i m 12 class student and want to be story teller what should i do

Dear Mahi Singh,

You have a wonderful aspiration! As the saying goes, to be a good orator, one has to be a good listener first. Similarly to be story teller (I hope you mean a story writer), you have to be a good reader first. Is reading your passion? If not, make reading your habit. The more you read, the better and don't leave out any genre like poem, prose, drama, novel, novella etc. Along with this, listen to music, cutting across genres.

Now, once you develop a taste for reading, try to read in a critical manner. For example, if you read a play, analyse how it has been written (mind you, a play is written for enactment). Write down the plot, the main characters, the time-frame of the play, the interplay of emotions, how the play builds up a tempo and reaches the climax. This way you will, on your own begin to understand how to write a play. This applies to a novel or a short story as well.

First up, read Perrine's 'Literature: Structure, Sound and Sense'. It is available on Amazon. This will give you an overall picture of what literature is all about. Now, if you want any professional help, try to join British Council's course: Introduction to Creative Writing' offered in Delhi and Kolkata. And once you cross 20 years of age, you can go for 'Diploma in Creative Writing' offered in Distance Learning mode by IGNOU with contact classes.

Hope this answers your query and let's hope to read your creative pieces soon! Best of luck!

Hi,

this is a unique ambition. Well story tellers come in all kinds - there are those who write their stories, there are those that showcase it through plays, drama and then I know of some who interact with children in schools too. What is stopping you from being a story teller? You could run a blog, upload your stories in youtube, join a club in case you wish to enact - a good number of ways exist to tell those stories. You just need to see which one suits you. As for studies, well, generally parents feel that a having a degree is safe but story telling can co-exist with that. You could take up fine arts or similar subjects that you like while pursuing your passion for story telling.