading is fuel for your writing. Explore various genres and styles.
• Pay attention to how your favorite authors construct their sentences, develop characters, and build their worlds.
• Don’t pressure yourself to write a novel right away. Begin with short stories or poems.
• Small projects can help you hone your skills and boost your confidence.
• Look for writing groups in your area or online. These communities offer support, feedback, and motivation.
• Participating in workshops or classes can also provide valuable insights into your writing.
• Understand that your first draft is just the beginning. Revising your work is where the real magic happens.
• Be open to feedback and willing to rework your pieces.
• Carry a notebook or digital recorder to jot down ideas, observations, and snippets of conversations.
• These notes can be gold mines for future writing projects.

Final Thoughts: What Is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is an invitation to explore the unknown, to give voice to the silenced, and to celebrate the human spirit in all its forms.

Check out these creative writing tools (that I highly recommend):

Read This Next:

• What Is a Prompt in Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 200 Examples)
• What Is A Personal Account In Writing? (47 Examples)
• How To Write A Fantasy Short Story (Ultimate Guide + Examples)
• How To Write A Fantasy Romance Novel [21 Tips + Examples)

Craft Your Best Tale: 55 Prompts for Narrative Writing

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on September 5, 2023

Categories Writing

You’ve got a story to tell, but where do you start? That’s where prompts come in handy. As a narrative writer, they’re your secret weapon for beating the blank page blues. They’ll ignite your creativity, spark fresh ideas and get those words flowing.

Let’s dive into the world of narrative writing prompts – why they’re crucial, how to use them effectively and even how you can create your own.

Ready to unleash your storytelling potential?

Key Takeaways

• Narrative writing prompts enhance creativity and spark fresh ideas.
• Prompts help overcome writer’s block and provide a starting point for storytelling.
• Unconventional prompts push boundaries and encourage out-of-the-box thinking.
• Prompts improve the overall quality of storytelling by challenging and provoking writers to make every word count.

55 Prompts for Narrative Writing

Here are 55 prompts for narrative writing:

• Write about a time you tried something new.
• Describe your favorite childhood toy.
• Write about a memorable trip or vacation.
• Tell the story of the day you met your best friend.
• Describe a time you overcame a fear.
• Write about a time you felt brave.
• Tell the story of the day you got your first pet.
• Describe a memorable experience you had with a family member.
• Write about a time you learned a difficult lesson.
• Tell the story of a time you got lost somewhere.
• Describe your most prized possession.
• Write about a time you felt proud of yourself.
• Tell the story of a memorable birthday or holiday.
• Describe an experience that changed your life.
• Write about a time you stood up for someone else.
• Tell the story of a difficult decision you had to make.
• Describe a memorable experience you had in nature.
• Write about an accomplishment you worked hard for.
• Tell the story of a time you failed at something.
• Describe a memorable teacher who influenced you.
• Write about a time you experienced a different culture or place.
• Tell the story of a time you overcame an illness or injury.
• Describe a favorite place from your childhood.
• Write about an experience that made you grow as a person.
• Tell the story of a time you made an important discovery.
• Describe a memorable act of kindness done for you.
• Write about a time you got blamed for something you didn’t do.
• Tell the story of a time you witnessed something amazing.
• Describe a memorable concert or performance you attended.
• Write about an experience that brought your family together.
• Tell the story of a time you stood up to a bully.
• Describe a memorable experience you had as part of a team.
• Write about a time you saw one of your role models in person.
• Tell the story of a time you overcame a cooking, baking or crafting disaster.
• Describe your most memorable birthday.
• Write about a time you learned from someone very different from yourself.
• Tell the story of a time you got lost in a new place.
• Describe a time you felt completely out of your comfort zone.
• Write about an experience that made you feel grateful.
• Tell the story of a memorable prank or practical joke.
• Describe a time you achieved a goal through hard work.
• Write about a time you stood up for what you believed in.
• Tell the story of a time you bonded with a pet or animal.
• Describe a place you visited that exceeded your expectations.
• Write about an experience that made you grow in maturity.
• Describe your most memorable holiday tradition.
• Write about a time you got lost somewhere new.
• Tell the story of a time you made an important discovery about yourself.
• Describe a memorable act of generosity you witnessed.
• Write about an experience that gave you hope.
• Tell the story of a time you made an unlikely friend.
• Describe a time you felt completely happy and carefree.
• Write about an experience that taught you an important life lesson.
• Tell the story of a memorable day you spent with your family or friends.

