𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 & 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬

ten ways to hit your reader in the gut

One of the strongest bonds that link us to our favorite stories is the emotional tie, or the books that sink a fist right into our guts.

When you finish a book and you can't seem to let go of the last page, chances are, the author successfully punched you in the spleen.

If you've ever wondered how to do just that, here are a few methods:

1. Make your reader root for your main character(s). Make your character stretch our their arm toward their goal, as far as they can to reach, until their fingertips barely brush it. Make your character want it so much that your reader wants it, too.

2. When your character trips and stumbles and stops to question themselves, the readers will hold their breath.

3. Push your character to their very limit, and then a little further.

4. When your character hits the bottom, they should scrape themselves back together and get back up.

5. If your character is challenging your plot, your plot should challenge your character.

6. Leave a trail of intrigue, of questions, of "what if" and "what next?"

7. If a character loses something, they must eventually gain something in equal exchange, whether for good or bad.

8. Raise the stakes. Then raise them higher.

9. Don't feel pressured to kill a character (especially simply generate emotional appeal). A character death should serve the plot, not the factor. Like anything else in your story, only do it if it must be done and there's no other way around it.

10. What's the worst that can happen? Make it happen. Just don't let the reader lose hope.

Happy writing!
( a.k.a stabbing your readers in the gut.)