Follow 5 Key Steps to Write Narrative Stories!
Here are some guidelines for writing narrative stories. It must include an introduction, plot, characters, setting, climax, and conclusion.
Does it sound like story writing? Or different from it? Maybe these two are the same with minor differences. If you are good at storytelling then it is for you. Are you a good storyteller?
Well! In real life, storytelling is not much appreciated but it's a secret of amazing narrative writing. It’s not all about just writing imaginative stories. You also have to be a master in its basics.
In this article, i’ll tell you each and everything about:
- What is Narrative writing?
- Structure of Narrative writing.
- Some important types of Narrative writing.
- Elements of narrative writing.
- Top 7 ways to narrate your story.
- Why is narrative writing important?
- Few quick tips to narrate a story.
Let's introduce narrative writing!
In simple terms, narrative writing is all about telling a story. It’s the way you share experiences, emotions and events in a structured manner that engages your readers. It can be a fictional story or non-fictional and often includes characters, a plot, a setting, and a theme.
Have you ever read a romantic story where two lovers overcome obstacles to be together or a horror story that terrified you? That's narrative writing in action to engage the readers!
Follow these steps to write narrative stories!
Every compelling story has a clear structure that helps readers follow the narrative. Let’s discuss the main structure of narrative writing.
1. Introduction: Take a start of your story
Initially, at this point you set the stage to present your complete story. Firstly, introduce your characters, establish the setting and hint at the conflict.
It is the main starting section of your narration. It’s important to write in a way which engages the readers.
Like, in a romantic story, you might introduce two characters with different backgrounds who meet at a coffee shop. Or it's like discussing the opening scene by describing the location.
2. Rising Action: Build tension and conflicts
Nextly, it’s the time to open up a story. You have to build tension by presenting challenges or obstacles your characters must face. It develops the interest of the readers.
I remember when I started writing narrations, I often skipped to write an engaging or thriller rising action. It makes my story boring and annoys the readers. After a struggle, I found the solution by taking help from a story writing tool.
It's an AI tool that generates high-quality stories with complete structure. This tool works so perfectly in generating natural and realistic stories by just giving a prompt.
You also refine the structure of the story by seeking the help from the story generator. It saves time and extra effort.
Let’s have an example, in a thriller, this could be the discovery of a secret that changes everything and in starting a mystery story, it seems like planning to murder someone.
So, write an engaging rising action that is useful to build interest of the readers in reading the narration.
3. Climax: The heart-stopping turning point
It’s the third most important thing to write in any narration. Climax is the point where you take your story to the peak by creating disgusting situations. It’s the “aha!” moment where exactly the audience gets curious to know about the next happening.
In my initial narrations, the climax was not able to amuse the readers that way. It was just plain and straightforward information.
Real climax is like in a horror story where the protagonist finally comes face-to-face with the ghost that’s been haunting them. And it’s like executing a plan to murder someone.
4. Falling Action: Ease the tension in the story
Last but not least, the other important thing in completing the structure of the narrative is stating a falling action. At this point, situations are going to settle down. The conflict begins to resolve, and the characters deal with the aftermath.
In a mystery story, this could be the moment when the detective pieces together the clues. Or in any fiction story it’s like the situations move forward to conclude.
It’s an important step to write before the conclusion. Don’t miss that point, it makes your narration incomplete.
5. Conclusion: Wrapping it all up!
Lastly, Wrap it up! Resolve any loose ends and give your readers a satisfying ending. Think of an inspirational story where the protagonist, after a series of struggles, finally achieves their dreams.
Try to end with happy endings. It leaves a lasting impact on the readers. Follow this structure to make your writing better and high quality.
Different types of narrative writing with different specifications!
There are different types of narrative writing with different specifications. Each of them is used in distinct stories.
1. Descriptive Narrative: Creating engaging pictures with words
If you’re writing a romantic story, describe the setting in great detail like the smell of roses, the warmth of a lover’s touch. For a horror story, focus on terrible sounds and dark shadows that make you frightened.
