Things A Reader Needs From A Story
– Hey everyone, this list was written by my good friend @papercutwriting, who posts wonderful writing on their blog. Go check them out and send them some love! This list focuses on the three main things that can drive a story; characters, plot, and immersion (setting). This offers a handful of questions to ask about each element in your own story, which will help you hone in on improving the reader’s experience. Happy writing!
How old are your characters?
Does this show through their actions and reactions to the plot?
Is their age shown or just told?
Is their age portrayed through stereotypes?
What are your character’s defining personality traits?
Is there a suitable balance between the positives and negatives?
Can your reader relate to them?
What does your character like?
What is their main motivation?
How does their past affect the way they live in the present?
What do your characters look like?
What are their defining physical traits?
Is there any minority representation in your characters?
Where does the story begin?
Does the placement of the introduction fit the story timeline?
Does the starting point effectively place your reader in the world?
Have you established the overall tone of the story?
Have you introduced any foreshadowing that sets up future events?
Have you established the time period and setting?
Do all the events in between the introduction and the climax serve a purpose that pushes the plot?
Have you included any strong subplots that will interest the reader?
Do your subplots push the overall plot/conflict resolution?
How does your main character develop and change throughout the course of these interval events?
Where is your climax in your story’s timeline?
Does the placement of the climax allow for any period of falling action before the resolution?
How does the climax affect the reader emotionally?
How does the climax affect any other subplots in your story?
How does your story resolve?
Is the end of your story happy? Sad? Inconclusive? Suggestive?
Does the falling action effectively bridge the gap between your climax and the ending?
How does the end leave your reader feeling?
What does the ending leave your reader thinking?
Have the themes of the story been conveyed properly by the end of your narrative?
Is the ending of your story over the top? Cliche? Predictable?
Is your story set in a real place?
Have you done research on this place? The community? The culture?
If you are creating a science fiction/fantasy world, have you established the key features? Religion, community, cultural norms, government? Location?
Have you established the time in the year? The season? The weather?
Is the detail sprinkled into the narrative, or is it delivered in chunks?
Does the introduction of detail flow with the story or does it come across as if it was thrown in at the last minute?
Are details included meant to immerse the reader in the world?
Are the detailed intended to drive the plot? To foreshadow?
Do all the details serve a purpose?
Does your reader know enough about your story to become invested?
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