Post 2: The Nine Elements of Writing

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Building a Complete Narrative: The Nine Elements of Storytelling

A sweeping view of a valley at sunrise, symbolizing the vast possibilities of storytelling and the light that emerges from clarity and structure.

A step-by-step guide to crafting a cohesive and meaningful storyline

Dear Reader,

In our last post, we talked about the Trinity of Storytelling—the purpose, progression, and beauty that bring your narrative to life. Now, let’s go deeper. How can we take this framework and apply it across the entire storyline?

The answer lies in breaking the trinity into nine actionable elements, allowing you to structure your story in a way that feels both intentional and organic. Here’s how:

Identification: Purpose and Foundation

  1. What the story is about

    Define the overarching theme or central question of your narrative. For example, is it a story about finding faith, overcoming hardship, or building bridges between opposing worlds?

  2. Why it matters

    What message or insight do you want your readers to take away? How does your story contribute to their understanding of themselves or the world?

  3. Who the story revolves around

    Develop characters whose goals, struggles, and transformations embody your theme. These are the people your readers will follow and root for.

Action: Progression and Plot

  1. When it takes place

    Establish the timeline. Is this a contemporary story, a historical tale, or a vision of the future? How does the time period shape the characters’ actions and challenges?

  2. Where it happens

    Create a vivid world for your characters to inhabit. Whether it’s a bustling city, a quiet village, or an intergalactic colony, the setting must enhance the story’s tone and theme.

  3. What happens

    Map out the key events, conflicts, and decisions that drive your story forward. These moments should reveal the characters’ growth and deepen the story’s emotional impact.

Adjective: Depth and Resonance

  1. Thoughts

    Give your characters inner lives. What do they think and feel as they navigate the events of the story? How do their internal struggles reflect the story’s larger themes?

  2. Emotions

    Infuse your story with emotion. Joy, sorrow, fear, hope—these are the forces that connect your readers to your characters and their journey.

  3. Expressions

    Show, don’t tell. Use gestures, dialogue, and imagery to convey your characters’ emotions and intentions, adding layers of meaning to every interaction.

Bringing It All Together

Imagine your story as a symphony, with Identification as the melody, Action as the rhythm, and Adjective as the harmony. When all nine elements work together, your narrative becomes more than a sequence of events—it becomes a transformative experience.

What themes drive your story? What moments shape your characters? How do you want your readers to feel when they close the book? Share your thoughts below—I’d love to hear about the stories you’re creating!


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