How to Make Your Writing “Unputdownable”

“Unputdownable”, a word coveted by many writers, yet achieved by few. Some writers, such as James Patterson, use literary devices that keeps readers glued to the page. Here are a few of them.

Short Chapters:

Ever thought to yourself when reading a book “One more chapter”, and then you find that chapter so short you say “Just one more”? Well before you know it, you’re done with your book. It’s an excellent technique to keep people reading. Chapters can really be as short as two or three pages and still be considered a chapter.

Cliff Hangers:

Who doesn’t want to resolve a cliff hanger? Whether you just want people to read to the next chapter, or to go out and buy a sequel, cliff hangers are an excellent way to get people involved in your story.

E.g.

Andrew gripped the cliff with his fingers, a rock tumbling out from beneath his foot. He was so close to the top, just a few more feet. He reached up and grabbed onto a handhold, only to feel it slide off the face of the cliff, causing Andrew to tumble back off the cliff. He knew he was almost a thousand feet off the ground, and figured there was no way he could survive a fall of that height. He closed his eyes tight and thought of the only thing that could save him, his equipment.

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(To Be Continued)

I don’t know about you, but I wanted to see that resolve. Would you have kept reading? I would have. Just to not leave you with a feeling of unresolved issues, here’s the conclusion to my short story.

Suddenly, Andrew felt the rope grab the carabiner and the tension slam him into the cliff face. He never thought pain would be so welcome to him. He looked at his now mutilated hand, and figured he broke a few bones. He laughed. He was alive, injured, but alive.

Anaphora:

Anaphora? Who’s heard of that? Not many people know it by name, but it’s quite common in writing. Anaphora is the repetition of words at the beginning of a story. It’s a very effective technique to get people to read to at least a certain point in a story.

E.g.

(Beginning of Story)

James gasped for breath, he could barely breathe under the crushing weight of the man’s arms. The man still pressed down onto him, making him try to get out from under the weight. The pain was almost unbearable. He felt his vision fading, and soon, there was nothing.

(Later in the story)

He walked down the deserted boardwalk, the night playing tricks on him. Suddenly, a powerful man jumped from the shadows and pinned him to the ground by his neck. James gasped for breath, he could barely breathe under the crushing weight of the man’s arms. The man still pressed down onto him, making him try to get out from under the weight. The pain was almost unbearable. He felt his vision fading, and soon, there was nothing.

Here’s to all you aspiring writers out there, good luck to you.