Let’s have an example of descriptions in Emily Brontë’s "Wuthering Heights" (1847). The settings in the story are described with so much detail that they feel like a character themselves. They reflect the intense emotions of Heathcliff and Catherine.
"A high wind blustered round the house, shaking the windows."
This single line not only describes the weather but also shows the tension within the characters that pulls readers into the scene.
This type of writing focuses on details of what the characters see, hear, feel, smell or taste. It allows the reader to see themselves fully in the story’s world.
2. Expository Narrative: Add storytelling to convey information
“Animal Farm" (1945) by George Orwell is an expository narrative that uses allegory to explain complex political concepts. The story about the rebellious animals on the farm is more than just a simple tale; it’s a metaphor for the Russian Revolution and the dangers of dictatorship.
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
Orwell doesn't just tell us about political corruption, he shows it through narrative by using animals to explore deep societal truths.
Expository narratives are meant to explain or inform the reader about a particular topic or idea with storytelling. While this type may seem less creative than others, it’s incredibly useful for inspirational stories or even non-fiction writing.
If you’re writing an inspirational story, you have to state the facts about real-life challenges and successes. It’s like teaching through storytelling that makes the lessons more engaging through narrative.
3. Persuasive Narrative: Convincing your readers through stories
By the way, firstly tell me tha secret: have you ever been convinced by reading a story? In a persuasive narrative, the reader's opinion or prompt matters and leads them to take action.
This style often includes emotional connection. The story is written to make the reader feel emotions like love, anger, or sympathy, which helps them understand and agree with the writer’s message.
Harper Lee’s "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1960) is a powerful persuasive narrative. Through the story of Atticus Finch defending an innocent Black man accused of rape, the novel tackles issues of racism and injustice, persuading readers to reflect on their own beliefs.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."
This quote allows readers to develop empathy by using a narrative of moral complexity to make opinions.
Like, for a motivational story, you could write about overcoming obstacles and inspire readers to take similar action in their lives.
4. Creative Narrative: Letting your imagination on peak
If you love world-building, magic or alternate realities then creative narrative is your playground. It’s all about writing narratives that are only fantasy stories by using fictional characters, fantastical settings or futuristic themes.
You definitely know Harry Potter, Right? J.K. Rowling’s "Harry Potter" series (1997-2007) is a perfect example of a creative narrative. Hogwarts, the magical spells, and the enchanted creatures all come from Rowling’s vast imagination.
"Don't dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that."
This line doesn’t just exist in a magical world; it’s a universal lesson for readers, brought to life through fantasy.
Try to build worlds and characters that allow your readers to escape reality for a while.
Elements of Narrative Writing: What makes your story prominent?
Following elements helps to portray your characters, brings excitement to your plot and allows your readers to feel deeply connected to your narrative. But what exactly are the elements of the story?
Let’s discuss all of the elements in detail.
1. Characters: The heart and soul of your story
Imagine reading “Pride and Prejudice” without the fiery Elizabeth Bennet or the brooding Mr. Darcy. Would the story be as captivating?
Characters are the emotional anchors in your narrative. They are who your readers will fall in love with or inspire from them. A strong character is more than just a name on a page; they have depth, desires and flaws.
When developing your characters, ask yourself what drives them? Or how do their personalities clash with or complement the story’s conflict?
This will help you to create strong characters that make your story likable and lovable to read.
2. Setting: Creating a world, your readers feels themselves in it
The setting isn't just a place for your characters to act; it’s an essential part of the mood and tone. A well-described setting can transport readers to another time, place or even dimension.
Try to make the setting which feels real and brings your readers into the world of imagination. In J.R.R. Tolkien's “The Lord of the Rings”, Middle-earth is not only the setting but also an integral part of the story.
Its diverse landscapes from the serene Shire to the dark, the journey and emotional battles the characters face. Without this richly developed world, the epic adventure wouldn’t feel as real.
3. Plot: The Roller Coaster Ride of Events
How can you build suspense or create an unexpected twist? It's an interesting thing to do. Your plot is the sequence of events that organize your narrative. It’s what keeps your readers turning the pages.
