The trick to writing any successful story is keeping the reader hooked. Unfortunately, many writers forget this and lose their readers in the first chapter. A hook is something that keeps the reader focused on your story and not on the television or an incoming cell phone call. Writing a great story is simple if you follow these five simple rules.

1. Where’s The Hook? Readers want interesting characters and plot lines. Your story must continually propel the reader forward from paragraph to paragraph. Your readers will want characters that they can relate to and care about. Start off your story with an exciting event and then proceed to tell how and why it happened to your character. Every good story has an antagonist and a protagonist, the good guy and the bad guy. Breathe life into your main character by giving them a reason to exist and a way to overcome obstacles.

2. Time Travel. No, I’m not talking about traveling through time in a space ship. The key to any good story is chronology. Most stories begin with an event or series of events. This helps explain to the reader how the character gets from point A to point B.

3. Expositions. An exposition is the way you provide information about your character to your reader. A surefire way to alienate your reader is to give too much information about your character when it isn’t relevant. You don’t tell a new friend all of your secrets at once; you give them out a little at a time.

4. Detours. Have you ever read a neat little chapter in a book but it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the rest of the story? Keep focused on where your story is going. Each paragraph and chapter should move the story forward. Make an outline of your story idea before you start writing and it will help you stay on track.

5. Transitions. In crafting a story remember that the reader will enjoy twists in your story. Problems arise when there are twists, turns and jumps to conclusions with no explanation. The reader wants to know what happened to your character and why. The best way to find these bumps in the road is to have a friend or family member read your story. They will inevitably spot these errors and help you get your story back on track.

Remember that writing a story is a process and not a race. Develop your plot and characters carefully and your readers won’t jump to the last page of your story to see how it ends. Give your readers a reason to turn every page and keep them begging for more. If you follow these five simple rules you will keep your readers interested in your characters until the very last page.

Written by: Charlotte Gerber