What makes you keep Reading- Part One

            When you pick up a book off the shelf in the book store, flip it open and read the first page, or turn it over to read the summary… what makes you take it home? What makes you buy it or check it out from the library? And more importantly… after you get it… what makes you keep reading?

Maybe your friend told you about it, which is often the case. Maybe you’ve heard word of it floating around. Either way, that book interested someone, somewhere. But how? And why?

One of the most important things about a story is the idea. The spark that started you planning and writing in the first place. Without a good, strong idea… the book will be dull and uninteresting. However, the idea is not the only thing. You can have a great idea, but you won’t capture your reader’s attention, they won’t know it’s a great idea, unless you craft the words in the right way to grab the reader and carry them away with your characters.

That makes me think of another thing: Characters. What’s a book without great, strong characters? A brave, kind, noble MC… a quirky, witty, funny best friend… a sparkling, daring love interest… The characters are what give the story meaning. They get the readers rooting for the right side. At least, hopefully. Unless you have one of those twisted, evil little MCs who actually betrays them and… well, you get the point.

So I’m going to do a little series on What makes you keep reading! Today we’ll cover number one- The Idea.

Why did you pick up the pencil? (Or, since we’re in the 21 century here, why did you open a new word document?) … Nah, we’ll stick to the pencil. ;)

Something popped into your head. Maybe while you were at school, or in the shower (it happens), or at a sleepover, or in your bed room lying on your bed… or maybe in a dream! The idea, that great idea, made you want to pick up the pencil and share it to the world. But sadly, the idea is really, often, the easiest part. I can bet you that at least one out of ten of your friends has started a book. Five out of ten have come up with a great idea, but haven’t bothered putting it down on paper. And probably all of your friends could make up an idea if they wanted, but putting it on the paper is the hard part.

The Story Problem and the story world are two of the main keys to having a great idea. When I say story world, that just means the setting. You don’t have to actually have a whole world to write in, but it can be wherever. From Paris to Kansas.

The story problem is what gets the action happening. Something happens to your MC (Main Character) and they have to set off on an adventure to take care of that problem. The problem is what gives the idea action and speed. You don’t want your story moving like a slug.

Let’s use harry potter for example. We’ll stick to book one, which I’m sure just about everyone has seen or read. In the beginning, Harry Potter, an 11 year old orphan, is introduced. Young Harry hates his aunt and uncle and cousin (which is a problem, but not the main one) and longs for a life away from number 4 Privet Drive.

He gets his wish when a giant named Hagrid busts down his front door, which is also a problem, but still not the main one we’re searching for. Harry gets his supplies, and THEN he hears (from Hagrid) about the problem. The main story problem. The one that the whole book, and series, revolves around.

Voldemort, a mass murderer and dark wizard, killed his parents, and tried to kill him, but was supposedly “defeated” after a failed attempt. Later, you find out he’s coming back.

This, my friends, is the sparkling story problem. Harry must fight Lord Voldemort to help save those he loves. Sometimes, half the book will pass and you still have no idea what the main story problem is. This can be good, if done right, but bad if you don’t throw some interesting stuff in there to keep the story moving.

The second key to a great story idea is the setting. The story world. In Harry Potter, we are sent to the magical school of Hogwarts, a fantastical castle with moving stairs, talking paintings, moody ghosts, secret passages, three headed dogs and tons of other monsters in the forbidden forest. This gives the story an air of mystery and suspense. Who knows what could be waiting around the corner of a forbidden corridor for Harry and his friends?

A good, strong setting gives you a lot to work with. You can practically throw whatever you want at your characters if you have the right setting. Put them in a strange city or strand them on a mysterious island. Often, the setting and the idea can work together to make the story problem. Like having your character get shipwrecked on a mysterious island. Island-setting. Shipwrecked-Well… that’s slightly problematic… don’t you think? ;)

I hope this post has served helpful to you! I will write about the art of crafting your words next post!

Lots of love, Hannah W.