A strong plot is dynamic, with moments of tension and resolution, climax and conflict, all woven together in a compelling way. Without an engaging plot, even the best characters may feel lost.
In “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the plot revolves around Gatsby’s obsessive love for Daisy, his rise from poverty, and his tragic downfall.
The series of events from Gatsby’s lavish parties to his heartbreaking end keep readers interested, while delivering commentary on the American Dream.
Think of your plot like a roller coaster. There should be slow climbs of tension and satisfying loops that take your readers on an emotional journey.
4. Conflict: The fuel that drives your story
Conflict is one of the important elements of your story. It’s what forces your characters to grow, to change or to reveal who they really are. Without conflict, there is no story.
Whether it’s an internal struggle, like Hamlet’s hesitation in “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare or an external conflict, such as Harry Potter’s battle against Voldemort. This conflict creates tension and propels the plot forward.
Let’s have an example of worldly famous cute love story of Romeo and Juliet:
In Romeo and Juliet, the central conflict is the fight between the Montagues and Capulets, which keeps the star-crossed lovers apart.
This external conflict drives the tragic fate of the characters and highlights the destructive power of family rivalries.
To create conflict, keep notice what stands in the way of your characters' desires? Is the conflict internal, like a moral dilemma, or external like a dangerous antagonist? It helps you to add an engaging twist and thrill in your story.
5. Theme: The deep message of your story
In “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, the theme of racial injustice runs through the narrative that reflects the moral struggles of the characters and the societal issues of the time.
The themes of empathy and understanding others are also central, particularly in Atticus Finch’s lessons to his children. The theme is the message or big idea your story conveys. It’s the moral or lesson that readers take away, whether consciously or subconsciously.
Conveying deep and meaningful messages through writing morals in the story makes it more appreciable by the readers. They think that beyond only reading words, we learn something.
Themes can be love, sacrifice, and courage to betrayal, vengeance, or the quest for identity. They add depth to your story by giving readers something to think about even after the final page is turned.
6. Point of View: The lens through which your story is told
Who is telling the story, and how much do they know? The point of view (POV) dramatically changes how a story is received.
First-person POV allows readers to see the world through the narrator’s eyes, while third-person gives readers access to the thoughts of multiple characters.
Second person's point of view is also important to add depth, twist and thrills into your narrative. It’s in your hand to give importance to others point of view in your narration.
So, it’s an important element of the story that shows in which oresective you are writing the narration.
Top 7 ways to tell your story: How to make your narrative unforgettable
Now, it’s time to find out the ways how you make your own narrative unforgettable?
Here are the top 7 ways which help you to tell your story.
1. Start with something attractive that puts a great impact on readers
A strong hook immediately pulls readers into the world you’ve created. The first sentence hits the reader's mind to read till the end.
Let’s have an example, in Gabriel García Márquez’s "One Hundred Years of Solitude," the opening line is unforgettable:
"Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice."
This unexpected opening immediately attracts the reader’s and makes them wonder "How did it all come to this?"
Now, how can you apply this? Imagine you're writing a romantic story. Instead of starting with "They met one sunny day," try something like, "She didn’t believe in love until the moment his hand brushed hers in that crowded café." See the difference?
In this way, start your narration to attract the vast amount of the readers and make your story high quality and engaging.
2. State the scenes descriptively to takes the reader in imagination
The success of being a writer is that the readers move in the world of imagination by your words. Instead of telling your readers that a character is scared or happy, show them through their actions, dialogue and sensory details.
In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s "The Yellow Wallpaper," instead of simply telling us that the protagonist is losing her sanity, Gilman shows it through the character’s obsession with the wallpaper’s patterns:
"The pattern does move, and no wonder! The woman behind shakes it!"
This way, we see her descent into madness rather than just being told about it. You also have to do the same in your narrative to make it strong. Readers aren't attracted to the pages. They prefer to read the words that make them feel real.
