How To's → Newsgathering & Storytelling → Writing Tools

What are the characteristics of a ‘good story’?

avatar by Published Mar. 7, 2012 12:24 am Updated Mar. 7, 2012 3:16 pm

I get this question a lot these days: What makes a story a story? Every time I think I know the answer, someone changes the question.

Can you really tell stories in newspapers? Is there a place for storytelling in blogs and on websites? Can you write a good story in 300 words or less? 100 or less? How about 140 characters or less?

Isn’t the upside-down-ness of inverted pyramids and blogs and social networks hostile to the one-two-three power of narrative?

I addressed these questions in this week’s writing chat and offered some on-the-spot advice on how to turn that inverted pyramid frown upside down. You can replay the chat here …

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  • http://twitter.com/mallarytenore Mallary Tenore

    Sounds good. Our chats are all text-based. If you can’t join us live, you can re-read the chat by visiting this same link after the chat has ended.

  • Anonymous

    I just may if I have some extra time.  Working hard trying to create my own hook for my  Wreaths website. Will you have rebroad casts of the chat?

  • http://twitter.com/mallarytenore Mallary Tenore

    Thanks, @Wreaths. I hope you’ll join us for the chat and share some of these thoughts.

    ~Mallary

  • Anonymous

    Interesting topic.  I suppose it would depend on the story or message you were trying to convey. I think one of the characteristics of a good story is the fact the a story can continue to evolve and grow.  The story should keep it readers or followers coming back for more.  It should have a hook.