When I have time to watch television, one of my favorite
shows is Home Makeover. They select a family or a person with a desperate need
for a more functional space. Each family member is interviewed, and then the
workers set out to make their dreams come true.
Part of the fun includes sending the family off on a
vacation. The host contacts them a few times and feeds them small progress
reports. The many special surprises and meaningful touches on the house are
reserved for the big reveal at the end of the show.
These folks know how to tell a compelling story. Our stories
can achieve the same effect by:
1) Raising questions
in the reader's mind.
2) Resisting the urge
to tell the character's history in the first 30-60 pages.
3) Revealing
backstory in bite-sized pieces rather than expecting the reader to swallow the
character's motivations like an entire steak.
By the end of our book, the reader will be looking forward
to "the big reveal" and anticipating our next adventure.
Writers: How do you
keep the reader engaged in your story world?
Readers: What keeps
you turning the pages?
Photo Credit: sundesigns
4 comments:
One thing that keeps me turning pages is good writing. I want to care about the characters and be immersed in the story. A little suspense never hurts either. Had all of the above and more in a book I recently read for review. Good question!
Happy writing,
Karen
Tension is a big key.
Those shows do know how to keep you watching. Even when I don't want to, I am compelled to watch until the end. You're right, the big reveal is the payoff.
The character has to be someone worth going on an adventure with!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
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