Useful Timeline Exercise

Chao- Here's a Christmas gift for anyone who stumbles upon this entry! Chao once had an English/Literature teacher who assigned her students to make a timeline for stories we had read. Guess it was to help us sort out the story and understand what the heck was happening in them. (Anyone remember carrying around those LARGE textbooks filled with stories of different genres that ask dumb questions at the end?) Well, here's a little something that can help organize your story, whether you're planning a fan fic or something original.

Timeline for (insert title here)

1. Title: (Even if you don’t have a title right away, you can always place a temporary one here.)

2. Setting

A. Time: When does the story take place?

1. Ancient Egypt?
2. 20 years into the future?
3. Now?

B. Place: Where does the story take place?

1. A busy city?
   1. What makes it busy?
      • Constant traffic?
      • Celebrities shopping and partying?
      • A place for the arts?
2. A high tech school?
   1. What makes it high tech?
   2. Advance computers?
   3. Technology commonly seen in Sci-fi films?
3. A typical neighborhood?
   1. What makes it typical?
      • A nosy neighbor?
      • A fun park nearby?
      • Kids playing in the streets?
4. A new magical world?
   a. Are there any humans?
   • Are they above, below, or in the middle between other classes?
2. What types of creatures live there?
• Fairies?
• A made up race?

III. Genre:

1. Humor?
2. Tragedy?
3. Family?
4. Something not listed on FF.net or FP.com?
   1. Thriller

IV. Protagonist: Who are we reading about?

A Characteristics

1. Outer

a. Eyes

b. Hair

2. Inner

Most basic character type: Introvert or extrovert?

• Introvert
  • "the state of or tendency toward being wholly or predominantly concerned with and interested in one's own mental life
  • “The common modern perception is that introverts tend to be more reserved and less outspoken in groups.
  • "They often take pleasure in solitary activities such as reading, writing, using computers, hiking and fishing." (Wikipedia)
• Extrovert
  • "the act, state, or habit of being predominantly concerned with and obtaining gratification from what is outside the self
  • "Extraverts tend to enjoy human interactions and to be enthusiastic, talkative, assertive, and gregarious.
  • "They take pleasure in activities that involve large social gatherings, such as parties, community activities, public demonstrations, and business or political groups." (Wikipedia)

- Cheerful?
- Sarcastic?
- Stubborn?

B. What does he/she want to do, get to, or get away from?

1. Graduate high school?
   1. Honest studying?
   2. Cheating?
   3. Plans to go to college or special school after?
2. Sneak into a forbidden concert?
   1. Grounded?
   2. All friends are going?
   3. Music is disapproved?
3. Escape from an organization that wants his/her skills?
   1. Is he/she already aware of said skills?
4. Do we want to root for him/her?
   1. Hero or villain?- save the world?
   - Or is he/she only concerned only for number one?

4. Antagonist: Who or what is trying to stop the Protagonist from achieving his/her goal?
   1. For what reason?
      1. For the protagonist’s protection?
         1. A parent who has left an organization?
         2. A friend not wanting his/her friend to become evil?
      2. Safety of the world?
         1. Antagonist actually the "good guy"?
      3. Rivalry?
   2. Is it a person? (If it is a person, fill out the Characteristics like for Protagonists)
      1. One person?
      2. Group of people?
   3. Society?
      1. Family?
      2. Friends?
      3. Classmates/Co-workers?

5. Minor characters: Who else is in the story?
   1. What role do they play?
      1. Family
      2. Best friend
      3. Rival (if that is not the antagonist)
      4. Wise teacher/trainer

6. Themes: Is there talk and action for...
1. Destiny vs. Free Will?
2. Overcoming self-doubt?
3. Clash of cultures?
   1. Language?
   2. Traditions?
4. None?

VII. Event 1:

8. Event 2:

9. Event 3:
   1. In these events, try answering these questions:
      1. What disrupts the character from his/her normal life?
      2. What does he/she decide to do about it?
         1. How will it affect others he/she knows?

(Must have a minimum of three events filled out; it expands the story better)

 

10. Conclusion: What type of exciting and unexpected ending will there be?
    1. Does the protagonist achieve his/her dream/goal?
    2. Does someone die at the end?
    3. Does the antagonist convert sides?
       1. Does the protagonist convert sides?
    4. Do any of the characters learn a lesson?

Chao- By filling this out, it will help you organize your story and what happens. You can use whatever organization list you want, just as long as you can categorize each idea in a way you understand. Who knew taking an old homework assignment could be so useful?

Recommended Books for Writing

Chao- While browsing libraries, bookstores, and used bookstores, Chao came upon a good set of books that are very helpful in writing stories. The series is called Write Great Fiction. They are done by different authors but contain the same style and tone. The collection contains Description and Setting; Plot and Structure; Dialogue; Characters, Emotions and Viewpoint; and Revising and Editing. The books are written in like one writer talking to another, very casual. They speak from experience. There are given examples about their advice, quotes, bullet ideas, and even a few exercises every chapter.

Chao- So if you stumble upon these books, take a look at them and see if they're any help to you. You can also browse the Nonfiction section of any book place and see what you can find about writing. There are some that deal with plot and character while others deal with essays for school. Some contain the advice in bullet points, or they are written like a storybook. If books aren't your thing, or you have no access to a library or bookstore, there are still plenty of good websites that can help you out. You just have to type in what you're looking for in a search engine, and, chances are, you'll find sites to help out. There are authors willing to help others out!

Updates for December

Chao- With finals coming up and cleaning the house for Christmas and New Years, Chao honestly doesn't know when anything can be worked on. But here's a newsfeed for this month.

Yu-Gi-Oh!: A couple of one shots will try and be posted, like Cries of the Forgotten, The Vow, and a sequel to Social Obligations. Offspring of Heroes and Where I Belong have a few future portions written, but their updates are still on hiatus.

Phineas and Ferb: No current news at this time. There will be a few posts in the future for writing advice using PnF characters.

Cats Don't Dance: No current news at this time.

Chao- Maybe a few things can happen after exams. Chao will also try and get back to anyone who has sent a PM. Sorry for any delays. There may also be another update halfway through this month.