Mapping Out Your Dramatic Story

When writing a dramatic story, or any story at all, really, it may be of immense benefit to map out that story in order to best keep track of its various details and tangents. Similar to outlining, drawing out a map will help add a visual element to your story’s progression. Here are four steps to take when mapping out your story:

1. Plan out your scenes. Write a brief description of each scene and how it relates to the overall story arc or any subplots. Descriptions can be written on post-it notes, cue cards, or even note-taking apps. When putting the scenes together, if one seems superfluous, it can be disposed of.

2. Develop a main story thread, subplots, and any related dramatic questions. The main dramatic question will move the story along, while lesser dramatic questions will fuel the subplots. 

3. Organize each scene according to the threads they relate to. Some scenes will relate to multiple story threads and should be mapped out accordingly.

4. Once the scenes are organized, draw out a map. Actually drawing this map will help visualize the main and sub plotlines to see how or when they intersect, and will help organize each scene into a cohesive narrative.

With this valuable tool in hand you’re ready to start writing your next, or maybe your first, dramatic story!

Looking for some great dramatic content? Visit our online library at www.goeread.com for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more. Accessible anytime, anywhere, from your favorite devices.

Reading outside in winter

Curling up with a good book, maybe in front of a fire with a cup of coffee, or hot chocolate, maybe even something stronger. It’s one of the great pleasures of winter. You are warm and secure and untroubled, you are in the optimum state for diving headlong into a good story.

The season may dictate when and where you read, but is it really out of the question that you could take that book into the back garden or to a park or nice, leafy forest and read it?

Reading outside in the winter may not be as crazy as it sounds. For a start, you are getting some nice fresh air, which is good for your mood. Sunlight is limited at his time of the year, some grabbing a bit while you can is a good way to boost your vitamin D levels.

OK, so it’s cold. That just gives you more of a chance to wrap up warm in your favorite sweater and knitted scarf, and hat and gloves combo. As long as it isn’t raining or too windy, you’re good to go. After all, a nice summer breeze may help cool you down when the sun is blazing, but it can be a curse if you’re trying to hold down the pages of a book. A nice, still winter’s morning shouldn’t give you too much bother.

Reading outside in winter can be a more visceral experience too. A lot of a book’s story may take place outdoors, so you can get a good sense of what the characters are feeling, particularly if you have decided to plump for a bit of Nordic Noir.

Find a book to suit your mood with the great drama books available at www.goeread.com.