4 Steps to Writing a Story-Quote | Chirasree Bose
These days #quotes are everywhere. Some are writing, some sharing, some copying and pasting, some forwarding, whatever, but you see them almost on every alternate account on Instagram or Facebook. And if not there, then definitely you wake up to some on your WhatsApp chats! 😆
But let me make this clear - we aren't talking about writing just another quote here! We're going to discuss how to write a "story-quote". Now, what do I mean?
Story-quotes are quotes that essentially consist of a story in them. The story can be motivational, can be joyous, doleful, realistic, or even a piece of thought or imagination. The story must have a character or two in it (of course, since it's a story!!). It must have a limited number of words because come on, it's a quote...you cannot just write on and on! But guess what - you need not give it a beginning or an ending necessarily. Interesting, is it? Or, baffling? Let's see...
3 super steps to get started with #writing your first story-quote 👇👇👇
Step 1 - Hold on to That Fleeting Thought
You have thoughts, a hundred of them, as you wade through the day. While typing codes, doing the dishes, cooking, chatting with a friend, listening to people blabbering away, attending a work meeting, watching a television show or a movie, or maybe just before slipping into a long, much-needed sleep. Anytime, anywhere. They're mostly fleeting and before you know it, poof, they're gone and all jumbled in your head. But no, if you want to start writing quotes, more so story-quotes, learn to hold on to them.
Start right now. What are you thinking now as you're reading this? Pause and think deeper. Have your phone at hand? Or a laptop? Maybe a notebook or a sticky note? Write it down as simply as you can, not caring about the word count or grammar. E.g. "that bird flying up in the sky makes me pensive and gives me a prickling sense of loss". Something like this. Quick. Just to keep a note.
This is helpful during the initial days when you're yet to get used to holding on to it in your head. Now get back to whatever you were doing and come back to it later when you have time for thinking of a story around this thought. See, how easily you just gave yourself a story-writing prompt! 🙌
Step 2 - Give Your Story A Gender-Neutral Character (or Two)
Your story needs a character or two. But make them gender-neutral (in most cases, whenever you can). Why? Because that increases reliability for your story. Men as well women, girls as well boys would relate to the characters and the voice. How do you do that though? Simple, use "I" or "you". This "I" can be a he or a she. The same goes for "you". E.g. "I look up at the sky and sun rays cast a blinding shine on my face. For a moment, I've forgotten the pain you've given me and am basking in the light of hope..."
Makes sense? Now, this "I" can be a man or a boy even though you (the one writing it) are a woman or a girl. 😉
Step 3 - Don't Worry About A Beginning or An End
Yes, that's right. Your story can start right from the middle of a thought/feeling and can easily end with the sense of it going on. E.g. "I look up at the sky and sun rays cast a blinding shine on my face. For a moment, I've forgotten the pain you've given me and am basking in the light of hope. I know my heart will ache again and this respite is only fleeting but I also know this hope will carry me toward a new beginning...someday...very soon..."
Not a typical happy ending, not yet, right? Still, very much a story! 😃
Step 4 - Polish it up!
This is the final step. You have the story, the characters. Now is the time to write it down on your preferred Quote App and polish it up a bit to make it ready for your audience. Whatever app you use (I use Canva, it's super easy and fun!), go ahead and paste the story on the template you use. If you're using Canva, the font size can be between 30 and 32.
The number of words can go up to 90 (+-5). You can make it shorter but try not to make it too longer than this.
Now work on the grammar. Use Grammarly if you're not sure. It will automatically correct wrong spellings and grammar use. Double-check the words you're a little unsure of. Add any graphic element if you must to enhance the look (do not overdo this ❌) and there you go - all set to publish your story-quote on your social media channels and share it with your friends.
So, how did you like the steps? Would you want to suggest something else or maybe add a step or two here? Share your thoughts and experience with me and everyone stopping by here. Together, we'll grow by exploring #blogging, #writing, #storytelling 😊
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See you all soon...with my next blog...super soon ⌛