Last week I offered you a list of the 10+ things I learned at the 2011 RWA Conference. One item in particular, the six magic words, interested many readers. So much so that you tweeted, reposted, left comments and wanted to know what those magic words are.
Susan Elizabeth Phillips did an entire workshop on the Six Magic Words that lead to publishing success… keep the reader in the story! Just how do you invite our reader into our world? And, more importantly, keep them there?
We want to grab our reader’s attention from the beginning and keep them reading until the end and possibly beyond. Have you ever read a book and dreaded finishing because you would have to leave the characters behind? I know I’ve read books like that and those are the types of books I want to write.
Here are a few tips I’ve gathered from a number of authorities some from workshops, on line classes, blogs, critique partners, and my editor.
- Hook Them
A narrative hook is a literary technique that gets, and keeps, the reader’s attention. You want to keep the reader wondering what the consequences of the action will be. Placed strategically, the opening or the end of a scene or chapter, it keeps the reader wanting more. Isn’t that what you want?
For example:
“I’ve heard Lord Walling has depraved appetites in the bedroom.”
From Tina Gabrielle’s – The Perfect Scandal
- Keep Narrative to a Minimum
I’ve read novels with pages and pages of narrative. No action. No dialogue. The story just goes on with pages of description that’s not very exciting. While there is a place for passages like this, they should be kept to a minimum.
My example here would be the first draft of the opening of my book. I naively opened with a lengthy description of forest. Go ahead and giggle. It was pretty much “… a dark and stormy day…” Cris Anson, Anne Walradt and Lisa Verge Higgins had all they could do to not laughing. It still opens in a forest, but only a few sentences, rather than pages, describe it. It goes right into a fight scene. Thank you ladies!
- Back up Dialogue with Gestures and Movements
Dialogue without any activity is boring. Gestures and movements adds color to the story and characters. What are your characters doing? What are they holding? How are they gesturing? This helps the reader visualize the scene and gets them involved in it.
For example:
Words crowded to the tip of her tongue, but they made no sense. She drained the cup in one long, desperate gulp, hoping to clear her befuddled mind. “Galactic Standard.”” Both hands curled around the empty cup in her lap. “We’re speaking the Galactic Standard.”
- Involve All the Senses
Readers want to escape, they want to experience what the characters experience. That includes all aspects of the scene. Not just one sense, but as many as possible. The more sensory perception you build into your story the richer the experience, the more involved the reader.
For example:
The air was crisp and ripe with the scents of battle. The metallic odor of blood wafted in the morning fog. The smell of the dead and the living intermingled to create an aroma that can only come after fierce warfare. Whoops and hollers echoed across the fields from the victorious men. Groans of pain drifted in the wind.
From Eliza Knight’s – A Lady’s Charade
- Use Action Words
Verbs energize. An action verb generates more drama and emotion than a noun, adjective or adverb of similar meaning. Use vivid verbs, powerful verbs, to ignite the action, paint word-pictures, and evoke feelings in your readers. Use verbs that show the activity and serve to paint that vivid memorable picture in the reader’s mind about what is occurring in the story.
For example:
I should not have stayed away from the Manor so long. Something stirs. Lord Arik’s eyes swept the surrounding area as he and his three riders escorted the wagon with the old tinker and the woman. They sped through the forest as fast as the rain slicked trail would allow. Unable to shake the ominous feeling that someone watched them, Arik remained alert. At length, the horses winded, he slowed the pace as they neared the Stone River.
From Ruth A. Casie’s – Knight of Runes
- Well rounded characters
The main characters in your story should be as well rounded as possible. Avoid using “stock characters” that are predictable and un-interesting. If a reader can predict what a character is going to do throughout the story, then the character is too flat and needs some rounding out. Characters move the plot, they make things interesting, and, above all, it’s with whom readers identify. To do all that, it is vital that writers create living, breathing story people. From protagonist to sidekick to villain to the minor characters who round out your story, writers must imagine and illustrate people with a variety of traits and features, and if you don’t differentiate well, the story won’t work.
It comes down to show don’t tell. Telling communicates facts while showing invites understanding. Telling your reader the facts does not make the experience theirs. Having them live the story, showing them how to live the story, makes it a part of them they will never forget. Isn’t that what good storytelling is all about?
These are in no way the only ways to keep your reader in your story. Please share your ideas with me, examples if you like. I would love to grow this list.
excellant examples,well done.
betty carlton
This is by far the best road map to successful writing I have ever read – and that it's the short version makes it extremely valuable. I'm printing this one and posting it above my computer.
Love this blog, Ruth!! Am committing it to memory and have shared the link with many author friends.
BTW, YOU WON THE EARRINGS!!! in my contest. Please send me your address so I can send them off to you. Email it to me at sunnydaysbook@gmail.com. Congratulations!!
@Jean
I'm glad you liked the post. It was great researching the examples. I'm delighted to have won the earrings. I'll contact you off line.
Enjoy the day!
… Ruth
@kayspringsteen
I'm glad you found this so helpful. I'm honored to have the post sit next to your computer.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
… Ruth
@Betty
Thanks for reading the post and making a comment. I appreciate your support.
… Ruth
Excellent post for a writer at any level -cause we ALL need reminding of what works and doesn't work every time.
🙂
Loved the post and much needed reminders. Sometimes we forget that something simple can make a difference. I said simple, not easy.
Thank you for all the great examples.
You tease! You were saving this wonderful info for your next blog, and it was great. Thank you so much for sharing, and also for a glimpse into some more enjoyable stories we can add to our libraries. I enjoyed another tidbit from your story. I miss Arik. Can't wait for your book's release. Thanks again, girl.
