Tips for Writing a Great Story
Want to tell your story, but don't know how to make it come alive? Here's a few tips:
- Start writing. Just write down whatever comes into your head. Believe it or not, the act of putting just about any words on the page will help you get to what you really want to say. You can always change it later.
- Be specific. Avoid general statements that will undercut your story. Saying, "Someone helped me through that," isn't as helpful as saying, "My uncle was always there to listen to me and offer advice. He even got me part-time work at a music store."
- Show the change. Help your readers understand what things were like before and after – what the young person you're writing about was doing before the intervention, and how his or her behavior is different now. Use examples.
The same advice applies even if you're writing about a change to your juvenile justice system: use examples and data to show what's different.
