Write Things: On crafting a captivating story

Welcome,

My fall writing groups are in full swing, and a lot of imagery is finding its way onto my physical and virtual tables, sparking some great conversations about how readers get hooked on a story.

This newsletter comes after some reflection.

Idea: On Process

A good book is hard to put down because we’re engaged. We’re plugged in, connected, and invested.

Readers engage with a text in many ways. As a high school English teacher for 16 years, I saw that good readers do this in more than one way. Back then, we placed the responsibility on students to actively (and sometimes forcefully) use engagement strategies.

Now, I put the onus on my writers.

I’m not saying we need to write books designed to capture readers’ attention. Writing is about self-expression, not creating something just to attract a reader (that’s advertising—and while there’s nothing wrong with writing to sell, it’s different from creating an original, self-expressed work).

Good writing attracts readers, but that’s the byproduct of an authentic creative process—not the goal.

Our intention is to show how we are engaged in the story we’re telling.

Is there tension or suspense in the moment? Get that down on the page.

Are you immersed in a vivid setting or intense emotion? Capture it so your reader can feel it too.

Is a character beautiful, cruel, or self-loathing? Write and revise until your reader sees your character as clearly as you do.

Whether you’re writing personal or fictional stories, focus on what you enjoy, what interests you, or what you’re curious about. That’s where your emphasis should be.

Capture what engages you with your story.

The ability to do this accurately and efficiently is where skill and knowledge of technique come into play.

Your goal is to convey what engaged you. Ask for feedback—did your reader experience what you did? If so, mission accomplished. If not, you can revise or move on to the next story.

And if they like it, great. If they don’t, they’re not your reader—at least not for this piece, not right now.

Inspiration: Quick-Write Prompt – “Alone”

Set a timer for four minutes and write continuously on the word above. This week, lean into the images, feelings, or ideas that feel important. Afterward, decide whether to revise, continue, or leave it as is.

I love hearing how different writers approach each prompt. Send yours to [email protected] or reply to this email. I’ll respond to every piece I receive before the next newsletter.

An Invitation: To Test

Take something you’ve already written or are working on. Find a section that feels important—maybe it’s shocking, interesting, exciting, or wise. Whatever it is, you like that it’s there.

Now, review how you’ve written it. Did you give your reader the chance to experience it the way you did when you imagined or remembered it?

Let a couple of people read it, and don’t ask if they liked it—ask them to describe their experience while reading it. See if it matches your intention.

If it does—congratulations, you did it! If it doesn’t, move into the editing process. Did you ‘show’ or ‘tell’? Use short or long sentences? Is there dialogue, and should there be? Would a metaphor be more effective?

Play with different techniques. This is how we grow in our craft.

See you all next week.

Sincerely,

Trevor Martens

Founder, I Help You Write Things