Dialogue between my mind and me

MY MIND: I want to write. Take paper and pen!

ME: What are we going to write?

MY MIND: A short story.

ME: Ok, do you know the rules?

MY MIND: Rules?

ME: You have to follow some rules if you want to write a good story.

MY MIND: I follow my instinct!

ME: It’s not enough!

MY MIND: So, what do we need?

ME: Wait. First of all, are we writing in English or in Italian?

MY MIND: English. Why, does it make any difference?

ME: No-no, just to make sure we have a clear starting point. Ok. So, we need some characters, but not too many. We have to use just the characters that are meaningful to the story. This is not a fiction for tv, so extras will disorient the reader.

MY MIND: Are two ok?

ME: Yes, they can be more if you want, but remember, they must be important for the story. Ah, the story: we should have two stories, one superficial and one an insight.

MY MIND: I don’t get it! What do you mean?

ME: The superficial story is the plot, what happens to the characters. In a deeper level there is the theme on which the story is built, the meaning that you want to give to the story, some aspect of the world that you want to talk about. It is at a deeper level because you don’t say it directly to the reader, but the reader understands it from the behaviour, actions of the characters and what they experience.  

MY MIND: Ah, yeah, of course. Then?

ME: Characters have to be in conflict with someone else or themselves, and they have to overcome this difficulty.

MY MIND: Oh, come on! I don’t want to write a fairy tale with a hero and an enemy that fight against each other. I want to write about normal people of every day!

ME: Let me explain: it is for every genre. The conflict can be big or something important only for the main character. For example, a shy person that has to talk in front of a crowd and this is really scary for him/her. The character has to change; the conflict has to be resolved in some way. Even if without a happy ending, something must happen.

There should be a moment of realisation where a character discovers a small or big truth. For example, that the fear goes away only by dealing with it, not by escaping from it. Something like that.

MY MIND: Ok, let’s write!

ME: Wait a sec. You have to choose if you want to write in first, second, or third person. The point of view must be consistent. Choose one and continue with it. It will determine the structure and what detail can be included or not.

MY MIND: I know this stuff, move on.

ME: The time of the story. We are writing a short story, so let’s say an average of 2000 words, so the time have to be condensed in the parts that are not important. Just summarize them, concentrate and dwell on moments that are relevant. Manage the time clearly; it is better in chronological order, unless you can handle flashbacks properly. Don’t let the narrator explain too much, instead, let the actions and dialogues explain the situation.

MY MIND: Anything else?

ME: More and less that’s it. Ah, your voice, your style. Don’t try to use sophisticate words if this is not You. Be yourself, be natural.

MY MIND: How can I be natural if I have to pay attention to all of these rules? You know what? You think about all this stuff and I’ll follow my creativity.

ME: Ok, as usual you decide! Let’s do it!