Gothic Short Story. Suggestions?? (1 Viewer)

[S1M0]

As part of homework during the holidays, i've been told to write a Gothic short story. Thing is, i have no idea how to start the story, nor do i have a good idea about what to write about.

I'm thinking about setting the story somewhere in Spain, and involving the Spanish Inquisition. Kinda original don't you think?

But its how to start it thats boggling me at the moment. Once i get the ball rolling, then i'll be able to go the whole way. So suggestions will be very much appreciated. Even if you think they're bad, they can serve to spark an idea in my head that will enable me to start my short story. Its happened before too.

 

[Cheap Thrills]

Hey, maybe you can start it at one specific witch trial, actually in the court room and stuff. Just a suggestion. Or maybe you can base it around an investigation, starting with the Inquistors or whatever they were called, and base it around their experience.

 

[~untitled~]

Haha, just as long as it's original. Mine was your traditional cottage haunted with sprits murder story... Far too stereotyped.

Starting at then ending is quite original too... Lol, if u get what i mean. Stops it from being predictable

 

[S1M0]

Starting at then ending is quite original too... Lol, if u get what i mean. Stops it from being predictable

Actually i don't quite get that. Any chance you could clarify what you meant please?

 

[ellen.louise]

Are you any good at parody? If not, do not attempt. But if you are... rip the crap out of the genre.

 

[ellen.louise]

Actually i don't quite get that. Any chance you could clarify what you meant please?

Write the ending first, then tell the story of how you got there.

Matrix 2 much?

 

[~untitled~]

By starting off with the action first (or what happens in the end), to get everyone interested early, and then flash back and go from the beginning, eventually getting to the end bit (that you wrote about at the beginning) and then resolve it.

Im not sure which version it is, but there is a Dracula film that is made like that, youve probably watched it in class. But it starts witht the action, everyone in pannic coz Drac is loose on the city, then it flahses back to how Dracula started type thing, and everything that happened to let him be set free again, until it eventually gets back to the current time (Dracula is loose), and then finishes up by Dracula being destroyed.

Haha, at least i know what im on about.I would give you a better eg but my prelim ext folder so conveniently grew legs and is hiding somewhere at the moment, in a place that i cannot locate.

 

[~untitled~]

Haha, ok ill explain it this way....
* Climax
* Intro/orientation
* Body of story, problem or complication
* Climax
* Resolution/ Conclusion

Thats probably a little easier to understand

 

[Kujah]

Thing is, i have no idea how to start the story, nor do i have a good idea about what to write about.

It was a dark and stormy night...

 

[Telekinetik]

As part of homework during the holidays, i've been told to write a Gothic short story. Thing is, i have no idea how to start the story, nor do i have a good idea about what to write about.

I'm thinking about setting the story somewhere in Spain, and involving the Spanish Inquisition. Kinda original don't you think?

But its how to start it thats boggling me at the moment. Once i get the ball rolling, then i'll be able to go the whole way. So suggestions will be very much appreciated. Even if you think they're bad, they can serve to spark an idea in my head that will enable me to start my short story. Its happened before too.

Start your story with something from your senses - a scene, a smell, a feeling, etc. Describe it.

 

[S1M0]

starting the story with the ending first???

ahh...silly me.

 

[S1M0]

that task sounds fun btw

i wish i was given that

Dont worry, you probably will at some point.

 

[topdeck]

Circular narratives are a good way to do gothic....or perhaps include some type of framing device? Letters, someone re-telling the story in a contemporary situation, hidden manuscripts etc. Then again that might be a bit too cliched...

 

[~untitled~]

Are you any good at parody? If not, do not attempt. But if you are... rip the crap out of the genre.

Haha, i like this idea... And gothic is so easy to do it to.
I did something like that, just as a fun, i have nothing to do type thing, lol, gothic cinderella.