Using “Model Stories” to Improve Your Writing

This summer I went to a free writing workshop hosted at Bryant Park here in NYC in hopes of finding new ways to improve my writing. Every year they host these workshops and offer a variety of writing courses from fiction to memoir writing. The workshop I attended was about writing short stories. I walked away with some helpful writing advice that I wanted to share here on my blog. To improve your writing you want to do two things: better reader and use “model stories”.

Be a Better Reader

Being a better reader means to read like a writer. When you’re reading a story, pay attention to how the writer is demonstrating elements such as setting, character, tone, plot, and scene. Studying other people’s writing is a great way to learn technique. So next time you pick up a book or short story, pay attention to how a writer is telling their story.

Use "Model Stories"

A “model story” is story you use as a “model” for your own writing. When you’re struggling to write a particular element of your story, be it setting or character, choose a story you really like or a work from a writer you enjoy and study it.

This exercise was so helpful to me when I tried it. The teacher first had us pick a story element—I chose character. Then she had us pick a passage from an assigned short story and ask how its writer was producing that element. I took about five minutes to write out what I noticed the writer was doing with character. Then she had us apply that to our own writing. Before I knew it, my writing had improved significantly. I entered a flow state where my characters voices and attitudes were coming to life as I wrote.

When you use a model story and read like a writer, what happens is that you pick up on some of the techniques a writer uses to produce certain elements. If you’re struggling to write a certain element, take a look at how a story you like, or a writer you like, produces that element. Pick a short passage and start off by asking yourself, “how is (author) producing (element).” Write out what you notice. Then practice writing that element using the techniques you identified.

I believe this is a great starting point to strengthen your writing. You can do this in the first draft or in your revision drafts. Just give it a try!

Have you ever studied other people’s writing to learn technique? If so, has it helped?

Tell me about it in the comments below!

Hi! Shantal here. I’m a writer and a storyteller. I created Shantal Writes to share my experiences with writing fiction. I also provide new writers with tips, tools, and writing advice. I hope you find something helpful while you’re here!