How to Write a Story That Doesn't Suck

Sticking to the Format -- Catching Attention

THIS CHAPTER IS MOSTLY FOR NOVELISTS ONLY

This chapter will have three sections which you can navigate depending on your needs:

P1- Paragraphs

P2- Titles

P3- Chapter Titles

P4- Creating a Synopsis

Part 1: Paragraphs

Yes, we are still sticking to the formalities of writing before we get into the fun stuff. This is important!

No one wants to read your story if it's just ONE GIANT CHUNK OF WORDS. You need paragraphs, they make it easy on the eyes, comfortable to read, make what's going on more sensible and less confusing, and allow for you to control the time and pacing of your story.

Change the paragraph when...:

-Your imaginary camera moves.

Ex: She couldn't help but wonder why he had brought her there. The trek up the mountain was long and tiring yet he never explained why they were there.  He just held her hands and told her to trust him.  When they finally reached the top, she was stunned.

Before her was a large elegant open valley full of wonderful and exotic creatures. *Insert descriptive paragraph.*

-A new character shows up.

-Someone speaks (difference character speaking? Different paragraph)

-Something new is introduced.

-Time skips, flashbacks, character is telling a story, dreams, change to a different character in a different location, etc. (also for dreams or flashbacks, a lot of authors like to use italics. But this isn't necessary.)

-Setting or mood changes

-USE FOR DRAMATIC FLARE. Be a god.

I know I'm not the only one bothered by hunks of just infinitely long paragraphs that never break.  They're bothersome to read. They're a huge turn off. I mean, you could have the most original, incredible idea thats worthy of being a best seller but if you very first page has a huge paragraph, no one will turn that page.

I know your English teacher told you that paragraphs HAVE to be five sentences long but this is a lie. Sparingly, you can use a paragraph that is one sentence. This is for drama, if you really want something to sink in. Sometimes you can use it for humor as well.

On the English teacher note, I know you were taught to do a double space after every period. But that is for scholastic essays and MLA formatting. For writing a book, you only use one space.

Part Two: Creating a title for your work

Titles are important and quite frankly, not what I'm very good at. I mean, literally, I named my book "Land of Armonia." To me, that's basic. It tells you nothing about my story.

But finding a title for your book it incredibly important. Other than the fact that it's required to have a name if you want it published, titles get you readers. Need me to repeat it? TITLES GET YOU READERS!

If it's really bland and cliche, people simply won't be interested in it. I mean, what are you going to be more intrigued in? Something titled "Into the Beyond" or "Witches, Dogs, and a Murder of Crows". Without a doubt, the second one is more intriguing. Mostly because it's eye catching because of how bizarre it is.  While it is long for a title, it does a better job than the first option. But what if they were the same story? One title change could get you hundreds of more readers if you can do it right.