Understanding Narrative Writing

It’s essential to grasp the concept of narrative writing as it’s one of the core skills in storytelling. You are the architect, and your words form bridges connecting your audience to a world you’ve crafted.

The narrative structure is your blueprint; it shapes how your story evolves. Imagine each scene like a stepping stone, leading readers through an engaging path of story evolution. It starts with exposition, setting up your world.

Then comes rising action, building tension that grips their attention. Climax hits next, where all tensions explode into peak conflict. Following this heart-pounding moment is falling action, easing towards resolution before reaching denouement – the final resolution.

Mastering this structure paints captivating narratives that reel readers into returning for more stories spun from your pen.

Importance of Prompts in Narrative Writing

You’re about to dive into a refreshing discourse on how prompts can become your secret weapon in narrative writing.

Imagine, if you will, harnessing the power of these subtle cues to enhance your creativity and give your narratives an undeniable edge.

We’ll explore together how prompts not only stimulate creative juices, but also work wonders in boosting the overall quality of your storytelling.

Enhancing Creativity With Prompts

Prompts can truly enhance one’s creativity, pushing boundaries and encouraging out-of-the-box thinking. Don’t see prompt limitations as restraints; instead, use them as a springboard to dive into the pool of your imagination. You’ll be surprised how a single line can inspire an entire narrative.

Now, let’s talk about unconventional prompts. They’re not your usual ‘describe this’ or ‘write about that.’ They might ask you to create a world where the sky is green or imagine life from a cat’s perspective. Unusual? Yes. Challenging? Definitely. But they awaken parts of your creative mind you didn’t even know existed!

Prompts Boosting Narrative Quality

Through tackling unconventional challenges, you’ll notice a significant improvement in the quality of your storytelling. It’s all about prompt selection and how it influences your narrative structure. Picking an out-of-the-box prompt can push you into unexplored territories of creativity, refining your narrative crafting skills.

Imagine selecting a prompt that nudges you to write from the perspective of an ant or a gust of wind. Suddenly, you’re not just telling a story; you’re creating an immersive experience for your readers. Your narrative structure becomes more intricate as you weave stories within stories capturing microscopic details or the fleeting nature of wind.

Prompts are like secret weapons for improving narrative quality. They don’t just guide; they challenge and provoke, making every word count in your storytelling journey.

Types of Narrative Writing Prompts

Imagine you’re standing on the edge of a narrative cliff, ready to dive into the ocean of writing below.

You’re about to explore two intriguing types of prompts that can guide your plunge: personal experience prompts and fictional scenario prompts.

Personal experience prompts pull inspiration from your life’s tapestry, spinning stories out of threads you’ve already woven.

Fictional scenario prompts whisk you off to uncharted territories, challenging you to build narratives in worlds born from imagination.

Personal Experience Prompts

You’ll find that personal experience prompts can really help you delve into your own history and memories for a unique narrative. These prompts can unlock the emotional impact of past events, making your writing more engaging and relatable. The key lies in careful prompt selection. Choose those that stir deeply-felt emotions and evoke vivid images.

• A childhood memory that shaped who you are today
• An encounter that challenged your beliefs or values
• A mistake from which you learned an important lesson
• A moment of triumph or defeat

Remember, it’s not just about recounting events; it’s about exploring their significance and drawing out their essence.

Fictional Scenario Prompts

Fictional scenario cues are a different beast altogether. They’re designed to stimulate your imagination and inspire you to create engaging tales out of thin air. They help you breathe life into your characters, molding them with depth and complexity for character development. You’re the puppeteer controlling their actions and reactions, their growth, making them relatable and intriguing.

Your plot twists aren’t just dramatic turns in your narrative but serve as catalysts that push change in your characters, ensuing suspense that keeps readers on edge. You weave intricate webs of unexpected revelations using these prompts as guides.

How to Use Prompts for Narrative Writing

It’s essential to know how to use prompts effectively when tackling narrative writing. You’ve got to master Prompt Selection and maintain the Narrative Flow. Here are four pointers for you:

• Understand your prompt: Make sure you’re clear on what it demands before diving in.
• Plan your plot: A good prompt paves the way for a compelling narrative. Map out your story first.
• Go with the flow: Let your chosen prompt guide but not limit your creativity, maintaining an organic Narrative Flow.
• Practice makes perfect! Use different prompts regularly and see how they shape your narratives.

