PICK YOUR STYLE

Story writing is an art, which has no limits for the amount of creativity that can be put into it. You can completely change the phase of the tale you choose to narrate by selecting different formats related to the chronological order. While sometimes this enables you to make a plain story interesting, sometimes it aids you in hiding the detailing and popping up with surprise elements.  This post is especially for aiding people who aspire to write and are at the beginning stages of their writing or blogging. First step to success is making right choices. In the style of Indiana Jones, “choose wisely”.

1. Chronological: The Titanic style

   

   This is the most common style which is used by almost every writer and that too regularly! In this style, you don’t disturb the chronological order of the occurrence of events. You just carry on with the flow and pen down the story as it is. Once upon a time, this this writing style created a monopoly in the field of writing. There were other styles too, but sighting those in the literature was a rarity. But over the past few decades, this style also is being used only in the apposite situations. When you want to depict the events of a part of your life (For example your college life or school life) over the time, this is a perfect style to choose.

 

2. Slo-mo chronological: The Inception style

   
   This is a very rare writing style. You can go for this style if you want to depict a short time period in a very strong and effective manner. In this style, you expand the time bubble to give a situation as much detailing as possible. This increases the importance of that situation and also gives you lot of space to write down your thoughts.

   For example, http://ahirraoakshay2020.blogspot.in/2013/08/24-seconds.html

3. Flashback chronological: Typical Bollywood style
   
   

   *Everything goes casually and in the normal pace in the first half. At the end of the first half, there crawls in an unexpected twist in the tale and suddenly readers’ minds shift to the suspense mode. As they begin storming their brains with guesses, a flashback thread arrives and disentangle the sub plots. This spreads the red carpet for the writer to write a clinching ending and finish it off in style.

   * Story opens with a brilliant, interesting opening scene and gradually fades out to a flashback episode for the entire story and the present timeline bouncing back just towards the end. There are infinite other sub-formats for this one and each one has its own specialty.

   For example, http://vivek190992.blogspot.in/2012/06/merry-go-round.html

 

4. Alternate chronological: The Memento style

   http://i.imgur.com/AK8TafY.jpg

   
   
   In some cases, timeline becomes quite unimportant when narrating two related/interwoven stories which are not of parallel chronology but are of parallel emotions. In the cases where you want to portray multiple phases of your life/story, this is a really good option to consider. In this type, your narration of a story goes in chronological order, but in the alternate paras. So basically, this is about two stories running parallel to each other.

   For example, http://vivek190992.blogspot.in/2012/08/the-vow.html

    https://euphoricwrites.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/the-salsa-divine-rhythm/

5. Reverse chronological: The Irreversible style

   

   A great ending is a writer’s favourite weapon. But sometimes the journey is more beautiful than the thrilling end and the beginning is more memorable than the ending scenario. In such cases, reverse chronological style can be used. As the name suggests, it unwraps the plot in a reverse chronological order. This is a very rarely used format. But you can try it to make the mediocre plots more interesting.

   For example, http://vivek190992.blogspot.in/2011/11/first-anniversary.html

 

6. Random chronological: The classic Nolan style
   
   Those who watch Nolan’s movies would be quite familiar with this style. There is no particular order. Its randomness is its strength. But it is a style which differentiates good writers from bad and makes the best writers stand out. Because, no matter how random the timeline is arranged, there is a particular pattern hidden inside the narrative, which when decoded makes you understand many surprises which are carefully placed in the plot. In simple words, there is coherence in that randomness.

   For example, http://vivek190992.blogspot.in/2012/06/following.html

 

TWO STORIES: PAIN OF LOVE

 

For first part, click here: PART 1

SHRESTA, CHAPTER2

August 2013- December 2013

She made it into our literary society and I was happy that we got a sensible and matured member in our team. Over the days, because of the disturbances in my private life and because of the lack of time in final year, we never did talk much. She became a loved and important member of our society and everything was going on perfectly! Now and then, she used to ask me some doubts regarding literary aspects of our society and personality development. I, being a good listener and motivator, used to give her advices and used to motivate her on the career and life aspects. One day, I came to know about her personal life and I was shocked to hear that she was in a depression state, so much that she tried to commit suicide twice because of relationship failures. Seeing the way she laughs and inspires people with her words, I never expected her life to be that troubled! That was the moment I realized that life is not a path towards a goal. It is a series of parallel roads on which many versions of you ride simultaneously. That is the reason you can be depressed about something and still continue to have fun with the friends at the same time. As life goes on, some roads are never taken anymore and some are ignored forever. All we can do is to turn every single stone on every single road into mementos and finally into memories, which are to be cherished forever! My respect towards her increased even more. I had a 3 hour talk with her, in person and succeeded in explaining the meaninglessness of taking one’s own life. She was in tears half of the time but at the end, she promised to fight harder this time.

