Everything should be built on a strong foundation if it is intended to stand the test of time. That is as true for a house as it is for a story. Story needs a strong foundation.
Think of your favorite books. What do they have in common: a phenomenal story world or perhaps amazing character arcs? I suspect your favorite stories were built on a strong foundation. The premise and theme of a story are often key.
Though I generally know my premise when I set out to write a story, the theme is not generally something I consciously think about because of the kind of writer I am—seat of the pants. I have a basic idea for a story, and I usually know who the key characters are. Beyond that I don’t know much. If I have a strong story idea the premise and theme seem to be obvious to readers, but to be honest I have to think about it, because I don’t set out writing with a theme in mind and it grows organically as I write, usually completely unaware it’s even there.
Let’s write a story together today. We won’t have a strong foundation, so I don’t expect this story to stand the test of time, but I do think it will be fun.
Here’s the opening line.
The sun shone bright after three days of solid rain.
Your turn. Add to the last line posted in the comments. Have fun!
Want to learn more about me and my books? Check out my website at https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/
There is a fun short story there listed under my books tab that you can read for free. I wrote it while attending my very first writer’s conference then sent it off to a mystery and suspense magazine. They bought it! Talk about an encouragement. This short story is the inspiration for Edge of Truth.
Mary Preston says
Time to see if my precious garden survived the deluge.
Ochegba Adejo says
I’m excited to see the kids come out to play.
Dianne says
Their laughter makes my heart sing.
Lelia (Lucy) Reynolds says
With the weather cooler I can now
Trudy says
have the fire pit that I’ve been longing for the backyard.
Lori Smanski says
This is so true. I can see how it would be true in writing. In the quilting world, if the fabric and thread is not of good quality and sewn well, well then it will not stand the test of time.
I can see this in many areas of life also. Thanks for sharing today.
Paula Marie says
And we can roast marshmallows and snores while the days are still longer
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
Another great example, Lori. Thanks!
Valerie Comer says
Oh, no! The package of marshmallows has gone hard as a rock.
Paula Marie says
Hahaha…you would be the one to keep me from finally trying a smore!!!🤣
Valerie Comer says
Trust me, the grandgirls were disappointed, too, but they made it work. LOL
Lori R says
Quick the store is still open let’s go get some marshmallows!
Lincoln says
“Honey? What’s this petrified bag of marshmallows doing on the counter? Should I throw it away?” my husband asks.
“No. I can break it up to use for a sugar glaze. But could you run to the store for a fresh bag? I want to make smores.” I know the big game is on the TV this afternoon. Will he have time?
Katy says
Oh, wait! I’m the football lover in this family, so he can go while I’m watching the game. While he’s there I’ll also have him pick up some…
Marilee says
“Of course, I can go,” he says as he rushes out the door. I hear his car back out of the driveway and head down the street just as I realize…
Trixi says
“Well at least we have hotdogs to roast over the fire. And maybe a few Hershey’s bars & box of graham crackers for half of a s’more, lol! ” I said.
Trix says
Ooops, I guess I replied too quick while others were commenting, but I can’t delete now….let me start over……
He forgot his wallet with the bank card and cash….not to mention his driver’s license!
Lila Diller says
Since I’m a plotter, I don’t do well at these types of open-ended stories. ;) I need to have my strong foundation already laid to know where I’m going to end up.
It’s really neat that you posted this today, though, because one of my daily devotional emails just happens to be titled, “Keep Building” by Greg Laurie!
I think most of my favorite books have amazing character arcs in common. I gravitate toward character over setting. A few of my favorite fantasy and sci-fi stories have phenomenal world-building.
Megan says
I rush out of the house to try and catch him, but his taillights are already disappearing down the drive.
Priscila Perales says
His phone! Why did I not think of it before? Please, don’t let him have forgotten that too, I think while starting to call his number.
Trixi says
I get this dreadful feeling at the same time I hear a “Staying Alive” theme ringtone coming from somewhere in the living room…….he forgot his phone……
Ausjenny says
That doesn’t sound good he thinks as he hears a thud. Yes the rear tire blew just as he rounded the bend and aquaplanes into a ditch.
Alicia Haney says
That was the last thing he remembered as he was laying in a hospital bed trying to make sense of this mess.
denise says
His spirit brightened when her face peeped through the door, lit with a smile.
Arletta says
Well, he assumed she was smiling. Her mouth was hidden behind the mask she was required to wear to visit him in the hospital.
Linda Herold says
Boy would this be a story to tell his grandchildren one day!
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
LOL this was fun! Thanks for playing.
Susanne says
And then it started to rain…. again.
Natalya Lakhno says
But it couldn’t dampen his mood and the the warm feeling inside when he saw the loving eyes of his wife (even though it’s ONLY the eyes he can see behind the mask).
Abigail Harris says
Because she was there when he needed her.
(Otherwise, I am very bad at this, lol!)
Sherri Hines says
Fun to read through that – nice way to pass quarantine time :) Will the rain ever end? I live in Portland, OR so probably not!
I like books with well-formed characters with quirks that you can empathize with and well written conversations between characters that you wish you could/would say – that make you think!
SARAH TAYLOR says
No it is pouring down today as I sit here and listen to it beating off of the tin roof oh what a sound I love to hear!
Becky Dempsey says
The progressive story was fun. I think I’m sort of in between a pantser and a plotter. I usually have a pretty good idea of what I want the story to be, but sometimes the characters change something on me and I have to go with it.