Generating Your Own Narrative Writing Prompts

Now, having explored how to effectively utilize prompts in narrative writing, let’s take a step forward.

Imagine creating your own innovative narrative prompts! No more prompt limitations or being stuck with conventional themes. It’s time for you to challenge the norm and delve into the world of unconventional prompts.

Picture this: a parallel universe where cats rule humans, or perhaps an antique watch that transports its wearer through time. You’re not just confined to ordinary scenarios – think big, think outlandish!

High School Narrative Writing Prompts

Diving headfirst into the realm of high school narrative writing prompts, you’re about to embark on a thrilling exploration. This journey will take you through personal experience prompts, imaginative scenario prompts, and reflective writing prompts. These prompts are not just random words on paper; they are unique tools. They have the power to unlock your creative potential and give voice to stories that only you can tell.

Personal experience prompts can really help you delve into your past and uncover meaningful narratives. They’re not just stories – they’re pieces of you, laden with emotional impact that reveal the cultural narratives intertwined within your life.

Consider these innovative prompts:

• Remember a time when you felt intense emotion. How did it shape your actions?
• Think about an event from your cultural background that significantly impacted you.
• Recall a moment when you challenged a belief or norm in your culture.
• Unearth a memory that’s changed how you view yourself.

Each prompt urges introspection, inviting you to journey through forgotten corridors of your personal history.

Imaginative Scenario Prompts

Shifting your focus to imaginative scenario prompts, you’ll find they’re an excellent tool for unleashing creativity and exploring the bounds of your storytelling abilities. These prompts aren’t constrained by reality; instead, they invite you into a realm where anything is possible. They challenge prompt limitations, pushing beyond conventional boundaries to ignite your imagination.

With scenario variations that span across genres and realities, you’re empowered to build worlds untouched by the mundane. What if humanity discovered an alien civilization? Or if you could travel through time? By placing you in extraordinary circumstances, these prompts demand innovative thinking and original narrative constructs.

You’ll weave tales filled with vivid details and engaging twists, honing skills essential for any writer’s toolkit.

Reflective Writing Prompts

Having delved into the fantastical world of imaginative scenarios, it’s time to switch gears. Let’s embark now on a reflective journey, a more intimate form of narrative writing.

Reflective writing prompts offer you a chance for emotional exploration. They invite you to dive deep into your thoughts and experiences, unraveling layered emotions and insights.

Here are some intriguing prompts that will guide you towards meaningful self-discovery:

• Reflect on a moment when you felt truly alive.
• Write about an encounter that changed your perspective in life.
• Describe an experience where you had to make a difficult decision.
• Narrate an event that tested your resilience.

Embrace these prompts as opportunities for introspection. Remember, each word penned down is another step closer to understanding yourself better.

College Level Narrative Writing Prompts

In college level narrative writing prompts, you’re often challenged to delve deeper into your own experiences and perspectives. You’ve got to navigate the complex process of prompt selection while maintaining an engaging narrative structure.

Picture this: you’re sifting through countless prompts, each one a possibility, a story yet untold. It’s not just about picking what’s easiest; it’s seeking out something that sparks your interest, stirs your emotions.

Once you’ve secured your prompt, then comes the narrative structure. This is where the magic happens – shaping your experiences into a compelling storyline that hooks readers from start to finish. You’ll mold tension and release it at just the right moments. It’s an exercise in introspection and creativity – all rolled into one.

Prompts for Personal Narrative Writing

You’ve mastered the art of college-level narrative writing. Now, it’s time to delve into personal narratives. Personal narratives are a fantastic way to explore your own emotional impact and character development.

Personal narrative prompts encourage you to reflect on past experiences with emotional depth. They also encourage you to focus on instances that have shaped who you are today. Additionally, these prompts invite you to explore your internal character development and use authentic emotions to create powerful pieces.

Remember, these prompts aren’t just for self-exploration. They’re also an opportunity to engage readers through relatable experiences. They help others understand your perspective and maybe even find bits of themselves in your story.

Fictional Narrative Writing Prompts

Let’s shift gears and explore fictional tales, an exciting realm where your imagination can run wild. With fictional narrative writing prompts, you’re given the liberty to construct otherworldly scenarios or weave complex characters. Your prompt selection plays a pivotal role here; it sets the trajectory of your narrative structure.

