For every writer, there’s a method. But there are only a few rules that can make you a better storyteller.
Do you want to learn one that will instantly make your writing more interesting? Keep reading.
Stories need to feel like they’re really happening. A reader, even though they don’t know it, can get tired very easily.
A key to keeping them invested in your tale is to make it feel like there’s energy bursting off the page.
Oh sure, some writers do that by writing action-packed stories. Their books race along at a breakneck pace.
But what if that’s not what you’re writing? And even if it is, even the most “exciting” stories need to take a break now and then.
No, the real way to infuse energy into your stories has nothing to do with the type of content, but how you present it.
Check this out. What sounds better?
Silas was thrown into the wall by the ghost.
Or
The ghost threw Silas into the wall.
Both sentences tell us the same thing. But the second sounds better by far.
The phrase “was thrown” makes it sound like it happened a long time ago. The second sentence puts the object first, making it feel more active—like its happening as we read it (even though it’s still written in the past tense).
This simple approach keeps a story fluid. There’s energy to what you’re writing. And that helps the reader feel more comfortable as they read.
It’s subtle. You might not think it makes an impact, but it does. Especially if you plan on writing a 50,000+ word manuscript!
Keep this in mind the next time you write. And if you’re editing your work, definitely make this change.