3. Add conflict and tension that gives a sneak peek of the story
Now, it is time to take your story into the next level. Conflict drives your narrative forward and keeps readers indulge into words.
Without conflict, your story might feel flat. Whether it’s internal (a character’s emotional struggle) or external (a villain or an obstacle), conflict adds drama and depth.
You can see in my stories, just an example from the famous Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet".
The external conflict between the feuding Montagues and Capulets creates tension throughout the story, while the internal conflict of Romeo and Juliet’s forbidden love adds an emotional layer:
"My only love sprung from my only hate!"
This tension makes the story both romantic or tragic and also keeps the readers engaged to see how it will resolve.
The purpose of stating the example is that you see the importance of adding conflict in your story. So, If you're narrating a mystery, think about what secrets or obstacles your protagonist will have to face. Who or what stands in their way? How will they overcome these challenges?
4. Use realistic and meaningful dialogue to bring life in characters
The next most useful way is to portray the dialogue in a realistic manner. Dialogue is a powerful strategy to reveal character personalities, motives and relationships. It also makes the story feel more real and dynamic.
In Jane Austen’s "Pride and Prejudice," the witty and charged dialogue between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy reveals their mutual attraction, even though they pretend otherwise:
“From the very beginning from the first moment, I may almost say of my acquaintance with you, your manners impressed me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others."
Their conversations not only build tension but also develop their characters and the evolving romance. In writing your own story, consider how your characters would speak in real life.
5. Engage the senses: Make your world come alive
Ever experienced yourself as a character in a story? Sensory details like sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures make your story descriptive and immersive. Readers will feel like they’re right there with the characters.
In writing your own story, engage the senses that make your story as real happenings. You have to turn the scene by matching it with the previous one. The relevance between the scenes make the story more real and enjoyable.
6. Create multi-dimensional characters to build connection with readers
Great stories have characters that feel like real people with flaws, strengths, desires and struggles. Whether it's the brave hero, the conflicted anti-hero or the complex villain these characters stay with readers because they’re relatable.
In a romantic story, your characters shouldn’t be perfect. Give them flaws that make them a normal person.
Maybe your protagonist is scared of commitment or perhaps they’ve been hurt before and struggle to trust. These imperfections make them relatable and bring curiosity in the readers for the final ending.
So, in writing your own stories, create multi-dimensional characters to build a strong character with readers.
7. Write end of story with twists and call to action
Finally, comes to the most important point in writing your story. Every strong end. A strong ending is crucial, it’s what your readers will remember most.
Whether it’s a surprising twist, an emotional resolution, or an open-ended question, your conclusion should feel satisfying yet thought-provoking.
So, what story will you tell, and how will you make it unforgettable? It’s your magic to turn your narration into a story that is appreciable by all.
Keep these ways in mind and soon your story will be the one readers can’t stop thinking about!
Why is narrative writing important?
Why do we tell stories? Because they connect us, inspire us and make us feel cathartic. Narrative writing helps us make sense of the world and our place in it. It’s a way to share experiences, find new ideas and even escape reality for a while.
It’s not great? The impact of a well-told story that makes someone believe in love again or encourages them to chase their dreams. That’s the power of narrative writing!
Ready to tell your story?
Whether you’re writing a heartwarming romance, a spine-chilling horror or a thrilling mystery, remember that your story is unique. What experiences and emotions do you want to share? How will you make your readers feel?
Narrative writing is a powerful talent that allows you to connect with others and leave a lasting impact. Write what’s come to your mind. No one stops you, once you start writing amazing stories.
So, what’s your story? Hold your pen and start writing today!
Frequently asked questions
What is the narrative of a story?
A narrative is a telling of some actual or fictitious event or connected sequence of events, sometimes recounted by a narrator to an audience.
Does narrative writing tell a story?
Narrative writing is a subset of creative writing that focuses on storytelling.
What is the importance of narrative writing?
Narrative writing is an essential skill because it not only allows one to express creativity and imagination, but it also teaches them important elements of storytelling such as character development, plot structure, and descriptive language.
