How to Write a “Bottle” Story.

The term “bottle story” isn’t new to the literary world, but it’s often overshadowed by it’s video counterparts, the bottle film or bottle episode. However, that doesn’t negate the fact that a bottle story is a great way to strengthen your storytelling skills with a little setting as possible.

What is a Bottle Story?

A bottle story is when a story takes place in a single, often confined setting. It also has fewer characters, tighter dialogue, and heightened emotions.

How to Write a Bottle Story

First, you have to pick a location. It can be a room, a cave, a submarine, an airplane- anywhere that could fit a story. The trick is that it MUST stay in that location.

Second, find your characters. I recommend having one or two in the scene, but you can have as many as the story allows. You can also have off screen characters, such as with a phone call or a TV screen.

Thirdly, craft your dialogue. Without the advantage of multiple settings, your dialogue is the meat of the story. Your character’s words, tone, body language, and attitude will determine if they survive the confinement, or succumb to it.

Finally, think about your emotions. Are your characters concerned about the space? Relieved? Anxious? In danger? Do they need to get out of the location? Do they need to keep others out? Let others in?

These four elements will help you craft a bottle story full of excitement, tension, and intrigue.

Tips for your Bottle Story

These are some general tips I have to make your bottle story as concise as possible:

Since it is limited, bottle stories are best as a short story or a flash fiction (5000 words max)
Don’t be afraid to mix genres! Anything can happen in a single room.
Spend less time on the setting and more time on the characters. Describe only what you need.
Have fun with it! A bottle story is a great way to explore and strengthen your writing skills.

Bottle Story Examples

For written works, check out:

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe
Hills Like White Elephants by Earnest Hemingway
The Martian by Andy Weir
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Room by Emma Donoghue

For video examples, watch:

Iron Lung (Yes, the Markiplier movie)
12 Cloverfield Lane (John Goodman is terrifying!)
12 Angry Men (A classic drama)
The Breakfast Club (Another classic)
Clue (the 1985 Version)
Grave Encounters (One of my favorite horror films!)

As you can see, there are many ways to take a single location and turn it into something new. It’s a great way to hone your character and dialogue skills, work on your emotional delivery, and confine the setting to something unique.