Once you've done the legwork…gathered your notes, asked great questions, and soaked in the scene…it's time to bring it all together. Your job is to shape that material into a story that surprises, delights, and keeps your readers hooked from start to finish.

BEGINNING, MIDDLE, END

No matter how complex the topic, every story follows a basic structure:

• BEGINNING: Set the scene, introduce the key players, and hook your reader with a strong opening that sets the tone.
• MIDDLE: This is the heart of your story. Use facts, quotes, and vivid descriptions that appeal to the senses…what did it look like, sound like, or feel like?
• END: Wrap things up with a satisfying conclusion. Often, this ties back to your opening and gives the story some sense of closure.
  
  

Right after your lead, you'll want to include a paragraph that sums up the main point of your story. It's called the "nut graft", because it contains the "kernel" of your story. It tells the readers what the story is really about and gives them a reason to keep reading.

CLEAR, HONEST, AND FOCUSED

To make your story shine, keep these storytelling essentials in mind:

• UNITY: Stick to one story. If it doesn't support your main point, leave it out.
• MOOD: Use strong verbs and well-chosen adjectives to set the tone.
• FOCUS: Know your audience. Don't bog them down with info they already know.
• ANGLE: Choose a clear point of view…most stories are told in third person, past tense.
• SOURCES: Always name the people you quote or reference.
• OBJECTIVITY: Keep yourself out of the story. Let the facts and voices speak for themselves.
• DIRECT QUOTES: Use quotes to bring in emotion and personality. Always include who said it, and don't forget those quotation marks!
  
  
  
  SAID is always the way to write it, not SAYS. And never, EVER, bury a quote in a paragraph. The quote always starts a new paragraph.
  
  

WORD TRAPS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Even the best stories can get tripped up by a few common pitfalls:

• SLANG: Today's "rizz" is tomorrow's cringe. Stick to timeless language.
• NICKNAMES: Not everybody wants to be known as "Stinky" in print for all eternity.
• RHETORICAL QUESTIONS: Do we really need to be asking why these don't work?
• REDUNDANCY: Repeating yourself over and over again is, well, repetitive.
• FLOWERY PROSE: Keep it simple. Don't try to sound clever, just be clear.
• VAGUE DETAILS: "A lot" or "some" doesn't cut it. Be specific.
• BAD PUNS: Unlike old cheese, like cheddar, they're rarely as gouda as you think.
  
  

DRAFTING IN STAGES

Writing is a process and breaking it down into stages helps you stay on track.

• FIRST DRAFT: Focus on getting your ideas down. Don't worry about spelling or grammar at this point.
• SECOND DRAFT: Refine your content. Make sure all the story elements are there.
• FINAL DRAFT: Polish it up. Check spelling grammar, and flow. Have someone read it before you submit it.