7 Foolproof Strategies to Engage Your Reader
by Serita Stevens

#1 Creating Compelling
Characters

Your characters need to be well-rounded.
 It is not enough to know their eye and hair color, you have to know their
education, their attitudes and their flaws.  No character should be all
good or all bad.  The same goes with villains - there needs to be something
good about the, anything - so that we understand why they want to defeat the
hero.

#2 Outline Your
Story

Many new writers balk at outlining because
they think it takes away from the creativity of their work.  It actually
enhances the process because it helps you to see the flaws and know where you
are going.  This doesn't mean it's set in stone, the characters
can come alive and talk back to you.  Listen to them, but have an idea of
where you are headed or you will hit the middle sag sooner than you
think.

#3 Understanding Point of
View

Know who the protagonist of your story is.
 Who is the action happening to and why and who changes the most in the
story?  Keep focused on your main character, even if you are doing an
"ensemble." 

#4 Setting the
Stage

Know what's important to describe,
especially if you are setting up a whole new world. This is crucial in
historicals or science fiction, but even in a modern day story.  Understand
the necessity of details to create the world.

#5Establish Atmosphere and
Tone

Word choice is crucial here.  If you
are writing a thriller, set the mood and establish the problem. If you are doing
a comedy, make it light.  Use the right metaphors to describe where you are
and what is happening.  Don't switch genres in the midst of a book.

#6 Write Active And Not
Passive

Go over your sentences and eliminate lame
words like "is, are, was, that is" Use active words.  Instead of
he is running, he runs.  Use the right word.  He walks can be he
strolls, struts, shuffles, etc.  Keep away from bland words like nice,
beautiful. 

#7 Shorten Your
Sentences

Shorter sentences make for a quicker read
and faster pace.  There is a place for the longer, more elaborate sentence
structure, but pick it carefully. Readers today don't have the time to wade
through paragraphs upon paragraphs of mundane description.

Serita Stevens is the author of The
Ultimate Writers Workbook For Books And Scripts. Get your copy today at
www.seritastevens.com.