How to Maintain Reader Interest Throughout Your Narrative

Storytelling should be a required course for every student and professional. Because it’s the only way to truly change minds. When I first began writing, I realized that without a story, my words only reached the intellect. To truly resonate, writing must touch both the head and the heart. As I began teaching writing, I realized few people truly were taught how to weave story into their writing — especially when writing articles, posts, or books. Here are seven techniques I teach to help weave storytelling into anything you write: 1. Start with a Hook: Your opening lines are your first, and sometimes only, chance to grab your reader's attention. Use an intriguing question, a surprising fact, or a vivid scene to draw them in. 2. Show, Don't Tell: Rather than stating facts or feelings, show them through actions, dialogue, and sensory details. This technique helps readers experience the story rather than just reading it. 3. Create Relatable Characters: Real people are actually characters to those of us who don’t know them. Treat them that way to your readers, and describe them in ways that bring them to life, whether your spouse, boss, or colleague is a character in your story. 4. Build a Compelling Plot: Stories need something to happen —- action. Use conflict and tension to create suspense and propel your story forward. 5. Use Vivid Descriptions: Paint a picture with your words. Descriptions should be vivid but relevant, enhancing the story without overshadowing it. 6. Include Dialogue: Dialogue brings life to your writing. It's a powerful tool for revealing character traits, advancing the plot, and adding realism. 7. Create a Satisfying Conclusion: Your ending should tie up loose ends and leave the reader with something to think about. A great conclusion makes the journey worthwhile. From Theory to Practice In my own journey, whether writing 'Super Mentors' or 'Pennymores', I've learned that storytelling is not just about entertaining. It's a tool for conveying ideas, sharing experiences, and connecting deeply with your audience. Remember, the most effective writing doesn’t just speak to the mind; it speaks to the heart. By mastering storytelling, you’re not just a writer; you become a storyteller, leaving a lasting impact on your readers. Now, it's your turn. Take these principles and weave them into your next piece. Watch as your words gain power and your stories leave imprints on the hearts of your readers. #StorytellingInWriting #NarrativeTechniques #EngagingContent #HeartfeltWriting 📖💡

Use the Five Ms to Report and Write Narrative Preparing to write a story or feature piece—particularly one that involves dramatic narrative (what John Franklin called “chronology with meaning”)—starts like most writing projects: look for the who, what, where, when, why, and how. Then create a structure suitable for the essentials of info. Narrative, though, needs more than the 5Ws and the H. Every writer I know who’s tried to write narrative using them has found herself with, maybe, an outline ready for narrative. But thin on the reporting resources to fill it. And having great writing chops is no escape hatch. Trying to compensate for a lack of reporting with brute-force writing leads to sentimentality, theatrics, and (all too often) making stuff up. So how can you prepare to write narrative? My approach is to gather and write using the “five Ms”: main character, momentum, moments, mood, and meaning. They’re not exhaustive. But along with the 5Ws and H, they help me focus my attention, interviews, and planning for narrative writing. How do they work? Here are some things I’m looking for. Main character: Whose story is it? - Who will the reader follow? - What do they want and why? - Who are they before, behind, and beyond the problem? (Are they flat or round characters? *See comment) - How can I bring the reader close enough to see how they act, think, and feel? Momentum: What sends the story into motion: a problem, question, desire? - What’s the intended pace of the story (a static lecture hall, a brisk walking tour, or a breakneck, breathless action movie)? - Does the story feel like it’s moving toward something? - What supplementary events will help “rev the engine” as the story unfolds? -How do my writing choices—word choice, word order, and punctuation—adjust the momentum when needed? Moments: Where and when did certain things happen? - What key moments did I observe or capture, or what do I need to recreate them? - What order do they need to occur in? - How close will the reader be to them (in a hot air balloon, down the block, over the character’s shoulder)? - How will I transition from one moment to the next? Mood: What do I want the reader to feel? - Have I given thought to the mood? - If key moments were set to music, what kind? - Does the mood compliment or clash with the story? - Am I forcing the mood on the reader, or am I letting it result from my writing choices? Meaning: What does it mean? - What’s the story about beyond the specific angle? - What’s universal about it? - What’s a six-word summary for the story? Fold these into what you’re looking for and how you draft, and I promise you’ll feel more supported to write a compelling narrative. #writing #storytelling #writingcommunity #healthcaremarketing #contentmarketing

Ever feel like your writing hits a brick wall? Mis-timed description derails narrative drive. I wrote last week that readers ask one primary question: "What happens next?" There's an implicit contract with readers that every word you put on the page is something they need to know. When you break that contract by including unnecessary details, readers get annoyed and start skimming—or worse. Every time you pause that forward momentum to describe something, you're making a dangerous bet that your reader cares enough to stick with you. It’s like hiking to a waterfall with someone who stops every 10 feet to point out another tree. That's ok at first, but before long you just want to reach the waterfall. The problem isn't description itself—it's handling it. My friends at Story Grid use two tools to ensure that your descriptions support your narrative rather than detracting from it. 1. Minimum Viable Exposition    Only add what helps the reader understand the action. If it doesn’t move the story or reveal character, cut it.     2. Just-in-Time Exposition    Don’t front-load. Reveal details when they matter—right in the middle of the action. When you balance description with narrative momentum, your readers stay engaged. And that’s when your story truly shines. Want feedback on your scene? Drop a DM. Let’s get your story waterfall-ready.