What maketh a Story?

I have always been intrigued by the art of storytelling. Even as a young child, as soon as I had learned the very necessary skill of reading, I instantly fell in love with stories and the amazing worlds they talked of. My school’s library has been my favourite part of the whole schooling system ever since. I feel an immense sense of pride in proclaiming that I have read. A lot. Especially when I was younger, and had regular access to the school library. And this habit, this compulsion on my part, has led me to a world of great pleasure, all from the little bundles of printed paper stored in the small library of my school.

But enough about me and my addiction to reading. The point of this text is to explore the intricate parts of a story. I shall take on the task of trying to decipher the nuts and bolts of a story and what it takes to write a story that’ll, eventually, hopefully, become a fan favourite. So, without further ado, let’s get on with it.

The process of writing a story can be described as being equivalent to fishing. A good writer always writes much as the classic way a good fisherman catches fish for his livelihood – except that, I’d like to believe, most writers don’t kill, cook, and eat the reader-fishes they catch. But, for all intents and purposes, the writing process resembles the classic “bait, hook, reel, club, and release” processes of fishing. The rest of this piece will be divided in parts, aptly named after such processes involved in catching fish.

1. Bait

A story always starts with an introductory part. The characters, the setting and the overall feel of the story is introduced here. From the title of the story, to the very first line of the very first chapter, and ultimately to several pages, if necessary, after that, constitutes of introduction.

The job of the introductory part, as the name suggest, is to introduce the characters and their defining traits along with the setting in which the story takes place that makes it unique – all to pique the reader’s interest. More often than not, if the introduction is not eye-catching, the reader can’t find the ordeal alluring enough to read on further. Once the reader’s interest is caught by the subject matter of the story, then, for the reader, it’s an exciting voyage of discovery, while ensuring that the hard work of the writer finds it easier to maintain readership.

The writer must take great care in making sure that the characters not only seem real, as in resembling real life people, but they also, must have a humane side to them – aside from the antagonists, of course. The writer can do so by giving the various characters some specific features, jobs, mannerisms and quirks – idiosyncrasies maketh a character! The writer must strive to personalize the story and characters as much as possible, because people are naturally self-focused. If the reader can empathize with the character, the writer has gotten themselves a yet another fan. When the reader feels a sense of empathy for the protagonist(s), also, more than one’d like to admit, unbridled hatred towards the actions of the antagonist(s), then, the reader finds it compelling to continue reading the story. This is called the ‘bait’ part, and if the writer is smart enough, many a fish can be caught here.

This is where Frodo Baggins of the Shire was introduced, and the middle earth and also, the Eye of Sauron. The readers, at this point in the story, were introduced to the Dursleys, their nephew Harry Potter and eventually, by the bumbling mouth of the friendly half-giant Hagrid, You-Know-Who! This is where the readers found the war-torn Pevensie children, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, and then later on Mr. Tumnus along with the despicable White Witch, and of course, Aslan!

The other part that is introduced here is the setting of the story. This part is where the reader finds out where the characters are, and what they are up to. This part, in short, describes the world the characters of the story dwell in. If not for this part, we’d never know Narnia could be accessed via the wardrobe, or that Harry lived in the cupboard under the stairs, and that you’d need to take the Hogwarts Express to reach Harry’s magical school. This part, also, introduces the reader to what the protagonist(s) of the story ail from. The issues, and progenitors of those issues, are given appropriate service here. The reader finds out that the Pevensie kids are living during the times of the second world war, that Harry is an orphan living with his, positively cruel relatives, or that middle earth is under grave danger of the wrath of the Dark Lord Sauron because of the One Ring.

2. Hook

The second part builds up the initial part of the story. The acts that take place here take the story forward. This is probably the second largest part of the story and sometimes, due to the inaptness of the writer, also the most boring one. This part is also where secondary and tertiary characters and storylines are introduced, played out, and hopefully, gotten done with by the time the main story, revolving around the protagonist(s), is about to be winded down. The middle part is called ‘hook’, as this is where the writer tries to hook the reader up to the goings-on with the protagonist(s). The acts taking place here and the choices made by the characters must be even more outlandish, then the introduction led the reader on with.

The writer gives more of the sneak of the story and its world to the readers. Even more of the unrealistic settings and choices of the characters are presented to the reader here. Now the reader is befuddled, but more than that, ideally, they should be so interested, they'll literally skip meals, for now they really want to know what happens next!

