Plot works along with setting and characters to draw your readers into your story and keep them riveted until the last sentence.

Plot, at its core, is what happens in the story. Many writers feel like they need an exciting new idea for their story plot but newness and originality aren’t the keys to hooking readers.  Here are 5  things (other than having a flashy new idea) that will help you keep readers invested in your story plot.

1. Use the Right Structure

Be careful when choosing your structure. Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Adventure frequently follow the structure of the Hero’s Journey however Romance and mystery tend to follow Three Act Structure.

Making sure you are following the correct structure for the story you are telling and the genre it is being told in is vital. The wrong structure can lead to a story that feels choppy, has inconsistent pacing, and makes the reader put down your book.

2. Conflict is King

At the most basic level, plot is a character wanting something and being unable to get it.

It is important that your plot is paved with conflict. Stories, where nothing happens, are boring.

Plot should involve characters going up against seemingly impossible odds to strive for the thing they need.

Conflict can stem from other characters, from the setting, or simply from the realities of the plot. For instance, a character who needs to win a marathon will need to be physically fit to do so. If they are already physically fit and the marathon is easy for them to run there is no conflict and the story of a character running a marathon they are can already physically run is boring. Watching a character struggle to get fit for the marathon and sacrifice the things they love to train their body has the potential to be full of conflict and create an interesting read.

3. Outline the Plot

There are some writers who can sit down and tell a story by the seat of their pants but those writers tend to be few and far between.

Writing a general outline that lists the conflicts characters will encounter allows the writer to be sure their plot has enough conflict to be interesting. It also will help the writer take the character from one failure or success to the next until they get to the climax of the story. Having a plot outline, even if it is a vague one, is an extremely useful tool for writers when it comes to creating a strong plot for their story.

4. Deviate from Genre Formulas at Your Peril

Genre fiction has rules about plot and pacing. Those rules should be followed unless there is an extremely good story reason not to do so.

It is exciting for readers when their expectations are subverted but only if it is done well.

Understand the genre you are writing in and follow the basic story map for your plot. Deviate where appropriate but don’t try to subvert the entire genre unless you are writing a satire.

Readers pick up genre fiction for a reason and with certain expectations of the plot. An adventure story is going to be full of danger. A mystery will be solved at the end and the bad guys will pay for their misdeeds. The lovers in a romance will continue on in their love after the pages close.

When plotting out your story keep reader expectations of the genre in the forefront of your thoughts. Know what readers want from a genre and try to deliver it in a new and interesting way.

5.  Focus on How

Too many writers get hung up on what the plot of their book is. In reality, even a fairly benign plot can be made interesting if told in the right way.

Plot should tie in with setting and characters to keep the reader engaged. Conflict should flow naturally from the elements of the story so that they feel believable and not contrived. Plot is the vehicle for carrying the story along but it is only one element of the story. Combining a conflict-filled plot, epic characters, and an engaging setting is the key to making a riveting story that readers will not only enjoy but will want to tell all their bookish friends about.

Finished writing your story? InstantPublisher can help you self-publish your book.

Instant publisher offers a wide variety of services including custom illustrations, cover design, and interior book formatting. Visit our website today for more details or call us at 1 800 259 2592.

There are billions of books in the world and self-publishing authors need to make sure their books stand out to readers.

Characters are the heart and soul of your story. They are the vehicle that allows your reader to experience the plot and setting surrounding your character. Having characters that readers connect to can be the difference between a fan favorite and a flop. Here are 5 tips for creating characters your readers will connect with.

1. Characters Should Exist Outside the Story

Even though a reader’s only experience with your character will be inside the pages of your story it is important for a character to feel like they have a full complex life when they aren’t on the stage of the page.

Characters should have likes, dislikes, friendships, and a background story that isn’t limited to their role in your current story. A reader should feel like they are stepping into a character’s story and not that the character’s story began when they opened the pages.

2. Characters Should Have Relationships

If your characters feel flat try adding a best friend or a family member the character is close to. Have them interact in scenes that aren’t focused on moving the plot forward or showing off an amazing setting. Those things can happen in the scene as well but giving the character time to present their personality while interacting with someone they have known all their lives and will continue to know once the pages are closed will help the reader relate to them.

Additionally, seeing other characters positively interact with the main character can help to recommend that character to the reader. Instead of telling how kind your protagonist is have them be kind to a friend or have a friend comment on something they did that exemplifies the traits you want to show.

3. Characters Aren’t Perfect

Your character should have a few negative traits. Maybe they are impulsive. Maybe they get angry easily. Maybe they are too trusting. Whatever the negative traits you give your character show the readers how those traits create roadblocks for the character to overcome. This allows for a complex character arc that will keep readers invested.

4. Make Your Characters Active

Sometimes a plot requires things to happen to a character but it is always best for the character to make decisions that lead to the next plot point or event in the story. A character who doesn’t wait idly for things to happen to them will be a champion readers want to root for.

5. Avoid or Subvert Stereotypes

Readers get tired of reading about characters who are all the same. Stereotypes might be okay for a walk-on character but they aren’t okay for a protagonist and they make a weak antagonist.

People are complex. No one fits neatly into stereotypes. A “jock” can be an honor student. A “geek” can like sports. A cheerleader can like the bookstore as much as the make-up counter.

The more you can break stereotypes and show your character as well-rounded, the easier it will be for readers to connect to the character, and the more that character will stand out in their memory once the story is finished.

Once you’ve brought your amazing characters to life on the page, InstantPublisher will help you turn those pages into a printed book. InstantPublisher offers a variety of self-publishing services including interior book formatting, ghostwriting services, custom illustrations, and cover design. To learn more visit our website or call 1 800 259 2592.