One Direction Writing Guide

Part 5: Keeping Readers Interested

This is one of the hardest things to do. It's so easy for a story to just fall apart.

The key to keeping dedicated readers is to have a good plot and to move the story slowly. Your plot needs to have actual substance. There are several teeny-bopper type fiction out there - the characters meeting and falling in love.

And they get successful too. That's what makes them so attractive. But here's the thing: though there loaded with romantic angst and tension for the first five to ten chapter, it all falls apart at the first kiss. The story gets downright boring. 

"But Lily," you might be saying. "Won't it be worth it? I mean, I'll have lots of votes and fans."

I learnt this lesson the hard way. I posted a story (not on Wattpad). At first, it WAS really popular and got lots of likes and comments. Then my characters got together. And Bam. All of the likes and comments disappeared. 

How would you feel if one of your chapters had 2000 reads and then the next had 200? Pretty terrible, trust me.

Fictions like these thrive on the romantic tension and angst that defines them. When that tension is gone, they just kind of fizzle out. That's why you need a plot to be back it up.

Romance is great. Stories need love to add that extra tension. I'm not saying that dating should take a back seat, I'm just saying you need a plot to make the story matter.

Honestly, a normal girl dating Harry Styles? Exactly, where does "forbidden love" come in? I mean, some Directioners will hate your guts, but a lot will also support you. It isn't forbidden love, it's a story you're desperately trying to make interesting.

That's why a good plot is so important. 

Example: Bandnapped by xShe3Believes5x 

Bandnapped is one of the best One Direction fanfictions I've ever read. It's sweet, funny, and angsty at times and I simply love it. I'll admit, it doesn't have the most *realistic* plot, but it makes the best of it. The characters are believable, the later plot line fantastic, AND it keeps you hooked. xShe3Believes5x knows how to carry the storyline on and still keep you interested.

She has slowly been introducing new elements and feelings, but hasn't rushed through anything, something to proud of for any kind of writer.

Also, one of the things I HATE: Asking people for this or that many reads/ votes/ comments before the next update. It's annoying as well as frustrating to loyal readers having to wait for such-and-such number of comments/ votes/ reads. You'll find that more often than not, these people will simply give up on the story in disgust.

Bottom line is you write because you love writing - NOT to be famous.

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Sorry for the late update! School has just been SO busy. Anyways, to make this story go faster, I've decided to put up one update for this on Saturdays every week. I WILL try to update more often.

Also, I'm dedicating this chapter to forevermystic. Amazing writer AS WELL as a lovely person. She was sorely missed and we're all glad that she's back.

~ Lily