Imagine being handed a prompt that goes, ‘An alien has landed in your backyard.’ Suddenly, you’re not just yourself anymore: you’re an earthling diplomat navigating interstellar relations right from your lawn! And thus begins the whirlwind journey of crafting your narrative structure—determining how events unfold, controlling pacing and tension.

Overcoming Writers’ Block With Narrative Prompts

As we leave the lands of fictional narrative prompts, you’re now stepping into an arena dedicated to overcoming writer’s block. That pesky problem that often leaves us staring at a blank page, right? Well, bid it goodbye. We’ve got your back with our Block Busters and Prompt Perspectives!

• Block Busters: These aren’t just prompts; they’re like little hammers designed to smash through any creative barrier!
• Prompt Perspectives: Changing your view can sometimes be all it takes to get those words flowing again.
• Personalized Prompts: Tailored to suit your style and stimulate your imagination.
• Categorized Prompts: Sorted by genre or theme for easy navigation.

This innovative approach will not only kickstart your writing but also keep you engaged throughout the process. So, are you ready to conquer that dreaded writer’s block?

Creative Ideas for Narrative Writing Prompts

Diving into the sea of creative ideas for crafting engaging tales, you’ll find a treasure trove of inspiration. The artistry in ‘Prompt Selection’ is not just about picking an interesting idea, it’s about finding a prompt that kindles your imagination, making the process of writing an exciting journey.

‘Prompt Adaptability’, on the other hand, requires your narrative to be flexible enough to accommodate changes. It’s like building a ship capable of weathering any storm and still reaching its destination. You’ve got to challenge yourself, push your boundaries, and let your creativity flow freely.

Review and Practice: Exercises With Narrative Prompts

You’re now ready to review and practice with exercises that’ll challenge your storytelling prowess. These exercises focus on narrative prompts, particularly prompt limitations and unconventional prompts.

• Challenge yourself by creating a story from a prompt with tight limitations – perhaps only three characters allowed or a single setting.
• Push the boundaries of your imagination using unconventional prompts, like beginning your story in the middle or writing from an object’s perspective.
• Do freewriting for 15 minutes using one of these challenging prompts and see where it takes you!
• Reflect on how dealing with such constraints can enhance your creativity instead of stifling it.

This practice will not only sharpen your writing skills but also deepen your understanding of how interesting constraints can open up new storytelling possibilities.

So, you’ve journeyed through the realm of narrative writing prompts. You now understand their importance and variety, how to use them, and even craft your own.

With these tools in hand, writer’s block won’t stand a chance! So go on, dive into that creative pool and let your imagination run wild with innovative narratives.

Remember, practice makes perfect – so keep writing!

Personal Narrative Writing Guide

WHAT IS A PERSONAL NARRATIVE?

A Personal Narrative recounts an event or experience from the writer’s life in story form and often in intimate detail. This text type not only relates to the events happening around the author but also often reveals the writer’s inner thoughts and emotions also.

A personal narrative can be understood as nonfiction storytelling based on the writer’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Told in the first person, the writer draws on their life events to construct a story.

Combining elements of nonfiction recount writing with introspection and the frequent use of literary devices more commonly associated with fiction and poetry, a personal narrative can be best understood as a type of creative nonfiction .

PERSONAL NARRATIVE VERSUS A PERSONAL RECOUNT: SO WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Personal narratives are also frequently referred to as personal recounts. They share much in common but are unique text types, so let’s explore how they compare and contrast.

When we first instruct our students to write stories based on the events of their own lives, they will inevitably write simple recounts. These recounts are based on retelling personal incidents of their lives but lack the depth we can typically expect to find in a personal narrative.

While personal narratives also recount events from the writer’s life, with greater emphasis placed on exploring the writer’s thoughts and feelings on these events rather than just what happened.

A personal narrative is a means for the writer to explore the meaning of the events in their life. It is, at its core, an introspective and creative endeavor that focuses as much on the interior life of the writer as it does on external events.

While the conclusion of a traditional recount usually provides some of the writer’s insights, in a personal narrative, these are woven throughout the text.

STRUCTURE AND FEATURES OF A PERSONAL NARRATIVE

Personal narrative structure.