 

MAYA CHAPTER 3

September 2010 – November 2013

It did not take more than two days for her to accept my proposal. We even passed the “odd phase” of first two months where neither of us were sure of how to carry forward the relationship and where hours of continuous chatting follows days of silence. After that phase, we started opening up more and once the barriers between our private lives were eliminated and that was when we actually became one. Our relationship had seen everything, from silly fights and serious arguments to first kiss and being there for each other always. But as our final year of the college arrived, we started seeing things in a more practical way and naturally the relationship started getting fragile every time! I got an admission in US and that was my first preference. She was placed in a management company. We decided that we would stabilize our careers and after that we will settle down. When asked about my career, I said, “You know that my dream is to become a writer. Once I settle down well, financially, after 7-8 years, I will leave my job and pursue my dream.” She said, “Come on Arya! You are not serious, are you?! You know how difficult it is to become a recognised writer in this country. You write beautifully, but honestly I don’t think your writings are good enough to back up our future family financially!” Indirectly I was given a choice- Maya or Writing! Maya was my life and I had promised her that I won’t let her smile fade off ever. But what about the promise I made to myself that I would never give up my dreams! I knew for a fact that if I leave my dream now, I may be happy for a few years with Maya. But, a day will surely come, when I would blame her for my sleepless nights caused haunted by my left out dreams and I didn’t want that to happen. She deserves a better, beautiful relationship. I had to walk away!

 

SHRESHTA, CHAPTER 3

April 2014

I was in the most delicate phase of my life. It was about a month since Maya and I had a break up and it was the farewell season! Time had arrived, to say good bye to all the loved ones and being on pursue of MS in US, I was not even sure if I would meet them ever again! My heart hadn’t still accepted the fact that I said good bye to the most beautiful relationship I had with Maya, but as I had learnt from Shresta, we just got to live our lives on parallel roads! I realized how painful it is to part ways with the girl whom you thought would be with you for the rest of your life! My mood swings became rampant and I started losing friends. Only the caring ones stuck on to me, trying to get me back into my life. It was the day of farewell. We were enjoying the Rapid Fire round when Shresta entered the hall, wearing a white sari! I tried to restrain my mind from going back to the memories of the first time I saw Maya, in vain. After that, I didn’t speak a word for almost an hour. I said I needed a break and went outside to spend some time alone, walking in the dark! I was lost into the painful memories when a hand patted my back. It was Shresta and her smile made me forget my past for a moment. As she does always, she started blabbering, “Sir, you know how painful my life was when I joined this college. I haven’t told you this ever. The first beautiful memory of mine in this college, is when I read your blog. My heart had overflown with the sweet emotions you write and I was mesmerized by the way your sad endings have the stroke of practicality. That was the only reason why I came to your event then and I opted to join in this society only to know you personally! We might have not been as close as I wished for, but you were always there for me and you are the one who gave me a reason to never thinking of dying again. I redefined my life and every word in this new definition is given by you. I had never said this because I knew how much you loved Maya di and even I was shattered when I came to know about your break up. You know, whenever I read the stories written by you and your description of your female lead, I just wish that I was girl in your stories and in your life. I know this is not a right time to tell you all this, but I also know that if I don’t say it now, I might not be able to say it forever!”

I was speechless. I sat down silently for five minutes and I said, “Right from the first moment we met, I always have admired you! A guy should be lucky to have a woman like you in his life. But I just might not be that lucky!”

She said, “Sir, I know better than anyone how difficult this stage is, to get out of. Carry on with your higher studies. I will wait. After two years of your studies, when you will return to India, I would still be waiting for you. I will be there, standing in the airport, to receive you. By then, if you still don’t think we can live together, just pass by me.”

Just then, everyone came out and dragged me back into the party and the long, confusing day was finally over!

 

NOW: 

One thing that has always amused me is the comfort level between me and Shresta which never went down, even after her proposal. We always have remained friends and chat every day. May be, that was because, I did not want to lose a great friend because of some minor misunderstandings. But I still am not sure of whether to accept her proposal or not. When I boarded down the flight and came into the receiving chamber of the Airport, I had news reporters storming around me. As I had mentioned earlier, these two years were lonely as well as regenerating for me. If I believed in destiny, I may have said that “Destiny had shined over my life”. Two of my books were published and I became a mainstream writer. Through the flashes of the cameras, I saw Shresta, standing far behind and smiling at my success. I was amused! She really came to the Airport as she promised me two years ago! I managed to complete my interview in ten minutes and went to her. Her moist eyes expressed the mount of love she has on me! That was the moment I realized that we are bound to be together. This time, I made the promise, “Shresta, I promise to love you for the rest of our lives and after!”

