Thursday’s Tips: Don’t Lose Your Reader

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Readers expect to not be lost in confusion. It’s
so difficult to be objective about our own writing. That’s where critique
groups come in handy. As writers, we picture exactly what we mean to portray,
but sometimes the portrayal doesn’t work. Be clear. Step back and
read the passage again. Have you kept too
many secrets? Be purposeful about the secrets you’re keeping. A confused
reader is likely to give up on your book
and may not be eager to pick up your next one. 

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Readers expect to see a story question so they
know why to keep reading. Be clear in your own mind about the story question
before you begin the story. Include that question as early in the first chapter
as you can. First page is best. 

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Readers expect to be hooked right away (some of
that is accomplished by introducing a clear story question, some by involving
the reader in action early in the story). Work to hook your reader through as many
means as you can—story question, action, character sympathy, etc.—as early as
you can. 

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Readers expect to get to know and like your MC (main character). Help your
readers learn about your MC. Help us understand their ordinary world, their coping mechanisms, their main problem, their fears, their goals. Give
your character layers via backstory (all of which you know; some of which you’ll
share with your readers), and complex emotions. Always answer the question “Why?”
when it comes to your character. Why does Jon do this or that? What motivates
him? Why? What does he fear? Why? What does he want? Why?

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Readers expect to sympathize with your MC and
eventually to love him/her. Help readers like your MC by giving us something to
relate (sympathize) with. People relate with what are known as “universal themes.”
These themes include, a father’s love, a mother’s love, wanting to protect
children, justice, the need for acceptance, fear of rejection, a longing for
forgiveness, etc. Through deep POV (point of view), help readers relate with
your MC so we sympathize. That will keep readers hooked and help meet their
expectations. 

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Readers expect to understand your characters’ motives,
including those of the antagonist. This ties in with believability, which is so key in storytelling. Yes, readers are
suspending their disbelief, but even a fantasy world full of hobbits must have certain
elements for believability. That comes down to characterization most times and
includes character motivations. Would a character who fights for justice
suddenly (and without cause) choose to harm the innocent? Unless you’ve provided
clear, believable motivation, readers will reject this thread, come to despise
your character, and probably stop reading the book. Furthermore, evil characters have
a reason for doing what they do. Demonstrate that and your readers will not only
believe in your character and his/her involvement in the story, they’ll
sympathize with the antagonist. (Generally the more you can help readers
analyze their own thoughts, motives, feelings, the better. It’s one of the ways
fiction works to change lives. Giving readers conflicting reasons to sympathize and care helps facilitate this.)

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Readers
expect to suspend disbelief for the sake of story (which still involves logical
flow). Readers will willingly follow, as I’ve stated above, so long as you
keep them engaged without introducing unbelievable elements. Remember, they
want to go along for the roller coaster ride. But it’s the writer’s job to keep
them belted into the car. 

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Readers
expect clear point of view without head-hopping. Lastly for our
non-exhaustive list, I’ll discuss point of view. Part of why readers get lost
or confused in our stories is that the writer includes what’s called head-hopping.
Be clear about point of view. Use one character per scene and/or chapter. Don’t
switch into omniscient point of view. Take advantage of deep POV to not only
give us the elements of the story, but to also give us more reasons to love
your MC.