ORIENTATION Explain the who, what, when, and where of the experience in your introduction to your audience.

FOCUS Mainly focus on meaningful events.

CHRONOLOGY Events are described in the sequence in which they occurred.

ORGANIZATION Relevant information is organized into paragraphs

INSIGHT & MEANING Include personal comments, opinions or interpretations of the experience or event in your personal narrative.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE FEATURES

TENSE The first and third person are used most frequently and recall is always written in the past tense. Present tense can be used for analysis and opinion.

NOUNS Use proper nouns to refer to specific people, places times and events

VOICE Both active and passive voice are used in recounts. Use these to express your emotions and thinking clearly.

CONNECTIVES Use conjunctions and connectives to link events and indicate time sequence in your personal narrative.

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HOW LONG SHOULD A PERSONAL NARRATIVE BE?

The personal narrative is a modern text type and therefore has no traditionally defined optimum length, and we can find texts ranging from a couple of hundred words to a multi-volume series in this genre. 

However, for our students, this text type can be thought of in terms of length as similar to an essay. Like an essay, the text needs to be long enough to comprehensively answer the question, prompt, or the event/experience the student is retelling.

David Sedaris, the American writer and one of the best-known writers of humorous personal narratives, has written many books that could accurately be classified in this genre.

While these full-length books are often built around a loose theme, each chapter could stand alone as a personal narrative essay in its own right, each built around a single identifiable experience or event. 

As with an essay, the length of a personal narrative can be based on a variety of factors, including:

• Age and ability of the students
• Specifics of the question or writing prompt
• Any limitation imposed by a word count
• The complexity of the event/experience being written about.

Regardless of length, given its structural similarity with the essay, personal narratives usually follow a basic three-part structure.

HOW TO WRITE A PERSONAL NARRATIVE STEP-BY-STEP

We mentioned previously that this text type is relatively modern, so there aren’t many fixed rules concerning structure. That said, we can usually identify three distinct parts of a personal narrative corresponding to the three parts outlined in the hamburger essay or the 5-paragraph essay format. These are:

• The introduction
• The body paragraphs
• The conclusion

If you want an in-depth guide to this format, check out our comprehensive article here . But, for now, let’s take a brief look at the purpose of each section as it relates to a personal narrative.

WRITING THE INTRODUCTION OF A PERSONAL NARRATIVE

The introduction of a personal narrative performs several functions. 

1: It hooks the Reader

The first job of the introduction is to ‘hook’ the reader. If we can’t catch the reader’s interest initially, there will be no middle or end for the reader. A strong hook is needed at the very outset, and it can take several forms. 

Some effective hooks to open a personal narrative with include:

• A bold claim
• An interesting anecdote
• A fascinating fact or revealing statistic
• A compelling quotation

Whichever technique the student chooses to open their narrative with, they should ensure it is relevant to the subject matter explored, whether it focuses on external or internal events or experiences or a mixture of both. 

2: It orients the Reader

Like many other nonfiction and fiction text types, the opening paragraph (or paragraphs) will also orient the reader by answering some basic questions such as:

• What is the text about?
• Who is in this story?
• Where is it set?
• When do the events or experiences occur?

While it may also hint at why these events or experiences matter, a detailed answer to the why of a personal narrative may be saved for the text’s conclusion.

This section of the personal narrative can also be thought of as The Exposition .

3: It Sets the Tone

The introduction reveals not only what the text will be about but also how the writer (and, by extension, the reader) will treat the topic. This is the tone.

For example, a more sombre tone has been established where the language used is serious and formal. In this instance, the reader will adopt a more serious approach to the work.

On the other hand, if the treatment of the event or experience is humorous, this will be apparent in the language choices the writer makes and the mood they establish. Going forward, the reader can reasonably expect to be amused by what’s to come in the text.

THE BODY PARAGRAPHS OF A PERSONAL NARRATIVE

The body paragraphs of a personal narrative comprise the bulk of the text. 

As with any type of recount, this section will generally focus on the chronological retelling of an event or experience. 

However, there is another significant difference between this type of recount and the other types.’ The root of this difference can be found in the word ‘narrative’.

While the body paragraphs of a personal narrative can make use of some of the defining characteristics of more traditional types of recount, if the introduction acts as the exposition of the setting and character of the story, the body paragraphs move the text along its story arc.

