How do you write a good Story

Hi Lana. Good question.

I would agree with what Carole said. A good story that you can use your own background to draw from is a great place to start. I would also assume from your question that you are not writing just for fun and that you would actually like to see your story on the big screen or small screen someday.

I would also add this to help you get your stories made so other people can experience them at the theater or on TV.

1. Learn Structure and Format - Every story, whether it's told in the form of a short story, novel, screenplay or stage play, has a certain structure to it. Screenplays (for the movies) and teleplays (for TV) are written to be filmed. Because of this they have a pretty rigid structure to them that industry professionals (producers, directors, actors) will expect. Screenplays and teleplays also have a very rigid format in which they must be written. If your screenplay does not comply with the structure and format people in the industry will probably not accept them. You should start by reading some books or websites on how to write and structure a screenplay. There are a ton of good ones out there. Also, while you can figure out how to format your screenplay using MS Word or another program, there is a GREAT piece of free software out there called Celtx. (www.celtx.com). It will automatically format your story for you just like the professionals expect (it's what I use). It's super easy to learn and it's totally free. You can use it to write for a bunch of different formats, including stage, screen, and TV. I love it. Some books you should read are "Save the Cat", by Blake Snyder (great for learning story structure), anything by Syd Field, "The Screenwriter's Bible", by Dave Trottier (great for learning structure), "The Art of Dramatic Writing", by Lajos Egri. I've read them all and they're really good. One huge thing in your favor if you really learn the craft of writing, is that 99% of all screenplays that are submitted to movie studios are total junk. Bad story, bad formatting, structure, bad execution, because the writers never learn the craft. Learn your craft and you'll be miles ahead of most writers out there and you will get a movie made (I did, but it wasn't my first screenplay. I think it was my tenth or so).
2. Write like Crazy - Writing is a craft and to get good at it you have to practice, practice to practice. Write as much as you can. The experts say you have to write a number of screenplays before you actually get good at it. And they're right. The more screenplays I write, the better I get. Write one screenplay, rewrite it a couple times and move on to another idea. Don't get hung up on working on just one screenplay for 5 years. The more different stories you write the better.
3. Keep a Notebook with you at all Times - I highly recommend you keep a notebook and pen with you at all times (I do). You never know when an idea for a great story will hit you or when you'll overhear or think of some great dialog that you want to write down. I always seem to hear or think of good stuff stuff at weddings. All my suit coats are filled with snippets of dialogue written on napkins and coasters and stuff. It's also a good idea to keep a journal. Write in it every day. I also keep a notebook by my bed so if I have a dream that I think will make a good screenplay I can write it down. A bunch of my screenplays started out as dreams. You also work on problems in your sleep, so if you're really stuck on a scene or story you may solve it at night in your sleep. So be sure to write it down when you wake up before you forget it. You can also email or text yourself ideas (I do that) or even record thoughts on your phone. Whatever works for you. Main thing is to collect those ideas. You may not feel like you're ready to write a particular story for years while you're thinking about it, but preserve the idea. Some writers have trouble coming up with good ideas. I have story ideas that are 20 years old that I've not written yet but I will someday.
4. Develop a Routine - The best writers have a daily routine. They write every single day whether they feel like it or not (I'm bad at this--I tend to write when I feel in the mood so I wind up writing a screenplay in a weekend. Problem is the mood doesn't always hit me very often). Many writers write in the morning, sometimes for a few hours (if they do it professionally) or for a few minutes if they do other stuff like school (which I suspect will get in your way sometimes). Then they rewrite the prior day's work. One thing about writing screenplays is that it's really about the rewriting. Lots of rewriting. But the main thing is to work out a regular routine that works for you. When your homework is done, write for 30 minutes before you go to sleep. If you're too pooped at night (I usually am), get up a little early and write for 20 minutes. Write on the bus. Write at lunch. Write on the weekends.
5. Start Getting Feedback and Enter Contests - Once you've got some confidence and you understand structure and story, it's good to start getting some real feedback. You can give your screenplays to a friend, but unless they're totally into screenwriting too, it can be a waste of time. See if they like the story, but take their criticism with a grain of salt. However, your English or writing teachers at school would be good critics. You may also want to start entering some contests. This is a great way to get feedback on your writing from people who read and write screenplays for a living. Many screenplay contests provide written feedback from actual working writers or script readers (the people who get paid to read screenplays for studios and production companies). They can provide great notes on your screenplay and what may be wrong with it. Screenwriting contests can get expensive (they charge to enter usually) but a lot of times you can get a student discount. There are also lots of free contests. The best website for learning about contests is called Moviebytes (www.moviebytes.com). They also have contests specifically for young people. Some contests are also geared toward different regions or states. You're lucky in Georgia because you have a pretty good movie industry there. Most states have some local movie industry.
6. Take a Class - Most community colleges have screenwriting classes. Take one. It's a great way to learn the craft and it forces you to actually write because you have to turn in assignments. By the end of the class, the goal is usually to have a finished screenplay in your hands. You can also take on online class if you can't get to a community college. And you get college credit that will transfer to college. You may have some film schools around you too that have screenwriting classes.
7. Learn to Accept Criticism - As I've said, this is a process and you have to learn the craft. To get better you have to be able to take constructive criticism. Don't listen to people you don't respect or who don't know what they're talking about. But if a script reader or the teacher of your screenwriting class gives you some criticism, listen to it.
8. Get Your Work Filmed - Once you feel confident, you should try to get your work filmed. There is no substitute for hearing your words spoken by actors and seeing your scenes on screen. If your parents let you, see if you can participate in a 24-Hour film project. I've done these and they are a blast. You get assigned to a team (or you form your own). Each team usually has a writer (you), a cinematographer, a director and some actors. The game is that within 24 hours usually over a weekend each team has to write a short script (like usually 10 minutes), film the script and then everyone watches the screenplays and then all the participants vote on the winner. You could also start your own group at school and create a web series or something. There is no substitute for seeing your work performed. What sounds great in your head rarely works as well on screen.
9. Protect Your Work - When your screenplay is ready to send out to production companies or contests, there is a step you should take. Before you send your work anywhere you should be sure to protect it. Register it with the Writers Guild. This provides proof that you wrote it on a particular date (they keep a proof copy). I usually use the Writers Guild East because the registration lasts 10 years (twice as long as other script registration services) www.wgaeast.org. It's about $17 for students and you get a schnazzy registration certificate.

Good luck. It's really fun.