Let’s be honest: Readers are smart. And, more often than not, they can sense when a plot point is on its way. The tried-and-true plot structure that has done so much good for creating consistently well-written stories can also be a huge detriment to plot twists. Whether or not you’re great at disguising your plot…
Everyone knows what makes an exciting story: throwing impossibly difficult hurdles at your protagonists! Some plot structures consist of nothing more than watching characters struggle with increasingly difficult challenges. And this can create some very interesting character moments! But although it’s fascinating to watch your characters grapple with challenges while balanced atop high stakes, that…
Characters are the core of every story. Recently, I read a book that reminded me just how much value well-written characters add to a book. Although the plot was cringy, the ending was predictable, and the author couldn’t help patting his protagonist on the back (over and over again), I enjoyed the book for its…
I love when all the pieces of the puzzle seem to fall into place in the last few minutes of a movie. An off-hand comment about an arbitrary topic turns out to be the missing piece of a broken world (The Map of Tiny Perfect Things), or a humorous line by a cartoon character turns…
Everyone knows a story is supposed to end with “happily ever after.” And after putting your characters through some of the most traumatic events of their lives, it can be hard not to reward them. I mean, who doesn’t want a happy ending? But not all stories are fairy tales. And there can be dangers…
Character development can be so difficult to maintain. It is easy to highlight flaws and areas of growth in your characters throughout the first few pages. But after the action-packed plot takes over and an exciting series of events plunges your characters (and hopefully your readers) headlong into an amazing story, character development can get…
The more I read, the more convinced I become that the single biggest factor for creating relatable characters is desire. More than having a fear or a goal or a fun personality, once you understand a character’s desire, every action becomes clear, and each plot point has a special meaning. It impacts the characters (and…
Mysteries are some of my favorite forms of storytelling. From a web of connections to breathtaking intrigue and mysterious symbols, the best mysteries use suspense to keep readers on the edge of their seats for hundreds of pages at a time. But not all mysteries do. Many follow the predictable who-dunnit routine, with several innocent…
Some of the best villains in fiction are those that are both ruthlessly evil while also being understandable. While the motivations of awesome villains like Umbridge remain a mystery, some of the most powerful villains can be those that we understand — that might even mirror our own motivations — while also being recognized as…
Cliches are the bane of every young writer’s story. We’ve all had moments while enthusiastically writing when we come to a screeching halt and realize that this character we’ve poured so much time and energy into is actually just the cliche everyone’s heard about a dozen times before. Combing through pages of story plans (if…