This is where Harry being Dudley’s punching bag made the reader take pity on Harry, who, because of the title, the reader knows, is going to be the protagonist of the book. This is where Harry finds himself on the top of a building just by wishing really hard, and the reader’s like, “wait, what?” and then the very next moment, “how did he? What made it possible?” But it doesn’t end here. A few pages later arrive the thousands of letters addressed to harry and to his cupboard under the stairs, delivered by owls of all things? The reader can’t stop but wonder, “what in the name of all that is holy is happening in this book?” And, “I wonder what happens next!” It’s always the, “what happens next,” that makes a story good!

3. Reel

At this point it, almost, becomes a requirement to find out how the story plays out eventually. Now, that the reader is already hooked, all the writer has to do is give them treats, and juicy bits, and funny moments, and a few not so funny ones, to keep them here, to not only make them comfortable here but addicted to the protagonist’s world. This is the most important part which must make the reader as interested in the protagonist(s)’ world as the protagonist(s) themselves.

A writer must realise that it is a give and take – a spar, if you will, between the writer and the reader – all to keep the reader interested and involved in the incidents happening with the characters so that the reader finds it impossible to abandon the story. Boredom and/or frustration are the writer’s biggest enemies at this point. A perfect balance must be maintained – some hard hitting news must follow a little bit of comical relief. Usually the funny incidents are prematurely perished by a sudden, unexpected bad news – but this is a news that takes the story forward, and wakes the reader up. The reader must be kept hungry, yet well-fed. A good writer takes immense pleasure in doing the dance, and reeling the reader into the amazing world of his writing.

This is where Frodo and Sam set out on the perilous journey and encountered Gollum and the man-eater spider. This is where readers get reeled in the world of Harry Potter by the jumping chocolate frogs, constantly changing staircases, and troll in the dungeon! This is where Harry, Ron and Hermione became friends, and saved Norbert the dragon, and the best of them all – played Quidditch! This is where the reader is taken to the hidden world of Narnia through the cupboard, and given full view of the actions of Mr. Tumnus, talking beavers, the White Witch, and so much more!

4. Club

This part, also called the climax or the crisis, is perhaps, at least in my opinion, the most important structural part of any story. Like, what’s the point of fishing if not actually catching the fish, eh?

I have always believed that it is this part that makes or breaks the story. This part is that particular point in a story at which the issues have reached the most prominent point – the drum roll is at its fastest and loudest.

This part is where lifelong fans are made of poor, unsuspecting story readers. I, myself, have had many a meal go cold just because I could not find the will to put the book down – the tension was so high!

At this point, the reader, ideally, must be more than halfway through the story. This part must be the most interesting, and the most taxing part of the story both for the protagonist(s), and the readers. If the reader doesn’t come out in as worse a condition as the protagonist, at least mentally, then in my humble opinion, the writer has wasted both their own and the reader’s time and effort. The situation should be such, that neither the protagonist of the story nor the reader can take it anymore – everything in their power must be done to save the world! The reader must not only be rooting for the protagonist(s), they must also be up at the ready to take up the protagonist’s part and do the necessary deed themselves if the need arises – or that is what the protagonist shall be feeling at this point in the story.

The One Ring must be destroyed by all means by throwing it in the volcano named Mount Doom and the reader must be ready to journey along with Frodo and Sam to do so – what spider? Professor Snape must be stopped from stealing the Philosopher’s stone and the reader must be willing to be a part of the trio that solved all the challenges put forth by all the professors – for Voldemort must be stopped from coming back at all costs! The White Witch has to be defeated to rid the inhabitants of Narnia of her slavery and the reader must find themselves absolutely adamant to fight in the war – for Narnia and for Aslan!

5. Release

This is the last part of story writing process, and is also, perhaps, the smallest part as well. At this point in the story, the whole saga, or at least the current story, has come to a conclusion, or intermediary conclusion, if the story is a part of a series – which I love, personally.

Now all that’s left is for the dust to settle. Wars have been fought and won. Rings and death stars have been destroyed, the world has been saved, and the people are celebrating. Our protagonist(s) are, finally, taking a well-deserved breather. But there’s still more. The clock has to be wound down. Exams are to be taken, and House cups need to be awarded. Gifts of gratitude are to be presented, and good byes to be said, with, of course, a promise to meet again!

And now you have a fan-following, you can’t shake off!