How to write a story that is out of this world

Most often I read to be entertained. 

The transient sense of departure from real life and all of its problems into a different world is addictive, and something a written story can achieve in a way no other medium can. Whether penning a blog, media release or fictional novel, the fundamentals of effective storytelling are consistent. With this in mind, my infatuation with reading has one criteria: 

The last thing I want when I’m reading is to be bored. 

So as a writer how do I keep my readers engaged? How can I create a sense of tension so the reader simply cannot wait to reach the next line? 

Here are five fundamentals I’ve found invaluable to consider when writing a story.

1. Keep the story moving

Story pacing should be front-of-mind for every writer. I can’t stress this enough. While it’s impossible to maintain climactic prose from beginning to end, a story should always be moving forward. Extraneous detail and drawn out clarifications, albeit well intentioned, can flip a page or minimise a window faster than a toupee would fly off your head in a hurricane. Every sentence should advance the story in some way. 

2. Use dialogue effectively

Dialogue is an essential part of every good story. It develops your talent, which in turn advances the story in a direct way. By showing instead of telling dialogue also brings realism to the table, making for a more engaging narrative that is relatable for readers. Well-constructed dialogue is a must for good storytelling and should always be present. 

3. Write for your readers’ intelligence

When writing a story, it’s important to stay true to the IQ of your readers. Don’t use jargon or complicated terminology if they’re not going to understand it. At the same time, make sure you don’t underestimate your readers by dumbing down your copy too much or they might lose interest. Resist the urge to over explain, as most readers conjecture just fine and will respond to an honest, simplified story. 

4. Edit, edit and edit again!

Writing without editing is the literary equivalent of nonchalantly strolling out your front door in nothing but your underpants. Editing isn’t always easy though, so how can you do it effectively? The first step is easy – don’t do anything! Put down your pen and take a break. Hitting ‘Save’ the moment you finish your first draft and jumping straight back in for a second run is never effective. The next step, a second draft, should be where you clarify structure, key messaging and the story’s intent. Quickly read your whole story, concentrating on the flow rather than any typos or small errors you can catch later. Once you’ve got your second draft, get some feedback from a third party before doing a final proof to pry out any remaining errors.

5. Practice really does make perfect

As the old saying goes, ‘practice makes perfect’. Practicing a task on a frequent basis with feedback will enhance any task you set your mind too.

If you have a great story to tell and want to stand out from the crowd, contact the Elevate team today.