How to write a compelling story

Start your story with action--some event needs to be going on. This grabs the attention of readers.

Suspend the greater points of the story for later and make interesting events before the important parts. Early events must grab the attention, yet be subtle enough to keep the reader's attention. Don't give away everything at once.

Write about what you know or have experienced. If you are really knowledgeable about a topic as well as passionate about it, it helps a lot. In this case, have fun while you write.

Write your story in drafts. Start your story with the determination of finishing it. Write as though you are making no mistakes, although you know you are, and don't stop writing till you finish the first draft. While you write, keep notes of ideas and keep them all, even if they seem stupid; you may find a use for them later. After your first draft, do a second draft to fix mistakes and fill out the story with more details and parts. Take as many drafts as you need to get the story right. If it only takes 3 drafts that's good but you can make up to 15 or more revisions if that's what it takes.

Finishing your story: tie up loose ends and explain as much as possible before the story ends to satisfy the curiosity of the reader. Of course, you don't always have to tie up all the loose plot threads, because sometimes these make for a good ending when it counts.

Don't try too hard to sound intelligent with too many 1000-dollar words. For example, if you wanted to use the word 'defibrillator,' or some other big word, you can. We simply encourage you to use discretion and think about what you would expect. Your ability to tell a story is the most important thing.

Character formation is important. Give your readers the feeling that they could be one of the characters in your story.

None of these rules are set in stone. You can either use them or not. At Wyndz.com, you can make up your own rules and get away with it.

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