 

“There is love after love failure,

 There is life after love failure! ”

~ Raja Rani (Movie)

 

TWO STORIES: TALES OF LOVE

“Love cannot be found where it doesn’t exist, nor can it be hidden where it truly does.”

– Kissing a Fool (Movie)

NOW:

It has been two years since we last met. One thing I had learnt in these lonely and regenerating days is that love is timeless and infinite. To not be in love with someone may be your choice but to be is not yours! Two years is a long time for the scars of love to be fade off, but is it enough to gather courage to go on another adventure of love?! Many questions were storming my mind and with still a bit of ambiguity in my mind and fear in my heart, I boarded the flight.

 

MAYA – CHAPTER ONE

August 2010

It was the moment in which I made a decision of staying back in my college. Right from the day I was admitted, I was frustrated by the ragging and group culture in our college. But more than anything, just like almost everyone else, I was depressed of not making it into IITs and felt NIT is not what I deserve. The Jugaadu culture in our college was making it more difficult for an individual with no contacts, like me, to stay in this wretched place. But that moment changed everything. It was our fresher’s party and as usual we were taken to a corner of the auditorium and were being ragged. On top of that, some horrible dances and unbearable singing was making it hell. I was on the verge of bursting out and shouting at seniors. Then came an announcement, “Our next performer is Maya, from Electrical branch, first year. She is going to perform a dance number on ‘Iktara’ from Wake Up Sid.” That was it! Everyone started hooting and shouting that stop these slow numbers. It sure was a wonderful song to hear, but is it good for a dance number!? There came a girl on stage, wearing a white sari. She was an eternal beauty! Once the song started, she just flew with the movements. The way she moved her hands and the way she expressed the mood of the song in her eyes was impeccable! It was as though lyrics were following her movements. Everyone went into a state of awe and I went into a state of falling in first love! Her loose hair was flowing through air carefully as if it was afraid to come into the way and hide her face. As soon as the song ended, I sneaked out into the back stage and complimented her. She smiled and said thank you. That smile was enough for the sweetness of Iktara to be echoed in my heart! That was the moment when I decided that I could go to any lengths to make that smile stay on those lips forever! For that night, I had to settle down with the slaps I got from seniors for sneaking out.

 

SHRESTA, CHAPTER 1

November 2012

Being a third year student and head of the literary affairs, I was organizing a literary event in our Tech Fest and Maya was accompanying me. As it happens every year, turn out of the crowd was poor, thanks to the reputation that in our college fests are conducted only to fill the pockets of organizers with lot of money. It was not false and we know that there is going to be poor crowd. But still, we were disappointed and were bored to death. Our first round being a group discussion, no were even daring to come to our premises as group discussions are the most feared events in our college, next to GPLs. After two hours, a crowd of seven were accumulated and we started the group discussion. Topic was on the existence of god and I knew there were going to be some serious arguments, mostly about some bull shit philosophy they have heard somewhere in the Idiot Box. While I was prepared for a meaningless discussion, a girl started talking and it took less than a minute to appreciate and immerse in her views. The way she described human nature and the philosophy of existence of god was thought provoking. I turned to Maya and joked, “Try talking sensible things like that girl did, at least once in a while” and I had to say sorry for a hundred times, but that’s a different story. This girl, Shresta, had impressed me with her words and I had grown deep reverence for her, even though she is two years junior to me!

 

MAYA CHAPTER 2

September 2010

After that night, I did not waste any time in sending her the friend request and she accepted it. Complimenting her dance became my daily routine and not before long, she became irritated of my flirty behaviour. To my luck, her birthday was near and I had enough time to surprise her (or impress her)! I bought coloured papers and have written articles describing her in 365 different ways, in 365 different papers. I gave it to her on her birthday, bent down on my knees and said, “I was able to describe you in so many different ways because over the past few days, I myself have found to be nothing more than a reflection of you. I don’t want it to be this way. I want us both to compliment of each other for the rest of our lives.”

 

She was in tears. She asked, “How can you be so sure that we will be spending the rest of our lives together? It is not an easy thing to promise that, in any relationship.”

 

I replied, “I can’t promise you that either. First time I met you, your smile melted down my heart and I can promise you that as long as we are together, it would always be melting and I will make sure that your smile stays forever.”

 

She said, “I don’t even know you that well! Our conversations were nothing but a set of compliments and thank yous.”

 

I said, “I will wait”

 

She said, “It may take a long time and I am not even sure of this!”

 

I said, “I am ready to wait forever!”

 

…to be continued

For Part 2, click here: PART 2