Published Authors Network
The Force Behind the Book
Writers are also readers and have a great opportunity to study other authors, to figure out what it is about the book that drew them into the storyline. Figuring out the force behind the book that pulled you in will help define your own writing. Every book needs two things at least: memorable characters and a strong storyline.
Characters are the parts of the engine that move the storyline. When you create memorable and long lasting impressions of them into your readers then you’ve hooked them. As soon as a reader ‘feels’ for your fictional character then their emotions, trials and tribulations, and quests belong to the reader because now they care about them. Develop stick people and you lose a reader.
Besides characters, your storyline needs delicate paint strokes to bring your fictional world alive. Descriptions using the five senses sculptures a realistic and believable world.
The point of no return for a writer is the beginning. The opening (beginning - first chapter) should captivate and keep your reader’s attention. That initial hook is the difference between writers who understand the importance and those who don’t. Remember you are competing with thousands of writers…your work should stand apart from all the rest. That ‘hook’ will not only capture a reader, but possibly an agent or publisher when submitting your manuscript.
Besides characters and descriptions you need a solid plot, not one that jumps from one subplot to another without any connection to the overall theme of the book. Each subplot needs to connect in some way and tie in at the end, or help define and allow your character to grow with each obstacle thrown in their path. This entices your reader to find out the conclusion, to see how the protagonist will overcome, if at all. This is called building suspense, taking your reader for a neat roller-coaster ride. Surprise them with a twist ending but make sure that twist fits in and not something blended in out of the blue with no meaning.
Create a vivid fictional world with memorable characters and you’ll have a reader for life.
Characters are the parts of the engine that move the storyline. When you create memorable and long lasting impressions of them into your readers then you’ve hooked them. As soon as a reader ‘feels’ for your fictional character then their emotions, trials and tribulations, and quests belong to the reader because now they care about them. Develop stick people and you lose a reader.
Besides characters, your storyline needs delicate paint strokes to bring your fictional world alive. Descriptions using the five senses sculptures a realistic and believable world.
The point of no return for a writer is the beginning. The opening (beginning - first chapter) should captivate and keep your reader’s attention. That initial hook is the difference between writers who understand the importance and those who don’t. Remember you are competing with thousands of writers…your work should stand apart from all the rest. That ‘hook’ will not only capture a reader, but possibly an agent or publisher when submitting your manuscript.
Besides characters and descriptions you need a solid plot, not one that jumps from one subplot to another without any connection to the overall theme of the book. Each subplot needs to connect in some way and tie in at the end, or help define and allow your character to grow with each obstacle thrown in their path. This entices your reader to find out the conclusion, to see how the protagonist will overcome, if at all. This is called building suspense, taking your reader for a neat roller-coaster ride. Surprise them with a twist ending but make sure that twist fits in and not something blended in out of the blue with no meaning.
Create a vivid fictional world with memorable characters and you’ll have a reader for life.
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