Everyone loves a good story, whether it's a novel, a movie, a podcast, or a personal anecdote. But what makes a story great? How can you captivate your audience, create memorable characters, and deliver a satisfying plot? In this article, you'll learn some of the secrets to writing a great story, based on the principles of storytelling and storytelling genres.
One of the first steps to writing a great story is to know your genre. Genre is the category or type of story that you're telling, such as romance, thriller, fantasy, or comedy. Each genre has its own conventions, expectations, and tropes that you need to follow or subvert. For example, a romance story usually involves two characters who fall in love, overcome obstacles, and end up together. A thriller story usually involves suspense, danger, and twists. Knowing your genre helps you to craft your story according to the rules and expectations of your audience.
As a book publishing professional, finding the voice, creating the narrative flow, focusing on the authenticity, paying attention to the character development and finessing the way in which the story unfolds are key. A famous author once told me that story development can happen in two ways. One is that of the "architect" who plots an outline similar to a building designer. The other is the "gardener", planting various seeds and allowing the nature of the storytelling to unfold organically. With non-fiction, the architectural process is how we typically work, starting with a table of contents laid out chapter by chapter, and building as we go. In memoir, we start with something dramatic in the person's life to hook the reader right away.
In a world flooded with stories, we often overlook essential questions: What's my message? Who's my audience? Why do I share it? Is storytelling the best way? Consider the famous Indian brand "Titan," renowned for its exceptional watches: Inception/ Message In the '80s, Titan aimed to redefine the Indian watch industry, championing Indian craftsmanship and precision. Audience They focused on the middle-class Indian consumer who aspired to own quality timepieces. Purpose / Why Titan's purpose was to offer a homegrown alternative to imported watches, promoting Indian design and craftsmanship. Storytelling Titan's watch collections like "Nebula" and "Raga" celebrated India's heritage, connecting with customers on a cultural level.
If great writers followed any rules and "secrets" there would be no real art. If somebody is born to be an artist (writer), he/she will be, it is an inner drive to follow one's talent and mission. The point is in courage to achieve that and not to follow the rules.
After reading many fiction books and interviews, I feel there is a pattern that works like a charm. The difference lies in how you capture your audience through storytelling. A story usually starts with an ordinary person who has been dealt a bad hand or is facing the struggles of daily life. Gradually, we see the other aspects of his personality and life. Then comes the conflict that could be internal (within his mind) or external (any external force). It changes his life, and he transforms into a “Hero”. The reason it works is because this is how our lives work. We all face conflicts in our lives, and we connect with someone going through the same and cheer for them to win in life, whether it is Harry Potter or Katniss Everdeen.
The secret to writing a great story is to write your story. What emerges may reveal a genre or 2, or 3 … The key is to work from the inside out - the story’s essence, or, in the words of Orhan Pamuk, it’s ’secret centre’ : what is your story really about? And you’ll only know this by writing and re-writing it, exploring and re-writing and editing it. When you’ve written many stories, you may eventually find a common thread revealing itself. After writing OUR FOREIGN BORDERS I noticed a slight supernatural element in all, as well as the psychological which has led me to read and explore more suspense and horror both in my reading and writing. Write a lot first without rules, read massively widely and watch your styles develop.
Another important decision to make when writing a great story is to choose your point of view. Point of view is the perspective from which you tell your story, such as first person, third person, or omniscient. Each point of view has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on your goals and style. For example, first person allows you to immerse your reader in the thoughts and feelings of your main character, but limits your scope and reliability. Third person allows you to switch between different characters and settings, but creates more distance and detachment. Omniscient allows you to know everything and comment on the action, but risks confusing or boring your reader. Choose your point of view carefully and stick to it throughout your story.
Choosing the right point of view (POV) is like selecting the perfect tool for a project. Each POV, from first person's intimate insight to third person's broader scope, and omniscient's all-knowing perspective, shapes the story's impact much like choosing between agile and waterfall methodologies influences project outcomes. My leadership experience has taught me the importance of aligning POV with the story's goals, ensuring a consistent and engaging narrative that resonates with the audience. Just as in tech, where the approach must match the project's needs, in storytelling, the POV must suit the tale being told.
In my journey through the world of storytelling, I've observed a few universal secrets behind unforgettable tales: 1?? Relatability: Think of Apple's narrative - "Think Different". It resonated because many yearn for innovation. 2?? Conflict and Resolution: Starbucks' transformation from a single store in Seattle to a global icon was filled with challenges, making their journey compelling. 3?? Authenticity: Brands like Patagonia sharing their commitment to environmental responsibility create genuine connections. Every great story taps into our emotions, mirrors our struggles, and celebrates triumphs, no matter the scale.
