looking to perfect the art of writing is something a screenwriter looks to do on a daily basis, and the question “How do I write better stories?” is asked all the time.
In this article, we will look at the key tips to allow you to write better stories. From writing techniques to character development, we will cover the lot.
How to write better stories
Writing better stories is something all storytellers and creatives want to improve on, it’s difficult but by practising on a weekly basis and exploring new ideas can help you expand your horizon and write some really interesting pieces.
Here are a few tips on how you can write better stories.
Show, don’t tell.
This is something very important, a lot of writers fall into the trap of telling you exactly what there is rather than showing you.
A great example of this is when something big is going to happen to the protagonist in the story, show what’s happening rather than telling, it helps the reader become engaged with the story and provides gripping content.
Always show the most interesting parts, which leads to our next tip on how to write better stories;
Come to the party late, then leave it early
Yep, that’s it be very late to your party, and leave extremely early, “why’s this?” you ask in a confused manner, well, here’s why:
You want to enter just as the entertainments building and it becomes interesting, then leave once the height of the entertainments passed, leaving the reader fulfilled and not dragging them through the ins and outs of the boring stuff.
To put it simply, keep the story flowing well, but don’t drag the reader through everything, an example would be if your protagonist was going to their best friends wedding, you don’t want to watch them walking to find a cab and in the cab, unless there is a key piece of information – just leave out the boring stuff!
READ MORE: How to write a logline: The ultimate guide
Write in one go
Even if you feel like it’s not going to be great, just write it all down, it’s better to have something written ready to review as a second draft than sit there with a blank page.
The best way is to plan out a skeleton of the story using a film treatment or an outline to help you develop the skeleton for the story, once this is in place try to write in one single sitting as much as you possibly can, then edit later.
This will help you no end with your writing workflow and the treatment and outline will help you avoid writer’s block.
For more ideas, check out our video below:
Create tension and suspense
Creating tension and suspense is one of the best ways to improve your script, but first, you need to be able to write in a manner that will keep the reader hooked, sentence to sentence.
Simply, to create the tension and the suspense to a point that the reader is on the edge of their seat, bed, (insert object here), you ask the reader a dramatic question, “are they going to survive?”, “Will they get there?”.
Just be sure to keep the information restricted and give them little breadcrumbs throughout the story, this will keep them interested but still wanting more and wondering what the outcome will be.
READ MORE: 7 screenwriting tips for beginners
Write brilliant dialogue
Writing captivating dialogue is integral to your script becoming interesting and most importantly, a success. The best way to improve dialogue is by developing your characters to a point you know there favourite food and their core mannerisms, this will help you develop their voice as well as the way they carry themselves.
By developing the characteristics of your character it will allow you to develop their unique voice, therefore improving their dialogue. The second part to developing the dialogue is simple, it’s rewrites – trust us, brilliant dialogue doesn’t always fly out first write, trust us, it takes time and craft to get it to a point you’ll be happy with.
READ MORE: 7 essential tips to improve dialogue within your script
Develop your protagonist
The main focus of your story will always be your protagonist, so it’s essential you build and develop an interesting, captivating character to will pull the story forward that your audience will be rooting for.
There are a few methods, from character development worksheets, to interview based exercises to pull the intricate detail you need from the protagonist.
The protagonist is there to make decisions within the story, for them to make horrific mistakes to get them into some serious trouble, then the decisions that allow them to get out of these horrific situations.
Another way to drag the best out of the protagonist is to develop a character that works as either an arch-nemesis or a close friend that has completely differing views to create friction or to provide the storyline with another dimension. Play the two off or bounce the rhetoric off one another, this will be sure to create tension and excitement.
READ MORE: Character Development Worksheet
How to write better stories
We hope this has helped you develop your stories and allowed you to write better stories with the varying tips. It’s a long burn but the more you practise your craft the easier it will become.
Just remember to write, write, write then revise, this will help you with your writing flow and allow you to overcome hurdles like writer’s block.
Let us know how you get on and share your stories with us here on our Twitter channel.
