Tips for Writing Your Book
Ideas to get you writing.
Your 1st chapter should show who is your main character, their goal and the setting. Start as close to the action as possible.
Hook your reader-Have you ever started a new book and couldn’t put it down? You were hooked. Your opening paragraph and first page need a hook to keep the reader interested. Readers are drawn to feelings and emotion.
Help your reader ’see’ the images in your story. Use your 5 senses when showing.
Telling=Jim was cold
Showing= Jim tightened his scarf around his neck.
Every scene someone needs a goal. Don’t let your characters wander through your story with no goal.Give your protagonist, or main character, a problem that will lead to a goal. Put obstacles in their way. What are the consequences of failure?
The antagonist, or bad guy, opposes the protagonist. There are 3 antagonist: man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. self. The stronger your antagonist, the stronger your story.
End each chapter with a hook or a plot complication.
Your first sentence sells your book. Your last sentence sells the next book.
Above all else, trust your instincts. This is your story. You know it best. Write what you want to write.
Other articles you might enjoy:
Which Agent is Right For Me and My Book?
Where Do You Start Your Book or Story?
Writing the External in Your Characters
Image by Martin Kingsley via Flickr
Liked it
Click the icon to the left to subscribe to Writinghood with your favorite RSS reader.
