"Unputdownable": Capturing And Keeping Your Readers' Attention

I've spoken of the generality of the importance of universal appeal in all details related to your writing. I think now is a great time to discuss the actual methods that great writers use to keep their reader glued to the pages of their books.

In non-fiction, there are fewer ways to perform this task. The key things to keep in mind are research, uniqueness, and the spreading of information. The more research you do about your given topic choice, the more material choice you will have to include in your work. The more unique and obscure your information about the topic, the more it sets you apart from the other books written about the same subject. Lastly, the more you spread out the unique and lesser-known facts pertaining to your subject; The better job of making your work stand out above the rest.

With fiction, obviously, the sky is the limit. But, the less an imagination you have, the less tools you will have at your exposure. Here's a tip that I sometimes give people struggling with "writer's block" or any blockage they encounter in their writing. Give yourself 60 seconds, no matter where in the world you are, and randomly choose an object. Now, time yourself and create a title, main character, and main plot/ story line for a book or story based on the object in question. If you simply cannot do it in 60 seconds then try ten minutes and lessen the time limits each week until you are able to do it in 60 seconds. It's fun and forces your mind to open up to new possibilities.

Getting back on topic... pulling your reader in and keeping them there is something that is developed over time. The more intrigue you create, the more likely your reader will continue turning pages. Give them information, but keep it general. Give them high points. At least three per book/ story. Shock them. Let them steer their idea of the backdrop from time to time. Most any avid reader enjoys being given an opportunity to create their own images of landscapes, characters, and objects at times.

Everyone knows that stories have a beginning, middle, and ending. But, no reader will ever bother getting to the end unless you give them material worth spinning through to find out what happens and how it turned out that way. It's not a crime to write about werewolves, detectives, wizards, and vampires. But, writing about all those things in ways that are not innovative will only make your story fall short of the next great trend or wave. Using dialogue that creates interpersonal appeal for your characters is key to making your reader come back for more again and again. After all, without the characters, the book will just be long, drawn out descriptions of nouns and nonsensical verbiage. It's the characters that the reader cares about. They want to know why they do what they do. How they do it and what sets them apart from any other character they have ever read about. Fail to create beings that have personality and you will surely fail to create a book that anyone bothers to read.

Apart from what I have already stated is the subject of transition. This, in itself, is an art. The transitions from chapters and subplots must make sense or at least make the reader need to know what comes next. Ending a chapter with a description of a flower will do nothing to compel your reader to progress in your book unless you are writing a poetry book. Then, by all means, flower on...

Any story, no matter how short or how long , has to have three pivotal moments that captivate your audience in some way. Varying the content of these pivotal moments and how they relate to both your plot and characters will further your chances of making your work stand out in your readers mind. The more you can spin memorable moments; the more your audience will remember who wrote that story they just read.

Just as in anything else in life, monotony kills the lust for life. It will do the same for whatever writing project you endeavor to embark upon.

By Christopher Storm