I’d say, - Present both sides of the story. - Choose your side and justify your choice. - Be open to learning and unlearning. - Engage in discussions and listen to the opposing viewpoint. - Remain authentic and reasonable.
People read stories to hear and learn from other people's unique experiences. In other words, to see and imagine things from their perspective. That's why having a PoV is so crucial. There's nothing new under the sun. But the sun hits us differently. People don't want to hear that you're under the sun --they're, too, and have seen countless people under the sun. They want to hear how the sun hits you. Little nuances, I know. But that little experience, experienced in your own unique way and shared with a perspective only you can articulate is what people want to hear in your stories. It's your PoV. Share it.
Events & Logistics | Writer | Photographer | Business development and Sustainability
Como escritora novel entiendo que, así como el pensamiento humano no es de una sola dimensión, ni puede mantenerse en un mismo tiempo y espacio, y mucho menos carece de emociones; la narración de una historia se enriquece en mayor medida por la variedad de voces con la que es contada. Al escribir un cuento corto, pudiera ser claro desde un mismo punto de vista o voz. Sin embargo, escribir una novela que invite al lector a ser parte de las historias que lee, requiere ese juego de voces, esos cambios de punto de vista; cuidando la trama, dando voz a los personajes que la requieran y, desde luego, conservando la coherencia, con estructuras claras para que nuestros lectores 'escuchen' con claridad quien(es) les habla(n) en cada momento.
One of the key elements of a great story is to create compelling characters. Characters are the people or beings who populate your story and drive the action. They should be realistic, relatable, and complex, with strengths and weaknesses, goals and motivations, and arcs and growth. To create compelling characters, you need to give them names, descriptions, backgrounds, personalities, and voices. You also need to show them in action, dialogue, and conflict, and reveal their inner thoughts and emotions. You should also avoid clichés, stereotypes, and flat characters who are too perfect or too evil.
A character doesn't have to be noble or even particularly nice. You can have protagonists who are rude with life lessons to learn, and antagonists who are so awful to everyone it's a pleasure for the reader when they meet their end. A character doesn't have to be perfect or even likeable, just interesting. If you can craft a character where the reader wants to know what happens next, you've succeeded.
When discussing the secrets of a great story, "Lord of the Rings" springs to mind. Tolkien created compelling characters like Frodo, a simple hobbit thrust into unimaginable peril, and Aragorn, a reluctant king with depth and conflict. These characters, fleshed out with vivid backstories, motives, and arcs, drive the tale forward. In a completely different realm, J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" also excels in character-building. From Harry's bravery to Snape's complex motivations, these characters breathe life into the Wizarding World. To write an engaging story, envision a universe, craft its inhabitants with care, and let them navigate the challenges of their world. Your characters will carry the heart of your narrative.
The best way to create a believable character is to observe real life. Walk into a coffee shop and listen and watch. See how people act, how they gesture, how they speak. Take that knowledge and infuse it into each character to make them come alive.
Muito mais do que o tema de nossa história temos que estar atentos à cria??o e ao perfil dos nossos personagens, pois se n?o houver identifica??o do público ele nao "comprará" nossa história. é super importante esse ponto da personalidade, pois mesmo que seja um vil?o, ele n?o deixa de ser um ser humano e tem os seus pontos frágeis, por isso, nunca é recomendado "carregar nas tintas" os personagens. Os que s?o mais críveis s?o justamente os que tê m mais características humanas e que tenham motiva??es e a??es.
You can be a character in your own stories. But are you compelling? If not, you may have to borrow the stories of other people who are much more interesting...
Another essential component of a great story is to plot your story. Plot is the sequence of events that happen in your story, from the beginning to the end. It should be coherent, logical, and engaging, with a clear structure, a central conflict, and a resolution. To plot your story, you need to have a premise, a hook, a climax, and a conclusion. You also need to use techniques such as subplots, flashbacks, foreshadowing, and twists to add depth, variety, and surprise to your story. You should also avoid plot holes, inconsistencies, and deus ex machina.
