Do you have a concept that would make an awesome story? If you have, then don’t keep it in and bring it to life because stories are meant to be told. Whether the tale is based on your life experiences, an existing story, notable mythology, or a historical figure, you should find a way to start writing. But, becoming an author is not an easy task because there are multiple things to consider.
Regardless of how daunting it is topen a book, nothing can compare to the fulfillment and sense of joy of seeing your idea turned into a masterpiece that’s about to touch lives and captivate readers. If you want to write a stirring story that entices the readers to turn every page, then here are some tips on how:
Read more books
Reading is the key to a great story. Why? It lies in the fact that reading more books, especially those under the genre you’ve chosen, gives you more concepts, tips, and knowledge. This activity widens your imagination, improves your vocabulary, ignites passion, and enhances your abilities. The books of Kerry Marzock, Agatha Christie, Mark Manson, Rupi Kaur, Dean Koontz, and Neil Gaiman are some of those that you might want to check out. Thus, take it as a self-investment that can contribute not just to your growth as an author but also to your development as a person. So, start listing and searching the titles of those pieces that interest you, then read.
Brainstorm for the general ideas
You already have a concept in mind, that’s for sure. But, have you considered strengthening that idea, so your story will have a better appeal to your readers? Every tale needs firm foundations so it can stand out among others, give your targets a great reading experience, get better feedback, and widen your reader base. All you need to do is sit and think for new ideas that can elevate your current concept. Apart from that, also try to come up with possible solutions to your story’s conflict and ways to develop your characters. Don’t forget to list down what you have thought about and have it as a guide during the actual writing process.
Focus on moving the story forward
While you are writing, don’t get too much immersed in writing the descriptions and other parts that tend to build images on the minds of the readers. Sometimes focusing on the narration can make your storyline stagnant, which is already a red flag. Although creating imagery through a narrative is a great thing, but you should focus on moving your story forward because nobody wants a tale with no progress. Use the different aspects of your work to create developments, such as your characters. Maximize them to show the readers the events in the story and make them feel intense emotions.
Add interesting elements
Who wouldn’t want an entertaining story? Hence, enhance the overall quality of your work by adding different literary devices. If you follow the traditional plot structure, you can insert different devices in between, such as figurative language, symbolism, motif, foreshadowing, and imagery. However, if you wish to be more unconventional, you can use other techniques that can spice up your work — such as in media res, cliffhanger, and flashback. Just make sure that the twists and turns are captivating enough to hook your readers and drive them to look forward to the flip the last page.
Watch out for plot holes
Plot holes can ruin the integrity and quality of your work. A plot filled with inconsistencies and gaps doesn’t only downgrades the entire story but also disappoints the readers. In order to avoid that from happening, you need to be thorough not just during the writing process but also while editing. So, whether it takes you a draft or two before the manuscript will be approved for publishing, don’t worry. It’s for the betterment of your work.
To sum it all up, becoming an author is a long and, oftentimes, tiresome journey. With the number of ideas, words, and efforts you spend on your work, you can surely feel the rewarding feeling after you see the published output and its growing reader base.
The Damsel’s Files 