The Secret to Writing a Bestseller: Add Cats (Or Dragons. Or Both.)

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Fiction writing is a fascinating and complex art form that allows writers to create entire worlds and characters from their imaginations. While the possibilities are endless in fiction writing, every good story needs a few key elements to succeed. This blog post will explore some of these elements and provide tips and advice for aspiring fiction writers.

Start with a Strong Idea: Every great work of fiction starts with a strong idea. Whether it’s a character, a plot, or a setting, your idea should be something that excites and inspires you. Think about what you’re passionate about and what kind of story you want to tell. Once you have your idea, develop it further by brainstorming and outlining.

Develop Compelling Characters: Characters are the heart and soul of any story. They should be interesting, relatable, and have clear motivations and goals. Develop your characters by giving them backstories, personalities, and quirks. As you write, make sure your characters drive the plot forward and not vice versa.

Create a Vivid Setting: The setting of your story is like a character in its own right. It should be richly imagined and fully realized, with details that bring it to life. Whether it’s a small town, a bustling city, or a fantastical realm, make sure your setting is memorable and immersive.

Craft an Engaging Plot: A good plot keeps readers engaged and invested in the story. Clear stakes, obstacles, and conflict should keep the action moving forward. To create a compelling plot, consider the structure of your story, including the inciting incident, rising action, climax, and resolution.

Use Sensory Details: Sensory details help bring your story to life by engaging the reader’s senses. Incorporate descriptions of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures to create a vivid and immersive reading experience.

Edit and Revise: Once you’ve written a story draft, editing and revising are important. This involves checking for grammar and spelling errors, tightening up the plot and characters, and making sure everything is consistent and flows well. Consider getting feedback from other writers or beta readers to help identify improvement areas.

Keep Writing: An essential tip for aspiring fiction writers is to keep writing. The more you practice, the better you’ll become. Set aside time every day to write, even if it’s just for a few minutes. And don’t be afraid to experiment and take risks with your writing – it’s often the unexpected that makes for the most compelling stories.

In conclusion, fiction writing is a challenging and rewarding craft that requires talent and dedication. Following these tips and staying committed to your writing can create stories that captivate and inspire readers for years. 

What is Smiling Eyes Press

We thought you’d never ask. SEP is an English-language publishing house based in Montréal, Quebec, founded in 2017 to support the creation and publication of beautiful books. Since every author is unique, we must get to know you and your book to explore the best way to meet your publishing goals. In addition to poetry and co-authored works, we publish children’s books, business, fiction and self-help non-fiction. www.smilingeyespress.ca

www.richardtardif.com

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