Though we will cover the main elements briefly, structuring a story is an art in itself and if you want to find out more about it, check out our detailed article on the subject here.

Also, if you want to learn more about the structure of general recounts, find out more here .

While we’ve seen that the introduction of a personal narrative corresponds to a story’s exposition, the following elements of a story arc can be found in the text’s body.

1: The Problem

The problem or conflict is an essential ingredient in any story worth the name. It creates the story’s focal point, ignites the reader’s interest, and drives the story forward. In a personal narrative, this problem can be internal or external, however, there is often an emphasis placed on how the issues affect the writer psychologically.  2: The Rising Action  

As the narrative develops, the dramatic tension will tend to increase. The main problem will intensify, or the writer may introduce additional more minor problems to amp things up. 3: The Climax

This is where the story reaches its dramatic high point. In the case of a personal narrative where the conflict or problem is psychological, this drama and its climax may play out internally.

WRITING THE CONCLUSION OF YOUR PERSONAL NARRATIVE ESSAY

This third and final section of the personal narrative performs a slightly different function to a regular essay’s conclusion. 

While the conclusions of most nonfiction text types focus on restating a central thesis and/or providing a summary of arguments, the conclusion in a personal narrative follows a story’s final section more closely. 

That is, it usually contains the story’s falling action and resolution.

Let’s take a quick look at each.

1: The Falling Action

The story arc dips in dramatic tension after the dramatic high point of the climax. As personal narratives often focus on ‘internal’ events, this ‘action’ can also occur internally. 2: Resolution

The resolution marks the end of the story, and in this text type, it usually involves some personal change in circumstances or transformation. It can also take the form of a lesson learned or new knowledge attained.

TIPS FOR WRITING A GREAT PERSONAL NARRATIVE ESSAY

• Begin with a clear and compelling story: Your personal narrative essay should focus on a significant event or experience in your life that you want to share with the reader.
• Write in the first person perspective: Use “I” statements to describe your experiences and thoughts and take us inside your mind.
• Be descriptive: To bring your story to life, use descriptive language to paint a picture of the sights, sounds, and emotions of your experience.
• Focus on what matters the most: Tell a powerful story with just a few key details. When writing your personal narrative, focus on the most impactful events and thoughts that help convey your message.
• Emphasize the impact the experience had upon you: Leave the reader with a clear understanding of the impact that the experience had on your life.
• Be true to yourself: Ensure your personal narrative essay is honest and genuine in your descriptions and reflections.
• Deliver a powerful ending: The conclusion should summarize the major points of your essay and leave the reader with a lasting impression.
• Review and Revise: Don’t be afraid to proofread your essay several times to ensure it is the best it can be.

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE TEACHING STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

PERSONAL NARRATIVE PRACTICE EXERCISE: ACTIVITY 1

• Organise your students into small groups of four or five
• Provide each group with a selection of personal recounts
• Can the students identify how each sample text attempts to hook the reader in the opening paragraph?
• How effectively does the introduction of each text orient the reader?
• What is the tone of the text? How has this tone been created?

PERSONAL NARRATIVE PRACTICE EXERCISE: ACTIVITY 2

In their groups, with their sample personal narrative texts, ask students to identify how the writer deals with each element as listed below and discuss how effectively they have done so.

• The Problem
• The Rising Action

PERSONAL NARRATIVE PRACTICE EXERCISE: ACTIVITY 3

Now students understand how to structure and write each stage of their personal narrative, encourage them to spend some time brainstorming events and experiences from their lives that could serve as the topic for their writing.

When they have chosen a suitable topic, instruct them to begin planning the writing of their text using the categories listed above. They might even wish to create a simple graphic organizer to help. 

For example:

Introduction

• What is the opening hook?

Body Paragraphs

• What is the central problem?
• What happens in the rising action?
• How does the climax play out?
• What happens in the falling action?
• What is the resolution of the story?

Once students have their narrative adequately planned, it’s time to get them writing earnestly to put all that theory into practice.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE WRITING TEMPLATE / GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

PERSONAL NARRATIVE WRITING EXAMPLES

VIDEO TUTORIAL ON PERSONAL NARRATIVE WRITING

NARRATIVE WRITING CHECKLIST BUNDLE

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Explore our Teaching Unit on PERSONAL NARRATIVES

Writing Creatively to Make Sense of the Times We Live In

Journalist katrin schumann talks about why she writes fiction..