Wonderful post! Thanks for reporting back from Nationals and giving us this info. It's all stuff we know…but it's oh so easy to forget! Great examples too!
Great post, Ruth. I know i need reminders like these! 😀
Love the post AND the blog Ruth! Thanks for posting it on the RWA yahoo group! I'm adding you to my blog list 🙂
Another excellent round-up, Ruth! Thanks for sharing this!
Joanna Aislinn
Dream. Believe. Strive. Achieve!
NO MATTER WHY
The Wild Rose Press
http://www.joannaaislinn.com
http://www.joannaaislinn.wordpress.com
@Maeve
Yes, we need reminders. I had a few 'aha' moments when I reviewed the information.
Thanks for leaving a comment.
… Ruth
@Joanna Aislinn
I'm glad you liked the post. Thanks for stopping by.
… Ruth
@kerrimaniscalco
Thanks so much for your comment and adding my blog to your list.
… Ruth
@Gerri Bowen
We all can use reminders. I had some 'aha' moments while putting this post together and made notes on my WIP,
Thanks for commenting.
… Ruth
@Maria Andreas
I'm glad you liked the reminder. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
… Ruth
@J. Coleman
Joelene – I know I sometimes forget or maybe it's just bad habits. I find I go back to my notes from Eliza's class too. I get so caught up in the story that I miss the craft issues.
I'm glad you found the reminder helpful.
… Ruth
@Sandy L. Rowland
I got it! Simple not easy. I certainly agree with you there. Thanks for reading the blog and leaving a comment.
… Ruth
Thanks Ruth — everything I need to be reminded of constantly.
I do think the "keep narrative to a minimum" is funny, when you think about lots of classics…whoa! So much description!
@Amy Kennedy
That explains it! I love the classics and that is what my first draft sounded like. I blushed when I found out what purple prose meant. It was my writing!
Thanks for stopping by.
… Ruth
Great post Ruth, and I also have to add we all need reminding of this from time to time. Like attorneys and physicians need so many hours of learning to be able to keep their licenses and practice, we as writers need the same input. Thanks, this is good stuff.
Ronnie
@Veronica L. Singleton
Ronnie, thanks. It seems so simple but when you are into the writing some of these techniques are easily overlooked.
Thanks for stopping by.
… Ruth
Great post, Ruth!
I had a critique partner once tell me that I needed more narrative. I left her behind in a hurry because I tend to prefer dialogue and action. Since I hate page after page of narrative, I try to stay away from it when I write.
Hey, I didn't giggle at your "dark & stormy night" opening when you told me. I did smile though. Haven't we all been there?
Hi Ruth, I had the pleasure of attending Susan Elizabeth Phillips "Six Magic Words" workshop in Orlando last year for RWA 10. It was wonderful. Thanks for posting reminders about it and other great information.
@MJ Liming / Monique Parrett
I'm glad you liked the reminder and found the other information useful.
Thank you so much for leaving a comment.
… Ruth
@Denise Pattison
Funny you mention suggestions from others. In going through edits with my editor, she's suggesting I put things in that I originally took out. It made me realize that I had been on the right track all along.
Thanks for stopping by.
… Ruth
Great list! Thanks for sharing with those of us who couldn't make Nationals.
@Tam Linsey
I'm glad you found the list helpful. Thanks for taking time to comment.
…Ruth
I love this list Ruth. I think we all, writers, try to achieve these goals but it's not easy to accomplish. Well said. Thanks for the peeks into other stories! I can't think of anything at the moment to add to it, but that's a good thing. I think.
@Calisa Rhose
I'm glad you liked the list. I too find it difficult to keep this all in my mind when I write. Thanks for stopping by.
… Ruth
Clear and concise with apt examples. Thank you, Ruth. Now I know shy my novel keeps getting rejected; I open with a long description, no action.
@Sandy
That doesn't mean the description isn't good. Lisa Verge Higgins was one of the first to read my first 10 pages. She was more than kind about the 'dark and stormy night' thing but she was emphatic that I not lose the text. She said it was well written and was in the wrong place.
When I did my edits I sent her the results. She loved how I repositioned the text.
It's a long process. I don't think I'll ever learn it all.
Thanks so much for reading my post and leaving a comment.
… Ruth
Great blog, Ruth. There's so much we have to keepin mind while writing and the only way is to do it and do it until all this above becomes second nature. To me dialoge srings first to my mind then I flesh the scene out with action, thoughts and emotions. I find that works, if I try to do it any other way, I'm stuck.
@Firetulip
I think there are many roads to a great story. We each chose what works for us. Mine is the setting. I see it as clearly as if I was watching a movie. Then I watch the action unfold and try to document it.
What's even more fun is when I back it up and have my characters do something totally different. Sometimes they look at me and say, "You must be kidding! I would never say/do that." Sometimes they win, sometimes I win.
Thanks for stopping by.
… Ruth
Excellent post Ruth! Thank you for sharing it. I missed Jennifer Crusie's workshop at Nationals and you've given succinct and well-written recap of her advice.
@Pamela Knight
I'm sorry you missed Jennifer Crusie. She as the special speaker two years ago at the NJRW Conference and she was wonderful!
I'm glad my post was helpful. Thank you for commenting.
Excellent post Ruth!!! I've been to Susan's workshop before, she is phenomenal! Thanks for sharing the wisdom (and for the sharing my book! I love that scene.)
Hugs!
Eliza
@Eliza Knight
I enjoyed putting this post together and researching examples. I'm glad I could use one from your wonderful story.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
… Ruth
What an excellent post! Loved the details you give from actual books. That's so helpful!
@Anita Grace Howard
It was fun going through books and looking for examples. I had to stop myself from reading them and finish the post!
Thanks for taking time to leave a comment.
… Ruth