Narrative story writing is a skill that can take a lot of practice to master. Whether you’re writing fiction, non-fiction, or a narrative blog, having the right tools and techniques to craft a story that captivates your readers can be a challenge. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with seven tips for nailing the art of narrative story writing. By the end, you’ll have all the know-how you need to create stories that engage, entertain, and move your audience.
Know your audience
When it comes to writing a good story, the most important factor to consider is your audience. Before you begin writing, take some time to research who your readers are and what type of writing novel or character writing they prefer. This will help you craft a story that resonates with your readers and keeps them engaged. It’s also important to think about how the characters in your story will relate to your readers, as this will influence how they view the plot and its resolution. Knowing your audience is the key to telling a compelling story that will leave a lasting impression.
Keep it simple
One of the most important aspects of narrative story writing is to keep it simple. When writing a novel or short story, it can be tempting to add excessive details or characters, but this often detracts from the overall story. Focus on the main plot and characters, and leave out anything that doesn’t contribute to the story. This will help you craft a good story with believable characters that readers can relate to. If you have too many characters or plot points, your readers may become overwhelmed and lose interest.
When it comes to writing your characters, also strive for simplicity. Don’t focus too much on giving them too many complexities or individual traits; instead, create characters that have a few simple traits that make them interesting and compelling. This will help ensure that your readers can easily identify with your characters, making your story more enjoyable.
By keeping your writing simple and focused, you will be able to write a compelling narrative that is both engaging and entertaining. A good story is easy to follow and enjoyable to read, so don’t get bogged down in unnecessary details or overly complex plot points. Keep it simple, and your story will shine!
Use strong verbs
Using strong verbs is an important part of creating vivid and engaging narrative writing. Strong verbs give your writing the power to make your characters and their stories come alive in a reader’s mind. When you use strong verbs, your story characters gain a level of dimension and clarity that would be lacking without them.
One way to find strong verbs for your character writing is to look at synonyms for commonly used words. For example, instead of saying, “He walked,” you could say, “He ambled” or “He sauntered.” This immediately adds detail and makes your story characters more vivid.
Another way to make your character writing more descriptive is to use action verbs. Instead of simply saying your character talked, try using verbs such as “gushed,” “squawked,” or “chattered.” These are just a few of the many options available for adding detail to your narrative writing.
Using strong verbs in your character writing will not only create more interesting stories, but it will also make the stories easier to follow. When you use strong verbs, readers will have no trouble visualizing the action and picturing the story unfolding in their minds. With the right verb choice, you can truly transport them into the world of your characters.
Show, don’t tell
One of the most important aspects of narrative writing is to show, not tell. This means that instead of simply telling the reader what happened, you should strive to illustrate the scene through vivid descriptions. This can be achieved by using concrete words and imagery to paint a picture for your audience.
For example, instead of saying, “The man was angry,” you could say, “The man’s face was twisted into a snarl, his fists clenched in rage.” This will help engage the reader, drawing them into the story and allowing them to form their mental image. To practice this technique, try writing about a scene without using any adjectives or adverbs, relying solely on descriptive words to paint the picture.
Use all five senses
Using all five senses to bring your narrative to life is key. Allowing the reader to experience the scene through their senses creates a more immersive experience for them. When using the senses, try to create concrete, vivid images that the reader can easily visualize.
For instance, if you’re describing a hot summer day, use words like “oppressive heat” and “sweaty” to give the reader a feeling of what it is like to be in the environment. You can also use smells, sounds, and tastes to add depth to the narrative. Describe how the air smells of freshly cut grass or how the sound of cicadas fills the air. Use your senses to evoke emotion in your readers and draw them further into your story.
Write what you know
When writing a narrative, it’s important to draw on your own experiences. Writing from your perspective allows you to create more realistic and believable characters and settings. This can make your story much more compelling for the reader.
One way to write what you know is to tap into the emotion of your story. Think about how your protagonist might feel in the situation and then use that emotion to fuel your writing. What would your character be thinking or feeling at this moment? Remember that emotions can be strong motivators when crafting a story.
You should also think about the setting of your narrative. If it’s a place you know well, you can use that knowledge to create a vivid description of the scene. You can draw on actual landmarks, buildings, and people to add authenticity to your writing. This can make it easier for readers to visualize the characters in the environment.
Another way to write what you know is to use details that only you have access to. This could include inside jokes, family stories, or cultural references that only you know. These kinds of details can help to make your story more personal and unique.
Finally, when writing a narrative, you should also consider using a first-person point of view. This will allow you to use your thoughts, feelings, and experiences to tell the story. It will give your narrative a much more personal touch.
By writing what you know, you can create a story that is both authentic and compelling. Drawing on your own experiences can help you craft a narrative that is both believable and engaging for readers.
Edit, edit, edit!
Editing is arguably the most important part of the writing process, and it’s one that all writers should take seriously. A good edit can take an okay story and make it great. Whether you’re writing a short story or a novel, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your work is the best it can be.
The first step in editing your work is to read through it carefully, paying attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation, and overall clarity. Take the time to fix any typos and mistakes that you find. If possible, have someone else read over your work for a fresh pair of eyes.
The next step is to ask yourself some questions about your narrative structure. Does it make sense? Is there a clear beginning, middle, and end? Is your protagonist well-developed? Are there any plot holes that need to be addressed? Thinking critically about your story can help you create a better narrative arc.
Finally, look for ways to improve the flow of your story. Does it move from one scene to the next in a smooth manner? Does it contain enough detail to draw the reader in without going overboard? Re-read your work with these questions in mind and make any changes that you feel are necessary.
Taking the time to edit your work will pay off in the long run. Editing may not be the most exciting part of the writing process, but it’s essential if you want to create a quality piece of writing. So, don’t forget to edit, edit, edit!