Writing Quote: The Art of Storytelling vs. Plotting in Fiction Writing

 

 

The Art of Storytelling vs. Plotting in Fiction Writing

 

by Olivia Salter 

Of course, the writer can impose control; It’s just a really shitty idea. Writing controlled fiction is called “plotting.” Buckling your seatbelt and letting the story take over, however… that is called “storytelling.” Storytelling is as natural as breathing; plotting is the literary version of artificial respiration.

― Stephen King

Storytelling is a craft that has been passed down through generations, from the oral traditions of ancient civilizations to the modern-day masterpieces found in literature, film, and other forms of media. At the heart of storytelling is the ability to tap into the universal human experience, to connect with readers on a deep emotional level, and to transport them to new worlds where their imaginations can run wild.

In contrast, plotting can feel rigid and contrived, like a puzzle that must be meticulously pieced together. While there is certainly a place for structure and planning in the writing process, there is also something to be said for allowing the story to unfold organically, to let the characters guide the narrative, and to see where they will lead you.

When a writer relinquishes control and allows the story to take on a life of its own, the results can be surprising, exhilarating, and profoundly satisfying. It is in these moments of creative freedom that true magic can happen, where characters can break free from their constraints and the plot can twist and turn in unexpected ways.

Ultimately, the best stories are those that feel alive, vibrant, and authentic, that resonate with readers on a deep emotional level, and that linger in their minds long after the final page has been turned. By embracing the art of storytelling and trusting in the creative process, writers can tap into a wellspring of inspiration and craft narratives that are as natural and compelling as the act of breathing itself. 

 

 

About the Author of the Quote

Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. Described as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a reference to his high standing in pop culture, his books have sold more than 350 million copies, and many have been adapted into films, television series, miniseries, and comic books. King has published 64 novels, including seven under the pen name Richard Bachman, and five non-fiction books. He has also written approximately 200 short stories, most of which have been published in book collections. Wikipedia

Stephen King Books at Amazon

 

Also see:

👉Free Writing Resources
👉Fiction Writing books at Amazon

The Intriguing Connection Between Interesting People and Compelling Stories

 

The Intriguing Connection Between Interesting People and Compelling Stories

 

by Olivia Salter

 

Every person has a story to tell, but it's those who lead interesting lives that captivate us the most. They possess a certain spark, a unique quality that sets them apart from the mundane. It is this very quality that draws us in, making us eager to learn more about their journey and experiences. Fascinating people tell interesting stories because they have lived through extraordinary and unconventional circumstances that fuel their narratives with depth and richness.

As storytellers, writers often search for the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary. It is by paying attention to the unusual that one can uncover the most compelling stories. Humans are naturally drawn to the unconventional, the unexpected, and the peculiar. It is in these moments of uniqueness that stories come alive, weaving a tapestry of emotions, experiences, and insights that captivate the audience.

What sets people apart is not just their experiences but also their outlook on life. They possess a certain curiosity—a hunger for exploration and discovery—that propels them into the unknown, uncovering hidden gems and untold tales. These individuals are not content with a conventional existence; they crave novelty, excitement, and adventure, which in turn shape their stories into captivating narratives that resonate with audiences.

Intriguing individuals regularly possess a diverse range of interests, talents, and passions that color their stories with vibrancy and authenticity. They are not afraid to embrace their quirks and idiosyncrasies, turning them into sources of inspiration and originality. By daring to be different, these individuals break free from the constraints of societal norms and expectations, opening up a world of possibilities and adventures that add depth and complexity to their stories.

Moreover, interesting people are often driven by a sense of purpose or a mission that propels them forward on their journey. Whether it be a quest for knowledge, a pursuit of justice, or a desire for change, these individuals are guided by a higher calling that gives their stories meaning and significance. It is this sense of purpose that infuses their narratives with passion, conviction, and resilience, captivating audiences and inspiring others to embark on their own transformative journeys.

In conclusion, the connection between interesting people and compelling stories is undeniable. It is through their unconventional lives, unique perspectives, and courageous pursuits that these individuals become the storytellers of our time, sharing their experiences and insights with the world. As writers, we must pay attention to the unusual, embrace the unexpected, and celebrate the extraordinary to unveil the most compelling stories waiting to be told. After all, it is in the richness of life's tapestry that we find the most captivating tales that resonate with our hearts and souls.

 

Also see:

👉Free Writing Resources
👉Fiction Writing books at Amazon

Human Beings are Story-Telling Animals

 

Human beings are story-telling animals. Literary study necessarily confronts us with the richness of human experiences, helping us to appreciate common values and the differences between those experiences across cultures, places, and times. Literature shows the design of the creative process, allowing us to interpret the deep motivations of human minds and societies—both in the past and today.

 

Literature Quotes

Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.

C. S. Lewis

Literature is the art of discovering something extraordinary about ordinary people, and saying with ordinary words something extraordinary.

Boris Pasternak

The decline of literature indicates the decline of a nation.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Literature is strewn with the wreckage of men who have minded beyond reason the opinions of others.

Virginia Woolf

Literature does not exist in a vacuum. Writers as such have a definite social function exactly proportional to their ability as writers. This is their main use.

Ezra Pound

Black literature is taught as sociology, as tolerance, not as a serious, rigorous art form.

Toni Morrison

Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill.

Barbara W. Tuchman

Literature is my Utopia. Here I am not disenfranchised. No barrier of the senses shuts me out from the sweet, gracious discourses of my book friends. They talk to me without embarrassment or awkwardness.

Helen Keller

There is in fact no such thing as art for art's sake, art that stands above classes, art that is detached from or independent of politics. Proletarian literature and art are part of the whole proletarian revolutionary cause.

Mao Zedong

What is wonderful about great literature is that it transforms the man who reads it towards the condition of the man who wrote.

E. M. Forster

Literature overtakes history, for literature gives you more than one life. It expands experience and opens new opportunities to readers.

Carlos Fuentes

Writers are historians, too. It is in literature that the greater truths about a people and their past are found.

F. Sionil Jose

Ultimately, literature is nothing but carpentry. With both you are working with reality, a material just as hard as wood.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez

We shall suffer no attachment to literature, no taste for abstract discussion, no love of purely intellectual theories, to seduce us from our devotion to the cause of the oppressed, the down trodden, the insulted and injured masses of our fellow men.

George Ripley

 

From the beginnings of literature, poets and writers have based their narratives on crossing borders, on wandering, on exile, on encounters beyond the familiar. The stranger is an archetype in epic poetry, in novels. The tension between alienation and assimilation has always been a basic theme.

Jhumpa Lahiri