Plotting a story is indeed a delicate art. For instance, consider J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series. The intricate plot, complete with foreshadowing (the prophecy about Harry and Voldemort) and twists (Snape's true allegiance), is what kept readers eagerly flipping pages. Similarly, in the business world, companies craft their narratives. Apple, for example, masterfully plotted its story from the introduction of the first iPhone to its evolution, always keeping users anticipating the 'next big thing.' To weave a captivating tale, it's paramount to structure your plot effectively, ensuring every piece contributes to the narrative's climax and resolution.
Stick to 1 narrative. Describe the protagonist. What's their current state? Dive into their challenges. What's the worst-case scenario? How does it make them feel? Enter the resolution phase. What did they do to change their state? How does life look like now? This structure can be followed for any story format: - LinkedIn post - Profile copy - Website copy - Emails - Pitch decks And the rest.
Plot starts with the first line, and the first line should be pregnant with change or looming change. "Change" can even lurk within your own reaction to the work. Take Melville's opening line in Moby Dick. You pick up the book totally ignorant of the story. Then the 1st line "Call me Ishmael." Now you're hooked. Why not tell me your real name? What happened that you, "Ishmael," are being so obscure about yourself? I changed from being ignorant and indifferent to the story to immediately wanting to know what the character had experienced to admit to having a fake name. The character changed at some point, and so did I, all withing one short opening line. Not bad for a three word sentence.
Plotting to me, is at least 30% of the book-writing process. As I worked on my own novel, the urge to just get into the writing phase and bang out chapters was very strong. However, it leads to frustration as after every chapter you have to rethink the entire plot. Having some sort of a plot right from the beginning helps. The plot can of course evolve as you trace your character's journey, but having an outline makes the job much easier. Have the bare bones with you from the start. This is my main character, here is where it finds its purpose. This is where it faces a key challenge, this is where it wins. Repeat this exercise for other key characters and figure out parts where events converge.
I have a formula for plotting which I learnt from a movie screen writer/consultant. This formula is both a broad conceptual overview and broken into sub plots and plot points down to the number of words in each chapter to keep the story moving along. This formula guides me through the writing process to hit the marks, like an actor on a stage. If I come up short, I add more and if I get too wordy, out come the editing shears.
One of the most common advice for writing a great story is to show, don't tell. This means that you should use sensory details, actions, dialogue, and imagery to convey your story, rather than just stating facts, feelings, or opinions. Showing allows you to create vivid scenes, evoke emotions, and build tension, while telling can be boring, vague, or redundant. For example, instead of telling that your character is angry, show how they clench their fists, raise their voice, or slam the door. Instead of telling that your setting is beautiful, show how the sun shines, the birds sing, or the flowers bloom.
Use descriptive language and vivid details to teleport your audience into the scene. You want them visualizing it, as if they're right there in, experiencing it for themselves. Use words that evoke a picture in the reader's mind. Go further by choosing a small, specific, and memorable detail that somehow captures the emotion, meaning, or truth of the story. The more ordinary it is, the more powerful it can be. For example, in a story about a child having to walk long distances to collect clean water for their family, the key detail could be the bucket they carry or their right sandal that breaks every hundred yards or so. The more specific you make it, the more believable and immersive your story.
Think of every Lifetime or Hallmark movie you've seen: They do a ton of clunky exposition dumps. I find it's a fun practice to think of ways you could have conveyed the same message through alternative dialogue and imagery. This can be a helpful exercise in terms of improving your skills.
Don’t talk about your brand story. (no one is interested) Most people just describe the story. “I cried as I watched my mother leave.” It’s not a story. It’s a summary being *told* This is what an actual story looks like: “I could not believe what was happening. I sank to the ground. Tears rolled down my cheeks but I didn’t care. My gaze was fixed at the door. How could she? How could she leave us like that?” Don’t say you are heartbroken. Paint a picture of what “heartbroken” feels like. Allow your readers to experience your story and emotions. “Show, don’t tell.”
The point here is to "experience" something, rather than being "informed" of something. Being informed is simply information. "A summer storm was approaching." To experience something to feel, to sense, to imagine, but also to be informed. "The sun set as dark clouds formed on the horizon, the air pregnant with an uncertain threat. Lightening illuminated the clouds, but the rumble of the thunder hadn't reached me yet." Ok, leaving aside the dubious quality of my impromtu writing, it's clear that in addition to being immersed in a mood, I'm also essentially informed that "a storm is coming." Showing simply gets more done, more effectively, than merely informing does.