Updated July 12, 2024 | Reviewed by Davia Sills

• Studies show that the act of all kinds of writing hones our reflective abilities.
• Creative writing stretches our imagination, increases emotional resilience, and alleviates stress.
• Writers of nonfiction examine complex issues that are relevant to our times.
• Novelists examine the issues using characters as a vehicle for empathy.

Studies show that the act of writing hones our reflective abilities, stretches our imagination , increases emotional resilience , and alleviates stress . In my conversation with journalist-turned-novelist Katrin Schumann, we discuss how creative writing, in particular, is a worthy pursuit to understand the issues of our time. Schumann is the author of the nonfiction books Mothers Need Time Outs Too and The Secret Life of Middle Children, as well as the novels The Forgotten Hours and This Terrible Beauty .

You’re a trained journalist and the author of nonfiction books. Why, in the last few years, have you focused on writing fiction?

Writing nonfiction has been a way for me to examine complex issues that are relevant to our times, including psychological ones, but I’ve found that in recent years, I’ve been drawn to fiction because it allows me to get closer to the subject. In exploring thorny issues like loyalty and trust or co-dependency , I’m able to do more of a deep dive in fiction. The form allows me to sit with the complexities, to live in the gray areas with my characters.

I can’t always do this with nonfiction, where I’m approaching the topic from a specific angle, seeking solutions. In fiction, I have space to explore nuances that fascinate and confuse me and try to make sense of the inevitable contradictions. It’s messier and more delicate than nonfiction. For me, this feels more true to the human experience.

All writing involves deep reflection. Do you find the act of writing fiction to be a different kind of therapy?

Yes. Spending years creating characters and situations that grapple with serious, real-world problems lets me explore my own difficult experiences. For instance, I’d been wrestling with the aftermath of dealing with a narcissist when I started writing my first novel. By fictionalizing those challenges, I was able to find the courage to linger in the dark areas, examining them from all angles in order to find where the light might get in.

I discovered greater empathy and resilience in myself while also being able to acknowledge the trauma I’d been through. It’s using my imagination, combined with researching some very real and current psychological challenges, that ultimately feels most powerful to me and an effective way to reach readers.

How does fictionalizing the story give you more latitude or depth in exploring topics? You write about things like self-reliance and depression, and I’m wondering why not just write articles about it.

I write to figure out my own issues and to learn, but also to share. For me, fiction writing makes me work harder and go deeper. I’m trying to change people’s minds and hearts in subtler ways. I’m reflecting on experiences I’ve had, wrestling with what they mean, and how we can all learn from them and come out the better for it.

Yet, I don’t want to be prescriptive; I want people to draw their own conclusions. I research deeply about whatever topic I’m tackling.

To write my last novel, I studied the history of neuropsychology, dissecting studies on substance abuse . I conducted interviews. For all my books, I gather and study facts and figures, but with novels, I take that a step further. I put those facts and figures into play with my imagined characters to explore what happens. I imbue the impersonal with empathy and allow readers to try to figure out how they feel about how the characters contend with the issue. This approach leads me to meaningful personal discoveries while also taking the reader along on the emotional journey.

How do you decide whether to approach a topic in a nonfiction book or in a novel?

The more I’m personally involved with the topic, the more I want to explore it in fictional form. Ironically, for fiction, I feel like I should have an even better understanding of some of these psychological challenges than if I were covering them through straight nonfiction reportage. I first have to understand the topic and its history so my story is not only realistic but feels authentic.

I want readers to trust me, which means I have to be thorough. It’s my aim to take them on a ride that’s compelling as well as informative. And I love learning something new when I’m immersed in researching and writing fiction.

If writing fiction is about wrestling with your own demons, why not simply journal?

Journaling is, without question, a beneficial reflective activity. Yet what differentiates this kind of work from journaling about our problems or writing blog posts is that novelists are committing more time and energy to the deep dive on a specific topic. My last novel took almost three years to write, and during that time, I was reading everything I could get my hands on about the topic in order to distill it so that readers might find it relevant to their own lives.

At that stage, it’s not really about me anymore; it’s about the human condition. And in the end, that’s what readers relate to, I think. It’s what makes them call their friends and say, “I just finished this great book. You’ve got to read it.”

More about Katrin Schumann 's work

Lynne Griffin, R.N., M.Ed. , researches family life and is a novelist.

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