As a “writer’s writer”, it’s my opinion that a good story is not only one that succeeds in making a connection with readers—it’s one that the author enjoyed writing. I don’t mean that every moment of the writing process has to be breezy and thrilling. But I do think that stoking your own desire to write, and maintaining a sense of enjoyment and personal connection to your work are in fact essential ingredients to writing a good story. So here are my five tips, writers, for making this happen!
My 5 Best (Author-Focused) Tips on How to Write a Good Story
Tip #1: Play. Explore. Experiment—Really!
In and among the serious business of planning and drafting, writers should remember to play and explore as they write. This often comes about naturally at the beginning, when we’re first thinking about a story idea—when we don’t have the pressure of a plan or a deadline. We might take long walks to let a world bubble into being, make hasty notes on the subway writing a scene we’re not sure what we’ll do with, or sketch images of the characters and worlds we see in our minds. We might think of this stage as a lead-up to writing, not as part of the writing itself—but it is! And we should enjoy it. This is our desire to write waking up and making noise. And not only that, the kind of play we naturally do when our creativity is waking up is exactly the sort of thing that might help us when the going gets tough (and it often does).
When our drafting days bump up against blocks, or our plan feels stagnant and blah…step away from the next step, and instead play, explore, and experiment again with your writing. You might shake a new idea loose, or find a better direction for your adventure. Or you might just get a creative break that makes you fresher when it’s time to jump back in.
Tip #2: Keep connected to your own writing.
Sometimes in the rush to write what we think others want to read (or are most likely to publish), we forget that our stories need to be connected to our ourselves in a meaningful way. That’s not to say that our fictional tales have to reflect our personal histories or literal experiences. And I’m not saying you shouldn’t write stories that touch on current topics or trends, but be sure that you yourself care or are delighted by these things at some level of your being. Your writer’s voice and narrative authenticity likely depend on it. And it ties back again to enjoying the process—how can you enjoy writing about something that doesn’t light a fire inside you?
Tip #3: Pitch your book—to yourself!
I love this tip. I really do. I incorporate it into my workshops whenever I can. I encourage you at some point in your writing process to write a little email pitching your exciting new book to a friend or an editor. You’re not going to send it to them (unless you want to and have the right kind of relationship!), but be sure to send it to yourself. Write a paragraph or two describing your story—who it’s for and why it’s so powerful-funny-imaginative-timely-suspenseful (you pick the word). The act of summarizing your own work is great for focusing your own mind as you draft, and summarizing it with the enthusiasm of a “pitch” can help re-ignite your own drive in the sometimes sloggy experience of drafting.
Tip #4: Rest is crucial.
Sometimes we think we’re better writers when we “power through” but that’s not always the case. Especially when it comes to revision, rest is crucial. Step away from your draft before you revise it. How much time is up to you, but do give it time to rest! Our story shows truer colors when we come back to it with fresh eyes and minds, and we can better see just what needs work. And step away between revisions, too. It’s often hard to put a manuscript aside, but it will be so much better for it. As a bonus, what often happens is that your desire to write gets re-ignited again—you can’t wait to get back to it. This is a good thing! And often after stepping away, you’ll find that you’ll be genuinely delighted by parts of your story again, you can see what’s working—not only what needs to be changed.
Tip #5: Listen to feedback, but follow your heart.
Feedback is valuable. Acting on feedback can help you to strengthen your story. I am truly grateful to friends, family, and readers who’ve taken the time to give me helpful, constructive criticism on all of my projects. I know that my stories are better for it.
And yet…
You are the author. This is your vision. This is your story. Sometimes you receive feedback and suggestions and you don’t see—can’t see—how acting on it could possibly align with this vision. Be thankful and gracious but stay true to your work.
Now, it’s possible that what this sort of feedback is telling you is that you haven’t successfully communicated your vision—yet. So there may still be creative revision ahead of you. But in terms of the fundamentals, of the things you know to be true and necessary for your project, stand by them.