Writing Your First Story: A Tutorial by Jane Corry

Discover the secrets of creative writing with Jane Corry's technique. Learn how to craft compelling short stories from ideation to final edit.

Dive into the world of storytelling with our tutorial based on Jane Corry's Domestika course, "Creative Writing Techniques for Short Stories". As a Sunday Times bestseller and a seasoned writer for Penguin, Jane Corry has crafted a wealth of captivating narratives. In this tutorial, we'll explore her wisdom and guidance on short story writing, empowering you to write and submit your own compelling tales.

Discover the anatomy of a story, and how to turn your ideas into a structured, narrative piece.

Think about the title
The title can either grab readers' attention, encouraging them to pick up the book, or push them away. Often, she notes, the title might come to her before she starts writing, or it may materialize during the writing process. Drawing from her experience, she suggests the title may come from a hypothetical situation, such as meeting an unkind person from one's past and whether they would be forgiven.

Think about the structure
Corrie underscores the importance of a short story's opening line, which can be the deciding factor in whether a reader continues with the story or not. She often writes her short stories in the first person, as it gives the reader a sense of immersion, making them feel like they are the character in the story. Corrie also mentions the balance between action and rest periods within a story - the action might be dialogue or major plot points, while rest periods might be time for readers to absorb what has happened.

Think about the genre and tone
Corrie advocates for tuning into one's instinct when deciding on the genre and tone of the story. If you feel a story might work better as a romance or a darker narrative, it's essential to trust your gut and try it out. The genre and tone are crucial in shaping the setting, movement, and the overall realness of the characters and plot.

Use the “what if” technique
In developing a story, Corrie uses a method where she imagines a "what if" scenario. She brings up the idea of a girl delayed on a train, a situation many people can relate to. She then expands this scenario, raising questions to deepen the plot – what if the girl is late for a crucial job interview, her phone has no reception, and she's talking to a stranger on the train who drops an important item?

Take a break
In her storytelling process, Corrie suggests giving the reader "a bit of rest time," a phase that does not push the plot forward aggressively but allows the reader to absorb and reflect on what has happened. In her example, the period when the characters are stuck on the train, discussing the job, acts as the 'rest' period in her short story. This balance between rest and action is important to keep the reader engaged.

Practice
Practice and experimentation are key to developing as a writer, according to Corrie. She emphasizes the importance of letting your characters and situations evolve organically. For instance, she takes her young female character off to do some voluntary work after the failed job interview, showing a different side to her character and introducing new dynamics. This willingness to let the story evolve is a crucial part of the writing process.

From conceptualizing your plot to developing engaging characters and building emotional resonance, these techniques empower you to craft compelling narratives. As you embark on your writing journey, remember that every story is unique, shaped by the mind and heart of its writer. Now it's your turn to pick up the pen and write your first short story!

Remember, the magic is in the details, the unexpected turns, and the emotional connections you build with your readers.

Happy writing!