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Like any successful story, however, it should have the basic key elements: characters, setting, plot, conflict, and a memorable voice. A good short story, whether “literary” or fantastical, will concisely reveal an empathetic truth about the human condition.
- 10 Ways to Make A Good Story Succeed
- Give Your Story Strong Dramatic Content
- Vary Rhythm and Structure in Your Prose
- Create Believable, Memorable Characters
- Make The Important Story Sections Effective
- Deepen Your Plot with Subplots
- Make Every Line of Dialogue Count
- Add What Makes A Good Story
- Create Conflict and Tension
- Deliver Knockout Endings
Give your story strong dramatic contentVary rhythm and structure in your proseCreate believable, memorable charactersMake the important story sections effective‘Man has bacon and eggs for breakfast’ is not a story idea that is going to have readers clawing for a copy of your book. It also is highly unlikely this would sustain an entire novel or an entire story. ‘Man has bacon and eggs for breakfast, but the bacon is made from human flesh’ is a story scenario with much more dramatic potential (this could b...
Writing instructors often advise creative writing classes to write shorter, punchier sentences. Short sentences are great for increasing pace and help to make scenes that have tense subject matter tenser in mood. Yet be wary of monotonous writing. Vary sentence length. Tap out the rhythm of your sentences’ syllables every now and then, or read your...
Why do we find some characters more memorable than others? Because they have one or more of the following: 1. Unique voices, personas and expressions 2. Intriguing (or baffling) goals and motivations 3. Flaws and weaknessesas well as strengths 4. Distinctive appearances (including body language, gait and mannerisms) Note that appearance comes last:...
Each part of a story needs to be effective to make it good. Great openings create fascinating introductions to authors’ worlds, characters and plot scenarios. In a brilliant middle, your story might: 1. Introduce new characters who help or hinder your primary character(s) 2. Add subplots that supplement your main story arc (more on this in number 5...
What is the definition of a subplot?
A subplot is ‘a secondary plot, or a strand of the main plot that runs parallel to it and supports it’. An example of a subplot would be the departure of the character Quoyle’s wife in the early chapters of E. Annie Proulx’s novel The Shipping News. This becomes part of the subplot of Quoyle grieving for (and looking for substitute) love. The subplot sets the tragic tone for the novel and the pathos of it, Quoyle’s heartbreak, drives the reader to invest emotionally in his outcome. This is wh...
Make every line of dialogue count. In great dialogue: 1. We gain a sense of characters’ different personalities, views, quirks (everyone has their own voice) 2. Dialogue serves the story (characters don’t just sit around telling each other what they had for breakfast) 3. Dialogue deepens or develops connections between characters such as conflict a...
What makes a story great? Besides unforgettable characters, a crafted plot, engaging action and dialogue? Immersive settings. A great story puts us right in the heart of its scenes, its world. How do you write a great setting? 1. Make place a character.Don’t just give a house a shape and colour. Give it personality. Is it old and dank, shutting out...
When we read the word ‘conflict’ we often think immediately of violence. War, for example, or physical fights between adversaries. But there are many kinds of conflict you can use to improve your story. Characters’ internal conflicts create tensionby making readers wonder whether they will overcome their hurdles. Characters might also grapple with ...
The ending will either entice a reader to seek out other novels you’ve written or donate the book they’ve just finished. Don’t let your book be clutter. End on a lingering impression:
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- Craft a Tight Plot. The number one thing to do before writing anything is to craft a tight plot. Writing without really knowing in detail where the story is going will likely result in a lackluster tale that doesn’t feel cohesive.
- Fleshed Out Characters. Your characters are the heart of your story, and if they aren’t compelling people, it will be challenging to make your story interesting.
- Hooking Opening. Time to start writing. Your opening chapter or section is crucial because it sets the tone and hooks the reader into needing to continue with the rest of the book.
- Add Lots of Action. Next, make sure that your plot has plenty of action and movement. Even the most well-planned and crafted story can become tedious without action to drive it forward.
- An Emotional Appeal. What makes a story interesting? First, an interesting story appeals to the listener’s emotions. An emotionally relevant story feels more compelling in the moment and remains more memorable later on.
- An Accessible Theme. Next, a good story has a theme that people relate to: Even though listeners might have never experienced the situation you’re talking about, the story should call on a universally relatable experience to create common ground.
- A Point of View. In addition to telling your listeners something about themselves, a good story tells them something about you. Biesenbach explains that by revealing something about who you are, the right story humanizes you.
- An Appeal to Values. Finally, a good story transcends its particular details to convey a larger message, often about values you share with your listeners.
Feb 26, 2024 · Unexpected plot developments, intricate twists, climactic revelations, and surprise conclusions are the pivotal ingredients of a compelling story that goes above and beyond in movies, TV series, or novels. Twists and turns within the plot serve to shatter the predictability of traditional narratives.
Oct 12, 2023 · At its core, what makes a good story is a concoction of interesting characters, a solid plot, an insightful theme, and the ability to hold the audience's attention. It’s like cooking up a storm in the kitchen of creativity, where every ingredient matters!
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Sep 7, 2021 · Learning how to write a good story is a lifelong pursuit. As a novice writer, perfecting your approach to story takes time and patience. Taking the time to understand the elements of a story and how they work together is an invaluable step in taking your writing to the next level.
