Storystarters: 1St Person You – One Minute to Better Writing

Let me tell you the tale of Joe Schmoe and the day his life changed forever.

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Bad writer, no Twinkie for you.  Do you know what you did wrong?

You started your story as the author speaking directly to the reader.

Yeah, yeah, I know that’s what writers do.  But really, the rule of thumb is that you should never address a comment or talk to the reader directly.  Why?  Because it makes for a weak story.  First off you are probably not writing a narrative so that means you will end up flip-flopping back and forth between styles.  And that’s bad form.  Next, since you did it once, to tell part of your story, you are likely going to do it again.  Instead of letting the story tell the reader what they need to know, you will.  Especially when it comes to any kind of moral or denouement, and the last thing a reader wants is to be lectured.  If they wanted to be lectured they would be in a classroom somewhere, or listening to a sub-par preacher in church.

And for goodness sake, don’t end your story with a debriefing where you as the author tie up any loose ends.  Let the characters, or storyline do the wrap-up.  The more invisible you are the better.

And unless it’s story, or character, or both; skip the prologue and the epilogue.  You probably don’t need it anyway.  Create story, not filler.

Now go out there and write better!