What I Learned About Storytelling After Writing A Book

5 storytelling lessons I learned after writing 3 best-selling books 

(and how you can apply them) 🧵👇

#1 Recipe for writing likable characters

Do you know what’s common between Harry Potter, Batman and Jon Snow?

They’re all:

• courageous,

• resourceful, and

• have a selfless drive to succeed.

These traits make a character likeable.

But if all characters have the same features, how will you make yours stand out?

By making them:

• survive ENORMOUS odds, and

• achieve the impossible-seeming results.

#2 Engaging climaxes are formulaic

Every fiction book ends with a climax (following the same formula):

• an inciting incident,

• followed by rising action,

• culminating with the climax,

• ending with a resolution.

But do you know which ones stand out? 👇

The ones where the climax has impossibly high stakes 🔥

When the protagonist fights insane odds, their journey becomes memorable.

The closer they're to losing it all, the more you’d want them to win.

Authors who stick to this formula write the most loved books.

#3 Flow can make or break your story

Writers get attached to their words. They won’t delete a chapter they think is perfect.

But if a chapter doesn't —

• take the story forward, or

• add depth to the characters,

then it doesn't belong in your novel.

#4 The real "hero" isn't the plot. It’s the characters!

To make your characters memorable:

• write them with a flaw, and

• have them grow by making sacrifices.

Your book would feel half-done if your characters don’t undergo any significant change.

#5 Characters shouldn't disappear

Don’t introduce side-characters only to push the plot forward.

Instead, give them:

• substantial backstories,

• goals & aspirations, and

• self-driven actions that fit in the story.

Well-written characters and a solid plot back a successful book.

If each character has a backstory strong enough to make readers root for them, they will be unforgettable.

The actions taken by side characters should take the story forward, and aid or cause obstacles to the MC.

5 storytelling lessons TL;DR:

#1 All likeable characters follow the same traits.

#2 Engaging climaxes are formulaic.

#3 If a chapter doesn’t take a story forward, delete it.

#4 Characters need to be well-fleshed out.

#5 Side characters should have their own backstories