One way show don't tell can be very easy. First understanding when to show and tell is way more important than just going ahead and describing everything. Instead of describing every silly thing, focus on the life-turning moments and only show them. Telling is good when you want the story to be fast-paced. Now when you're ready to show, imagine if you/ your character would have lived that moment with a camera attached to your head, how things would have been? You would see the moments, the way you reacted and every thing that affected you. Then go on and show that. From the cold floor that tingles your body to the chilling movie scene giving you goose bumps.
The final secret to writing a great story is to revise and edit your story. Revision and editing are the processes of improving your story by checking and correcting your content, structure, style, and grammar. They help you to polish your story, eliminate errors, and enhance your clarity, coherence, and impact. To revise and edit your story, you need to read it several times, from different perspectives and with different tools. You also need to get feedback from others, such as beta readers, editors, or peers. You should also be open to change, cut, or add anything that can make your story better.
I've been paid to write in some capacity for nearly twenty years now, and what I have learned is that Ernest Hemingway was right: "The only kind of writing is rewriting." Nobody gets it right on the first try, and if they do, that's really just a fluke. I've been working on a novel for several years and am nearly finished, and the process has felt like drilling into the earth. The first draft was chiseling through rock, and with each subsequent draft, I get closer to the center of the earth, where the truest version of the story lives. The only difference between published writers and everybody else is a dogged willingness to try, try, and try again until you get it right.
To stay true to the story and where it takes you. To listen to it - writing is as much about hearing as it is about writing/exploring -seeing the sentences and utterances appear before you. Do they ring true? Hit you in the gut? Do they conjure up in your mind, and hopefully the readers’, exactly what you want to say and imagine? Read and re-read, become obsessed with it till it can stand alone. Then put it on a boat ??? and set it free for others to receive.
To write a good story, make interesting characters with their own special qualities, have a captivating plot with surprises, and use words that paint clear pictures. Make sure the story feels real by putting emotions into it and letting readers feel connected to the characters. Instead of just saying things, show them happening to make the story more lively. When you're fixing and improving your story, take breaks to see it with fresh eyes, read it out loud to catch mistakes, and check that everything makes sense. Keep the characters consistent, fix grammar mistakes, and ask others for feedback. Remember, writing is a process, so be patient and willing to make your story better.
Don't be scared to rewrite large portions of the story if it requires it. Sometimes while writing, the narrative has a way of taking a life of its own so that despite our best efforts, there are discrepancies between what we just wrote, and what the narrative spoke about earlier. In these cases, be ruthless with your editing. Make sure you check your entire story from a consistency perspective, once you have written it, and make edits as and when needed.
Before hitting the publish button, you must read, review, and edit the story. This includes the structure, style, grammar, content, language, message and more. Another best practice is to share the story with some colleagues to gather feedback before moving forward.
Honesty. When delving into the great classics, you'll discover that they all have this one quality in common. So, why isn't this emphasized in textbooks as a storytelling technique? The answer is simple. You can't teach it. However, you can certainly uncover it.
In a world awash in outpourings and narratives and storytelling and easy publishing and low attention spans and lots of forgettable writing, there are a few questions to ask first, before getting into the toolkit— What do I want to say To whom do I want to say it Why do I want to say it Is a story the best way to say it And then hard, long, consistent work.
Good writing takes time, and flashes of inspiration are overrated. No one expects an artist to paint a masterpiece, in a flash of inspiration. Like any other form of expression, writing also requires coming up with a plan and leveraging either your own experience, someone else's expertise, or both, to bring the plan to life. Make peace with the need for revisions and consistent efforts to create something which is not merely readable, but a pleasure to read. You will witness a significant improvement in the quality of output.
Give your stories some punch: 1. Lead with the outcome: ? “I'm so excited to launch my newsletter.” ? “With weekly storytelling scoop in your inbox, It’s everything you need to write high-converting stories.” 2. Solve one specific problem: ? “3 reasons why storytelling is important for your business.” ? “How to spice up your storytelling and 10x your business.” 3. Use emotions to sell: ? “We sell organic yoga mats.” ? “You don’t need a yoga mat to practice. But you do choose one, make it good.” --- Write a lot. Tell your story. Take people on a mission.
Making it relatable - At least one character in our story should be relatable. If not, the readers/ listeners/ viewers will find it difficult to connect with the story & might not consider finishing the book (movie, series, podcast or whatever medium). Our story should evoke some sort of emotion, be it sympathy, envy, hatred, sorrow, joy, thrill or fright. It'll be interesting to have characters of varying natures but if the reader feels alienated because he/ she cannot feel any kind of emotion towards anything or anybody, the story will never work, no matter how much effort we put in.