Writing Tips that will take your story to the next level!
Ever felt like you don't know where your story is going? Ever had any doubts about the quality of your story (or even your ability as a writer)? Ever thought that something was missing from your story but didn't quite know what that something was? Here's your chance to learn how to improve your writing. Ten fresh writing tips, which I didn't make up but borrowed from other experts and tailored them to the purposes of my own writing. Enjoy!
Stories are about a character who wants something. Whether it is to kill a bad guy, to save the world or simply get a promotion, there has to be some kind of thing that he wants and will do anything to get it. This thing, my fellow writers, is the story goal.
As we would all agree, nobody wants a character who is one-dimensioal. Readers want complex, complicated, full of contradictions kind of characters. There are many tricks to achieve this multi-personality and one of these is his goal. The character starts out wanting something. Then, he does whatever he can to gain it. And in the end, he either gets it or loses it.
His goal may not necessarily be the perfect thing for him. Maybe he wants to marry that girl next door but when it comes down to it, what he really needs is to leave his house and travel the world. Maybe he wants to marry the girl to live new experiences but this medium is not the best, while travelling the world will offer him just what he needs in his life to be full.
However, in other stories, his goal is what he needs...but not exactly. It may be some ramification of another goal or it may simply be a way to achieve another goal. Whatever you choose, make sure it's integral to the needs of your story.
For example, let's take the classic book Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronté. What's Jane's goal? To marry Mr Rochester. But is this goal the thing she needs? Nope. What she realy needs, is to be independent, to be free. In the end, she achieves her goal. But this comes ONLY AFTER she's got the thing she needs: freedom.
Bear this in mind when planning for your next story. If you find your character wanting nothing and just strolling through the story smiling happily, then maybe you need to change things up a bit. Add a goal and you add depth.
As we would all agree, nobody wants a character who is one-dimensioal. Readers want complex, complicated, full of contradictions kind of characters. There are many tricks to achieve this multi-personality and one of these is his goal. The character starts out wanting something. Then, he does whatever he can to gain it. And in the end, he either gets it or loses it.
His goal may not necessarily be the perfect thing for him. Maybe he wants to marry that girl next door but when it comes down to it, what he really needs is to leave his house and travel the world. Maybe he wants to marry the girl to live new experiences but this medium is not the best, while travelling the world will offer him just what he needs in his life to be full.
However, in other stories, his goal is what he needs...but not exactly. It may be some ramification of another goal or it may simply be a way to achieve another goal. Whatever you choose, make sure it's integral to the needs of your story.
For example, let's take the classic book Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronté. What's Jane's goal? To marry Mr Rochester. But is this goal the thing she needs? Nope. What she realy needs, is to be independent, to be free. In the end, she achieves her goal. But this comes ONLY AFTER she's got the thing she needs: freedom.
Bear this in mind when planning for your next story. If you find your character wanting nothing and just strolling through the story smiling happily, then maybe you need to change things up a bit. Add a goal and you add depth.
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This is very helpful! It had some very accurate points as well. ^_^
I am so happy to hear it was helpful to you!
Maybe.. I'll check it out. Thanks! :)
Hmm well whoever made it must have deleted it.
From your description is sounds like you're talking about Alexis117's writing tip story. :)
Hmm. Yeah it was about writing tips, and the first chapter was about characters..
Well, I haven't made any other post similar to this xD
I feel like you made another one of these and I commented on it too. But I can't find it. Its not in my Taken. And it's not favourites. And I put in favourites. Did you make something like this and delete it after?
I feel like I've seen your comment on one of my works recently, but can't remember which exactly. I haven't deleted anything lately so it may be on another post.
Actually, Hans hinted in the smallest of ways by saying
(SPOILER)
"I've been searching my whole life to find my own place"
(END OF SPOILER)
But I didn't pick up on that until after and it was the subtlest of hints just suggesting that
(SPOILER) he was in it for the castle and power rather than her (END OF SPOILER)
but that's it and Disney is the evil-est of evils for doing such a thing
Woo, this actually meant that? That's so subtle! Thanks for pointing it out :)
Ikr, I hadn't originally thought of it but one of my friends showed me and it suddenly made a lot of sense! No problem, thanks for being so nice about it! :D
That's very clever, indeed. You're welcome :D
Huh, oh yeah...I remember now. D: Oh well, whatever floats your boat.
Yeah, I'm afraid it has a lot of in-app purchases! I hate how it's not fre either, but it's a take-it-or-leave-it thing. I liked it enough to buy stuff from Voltage Inc. I actually haven't bought anything from OTBS yet...they have a sale for season 1, I'm hoping they release the last story of Tsumugu Kido - apparently his route is really good - so that I can get a discount. :) I won't force you, but you should try a bit.
I agree, these are the elementary things. The next thing would be the setting, rising tension, climax and resolution or finale - that slope diagram thing that is found in like, EVERY story you'll ever read. Maybe you should write some stories? :D
Have you taken my latest quiz yet? It's called "Which Voltage Inc. Game is For You?" - it has no feedback and it hurts my pride. Cx So, would you please give me your opinion on it and comment on it? I'd appreciate that immensely.
Thank you very much for your suggestions. Yeah, indeed. I only write in Greek, sorry xD
I've taken your quiz and commented, I really liked it. And I actually downloaded the game it suggested. It was so much fun! But after episode 1, it requires paying so I didn't continue.
This helped a lot!! You know exactly what you're talking about and you explained it very clearly ;)
You should do story/character critiques! Can you please read my story "Tied To a Stake of Morality" and tell me exactly what you think? Thanks!!
Aww, thank you so much :') I'm glad you like them.
Of course I'll read it and comment. As I am quite busy though, don't expect it to be too soon xD
I actually really like this! Wasn't expecting something of this caliber at all - the chapter on goals has just solved some of my story issues! And backstory - this is why my first chapters are so dry. Thanks very much - I'll be on the lookout for your updates!
I'm so glad you found my tips helpful! Thank you very much. Happy writing :D