Strategies for Chapters Part 2 of 2

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Remaining open to change means that if some chapters do not make sense or are totally irrelevant to the entire plot, you can simply edit them when you feel their not in sync with the rest of the story.
By placing the information that you want in each of the chapters in your outline, the speed with which you’ll be able to write your book increases substantially.


The truth is, each writer has his own unique writing style and techniques, especially when it comes to beginning and ending a story. Here are a few pointers to help in jump starting your book.


• You should think of an opening that will keep your reader glued to your story from start to the next exciting episode. It can be an event that leaves them yearning for more.
Your initial sentence should be something that is so powerful it reaches out to your readers and pulls them in. If you can come up with an engrossing intro, that will engage the reader right from the get go so they won’t want to put your book down. Make your readers feel they are part of the story.


• Some writers usually start their opening paragraph with a question. This is an effective way to attract readers and get them involved early in the game. However, the question should have substance and purpose.
To do that, the question should be philosophical or something that seems like it. It should be the type of question that the reader will ponder on during the whole time they are reading the book.


• Most professional writers create outlines before they set out developing their story. Outlines will help you remember key events in your story. Create an outline for every chapter of your novel.
Of course, your outline can be rearranged as you go. It just serves as your guide in the progression of your story. It leads you from your starting point to your destination.

The outline can be written in any style that you like. It can be in depth or just a simple summary of how you want your story to develop. Keep in mind that the more information you put in your outline, the more intense and vibrant your book becomes.


• One of the most important elements of a book is its characters. They create intrigue and this is what keeps your readers glued to your story. As long as your characters are interesting, you can rest assured that your readers are attached to your plot.


Here are some tips on how you can improve your writing skills.

• Begin your story with tension

You don’t always have to begin a story with lots of action. Instead, lay the groundwork for the action by beginning your story with tension, for instance your protagonist being unable to save the life of a loved one. From tension, a good progression would be to slowly build the suspense until the story reaches the climax.


• Build on what your characters desire most

Most popular stories are hinged on characters who want something. For example, Jason Bourne wants to know his true identity. Harry Potter wants to defeat the one responsible for the death of his parents. The characters of John Grisham want to win difficult legal cases.
In order to create a worthwhile story, you have to create characters that have compelling individualities, people who have strong wants and desires.


• End every chapter of your book on a hanging note

You can keep your readers on their toes, wanting to read more by leaving them with an unanswered question at the end of each chapter. This leaves the writer with the task of providing an answer for the previous question and creating a new one as the story builds towards the climax.
Fiction thrives and becomes successful on the inquisitiveness of readers. A writer needs to continually spark the interest of the reader and one of the most effective ways is to place a hook or cliff-hanger towards the end of each chapter.
If you do not create questions, there is no incentive for a reader to continue reading on to the next chapter.


• Create hurdles for your characters, difficult obstacles to overcome.

Make these obstacles as difficult as they can be to add suspense and tension to your fiction. The trick is that your protagonist should be able to conquer these impediments regardless of their level of difficulty.
Fiction becomes more interesting when the main characters are faced with difficult odds and they are still able to pull through in the end.