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5 KEY INGREDIENTS FOR A STRONG STORY:
• A strong opening – Right from the start of your story the setting should set the mood and tone for your readers.
• Balance – You need to have a balance between SHOWING through strong, but not overwhelming, descriptions and TELLING through script-worthy dialogue
• Diverse, well-developed characters – Keep in mind that not everyone is beautiful, people have scars (emotional and physical). Your characters should all be uniquely themselves, with their own back-stories, personalities, etc.
• Conflict and Resolution – Every good story needs conflict, it’s what allows the characters to develop, adapt, and change, throughout the story.
• A satisfying conclusion – This doesn’t mean a Hollywood “happy” ending, it just means that all the plot holes have been filled in and questions have been answered… that is unless you’re leaving your readers with a cliffhanger! I have to admit, I love a good cliffhanger.
Nina Soden 
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Thanks, Nina for this helpful information. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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For me, a lot of what makes a strong story is creating unforgettable characters. I have read many books by Francine Rivers. I keep her books and re-read them because I want to write as powerfully as she does. Years after I have read one I can talk about the characters as if I had read the book yesterday. Of course, her settings are also vivid, putting the reader right there with the character.
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I completely get that. Strong, unforgettable characters is a must!!! Thanks for the comment. 🙂
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