How do fiction writers transform ideas into stories that captivate readers? There is no one answer. Every writer has their own approach. Yet, there are essential tools of craft that are key to every story. Let’s check out a few.

Imagination: The Spark that starts it all.

Imagination fires a story idea. It is behind the ability to dream up characters, settings, and scenarios that feel real to the reader. Story ideas come from anywhere. Inspiration may come from reading, movies, observations, situations friends or family encounter, even questions from the writer’s own life. I’ve found trying to show conflict through examples is a great way to spur ideas. Anything is fair game to a writer with one simple question. “What if?”

Language: Proper use is your friend.

Words are a writer’s medium, and the proper use of language is a critical element of any story. Diction, syntax, point of view, and tone can evoke emotion and paint vivid pictures. Sentence structure can heighten tension and create a sense of urgency. Using metaphors, similes, and sensory details, along with the proper choice of adverbs and adjectives, can create depth and build atmosphere. Choosing the wrong words, grammatical errors, poor pacing and complex language can pull a reader out of a story, and that’s never a good thing.

Character Development: Make them care.

Characters need to feel authentic. People are flawed, complex and driven by desires, need and fear. Without these traits, characters will appear one-dimensional and flat. You want characters readers can relate to and care about. Using backstory, dialogue and internal monolog can reveal who your characters are, what they want, what stands in their way, and what must change to reach their goal.

 Structure: Got to have it.

Regardless of whether a writer is a plotter, panster or hybrid, structure gives shape to your story. The writer can maintain reader engagement in the story by using techniques such as foreshadowing, pacing, and balancing action with quiet moments. They may throw in a good plot twist or two to keep the reader guessing and turning the page.   

Conflict: The Absolute Necessity.

Story is conflict. Let me say that again. No conflict, No story. Characters are driven by conflict—both internal and external—which gives the story its meaning. The stronger the conflict, the higher the stakes, the more gripping the story. The writer must empathize with the characters. Inhabit their minds, feel their emotions, understand their reasoning and reactions, and know their limits. By testing those limits, making their goal appear impossible and causing the characters to suffer, the writer forces change. The changes required of the characters to achieve their goals.

The Writing Life

The reality of writing is far less glamorous than most imagine. Writing is hard work. It is solitary work that requires consistency and dedication. It is often painstaking, heartbreaking, and sometimes downright depressing. No one enjoys hitting their head against a brick wall, and most writers will hit that wall. Words will refuse to flow. The muse will go on vacation. Sitting down to write will be like pulling teeth. Like the characters, sometimes the writer must suffer to achieve their goal.

Some suggest a writer must write every day. Good advice if it works, but not all writers have that luxury. Full-time jobs, chores to do, children or family’s needs to be met can all make daily writing a challenge at best. Each writer must find the process that works for them. Whether a few scheduled minutes here and there, an hour on a Sunday afternoon, or recording on a phone app in the car. Writers can’t wait for a flush of inspiration, a day without obligations or the muse to decide to get back to work. To be a writer, a writer must write. Regularly. In the mood or not. Inspired or not. They must put their butt in a chair and do the work. There is no glory in being a writer, but the finished story is worth the effort.

What’s the one tool you can’t live without in your writer’s kit?