Hi all! It’s April, spring is here….I’m just saying it is because here in Georgia we went from hiking in snow flurries one morning to sitting outside in 70 degrees the next afternoon. So maybe if we just call spring out, it will come. For good! No more cold. :)
I had the honor of speaking at a writer’s group this last week. A great group of Christian authors. We talked about storytelling and how powerful it is. I talked about how some of my favorite authors are simply great storytellers. You can write the perfect story, grammatically correct, no comma mistakes, but if you don’t know how to tell a story, people won’t connect. I’ve read so many contest entries that were technically perfect, but they lacked story.
We talked about what made up a great story. How writers need to connect with readers. If there is no relatability to the characters and their situations, the reader won’t make it past the first chapter. We brought out 5 elements that make a great story.
- Empathy—writers create a situation where we can relate to the hero or heroine. Even if their particular situation isn’t one you’ve been through, usually there are general elements that relate. In the story I just finished writing my heroine comes back after 24 years to tell her ex high school sweetheart that he has a son. The son has been in an accident, and is physically fine, but mentally has lost his zest for life. Can’t we all relate to wanting our loved ones to be the best they can be?
- Problems—Yes, there are problems that create conflict between the characters. In my book the problems abound, but suffice it to say the hero and heroine are working together to solve more than one of them.
- Solutions–although mostly temporary—Yes, there has to be a rest for the reader and the characters alike. So we have solutions, even though they aren’t long term to give the reader a chance to breath and the characters a chance to relax slightly. (just slightly, though)
- Black moment—This is it—all is lost! The moment when their past hurts and circumstances come full circle and everything seems lost. Of course this moment should be believable and real.
- Happy Ending–for romances, a must Yes, this is where we see the hero and heroine grow and put to use the changes they learned in their journey.
Depending on how long your story is, you may have more problems and temporary solutions cycling through, or those same elements for subplots and minor characters. But in all these elements, there must be a compelling story. Usually, if a writer chooses to write a story, they have some personal connection in some way to the tale. They add their uniqueness and originality which makes the story theirs and only they could have written it that way.
I think most writers have a natural gift for storytelling. It’s what drives us to put the words on the page. I know I have my fav authors–and I know when I pick up their books, they will tell the story well.
Do you recognize any of those 5 elements in the books you read? I’d love to hear about what your favorite elements of story are. I know we all like happy endings? Don’t we?
We’re heading into my favorite day of the year, Easter. What a wonderful day! Enjoy, love well, and rejoice in our Savior!
USA Today featured author Lindi Peterson lives in north Georgia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and a lively array of cats, dogs and birds. She loves sharing life with her family and friends. Her passion for reading led her to writing, and then God spoke words of love into her heart and changed her life forever.
Problems tend to make a story.
It’s funny how the opposite of a well written but poorly narrated story are many popular stories from platforms like wattpad: poorly written grammatically but well narrated that keep people interested.
In the long term, what attracts the most is the narration, the author’s technique should make you interested in the story.
I like to see how characters resolve their difficulties, and if they’re opposites, how they relate to each other through those differences. And, yes, a HEA is a MUST!!
Don’t you know it. :)
I agree. And the audio book industry is amazing. I don’t listen to many audio books, but I’ve heard many stories about how the narrator can make or break that book.
Trudy—Hea is a must! I do love a good opposite attracts novel. Kind of working on one of those now. :)
Of course the happily-ever-after is one of my favorite parts….where the hero & heroine fall in love, get married or at least have the promise of a future marriage (not too long please, lol).
And yes, I recognize all five elements in the stories I read. I think for me, and as strange as it may sound, the black moment is one I dread seeing but at the same time I want to see. Because I want to see how the characters handle that moment & what they do to get past it or overcome whatever difficulty it may be. That’s the character growth I love to see…even as painful as it is to watch them go through. As an avid reader of Christian fiction, when those black moments come, I want to see the characters rely on God to help them because that’s the only way to handle those problems in my mind. Yes, problems come but we serve a God who has overcome the worlds problems & is with us every step of the way guiding us. Character growth in Christ is my favorite :-)
I hope this all makes sense! Empathy for the characters I come to love is very real in the black moment. There have been stories that just gut me & I have been known to ugly cry (alone, of course). But wow, seeing how God works it all out so perfectly in His own way is SO worth it! :-)
Trudy—I know exactly what you mean. I love the happy endings of course, and the black moment has so many layers. Thank you so much for your input.
I think I enjoy empathy the most. It’s the one thing that makes reading so fascinating, allowing the reader to connect to the characters and what they’re going through, no matter where in the world (or even which genre) they are.
I hope you have a blessed Easter. :)
Hi, yes I recognize them from books that I have read and they all make for a very good story. Problems and solutions are always good to read about. Thank you for sharing this, I enjoyed this post. Have a Happy and Blessed Easter.
As you point them out, yes. When I read a story, I just want to escape and not take apart a story. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I recognize these but I don’t really analyze a story while I’m reading. I just escape for awhile and enjoy the journey.
needs #5
Love to see problems & them solved in books with happy endings
Love series with happy endings
Priscila–Happy Easter!! And thank you for your input. As a writer, I love figuring out what that empathy part looks like.
Alicia–Thank you. Happy Easter to you and your family!
Debra—yes! Dissecting is for after you have finished. Thank you for mentioning that. Happy Easter.
Lucy–You and Debra are spot on. :) When I do a final read through on a book that I’ve finished, I like for look back and make sure they are there—but not notice them while I’m reading. But the first read through, I usually notice because I write a really slim first draft. Happy Easter.
Yes! I agree. :) Happy Easter.
Amy—I like subplots with problems, too. :) Adds more conflict to the book.
Sylvain—happy endings are absolutely a must!