It’s a question we all need to answer in order to write at the highest level.
So I’m asking you to really think about it and give me your answer. Try to keep it short–a synopsis of sorts. After you’ve all had a chance to chime in, I’ll tell you what I think a story is and we’ll see how close our conclusions come.
Amber Argyle
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Author
That’s a broad question. I’m sure I could successfully answer it in about 10 pages…
But, for the sake of brevity, I’ll try and condense it.
A story, to me, is a conflict. And that’s it. There are role functions that must be there. And there are devices to get your main character from point A to point B, but at the center of it all, if there is not a conflict for the main character (or thing in some cases) to overcome, there is no story.
Okay, reading this over again… I guess the story is the character OVERCOMING the conflict. That’s the story. 🙂
As a non-fiction writer I have not had to think this through much, but I like Lady Glamis’ answer(s).
A story is…hmm. That’s almost like asking what is art?
Lady G is on it with overcoming conflict. For me, stories can also contain an awakening or a change in understanding that doesn’t require much conflict.
A story is a way to relate life and truths without a lecture. 🙂