What Makes a Good Story?

We have all been exposed to stories – from the books, we read as kids to movies and theatre productions, we may have attended. I have many fond memories of the memorable characters, inciting action, and magical adventures that I was able to experience through a good story.

As adults, stories are even more relevant in our lives – we encounter them every day on social media and in advertising, and of course, through inspirational non-fiction books – Daring to Drive by Manal Al-Sharif, Finding Me by Viola Davis, Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox, and Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey – to name a few.

Stories are how we share our experiences and the number one way we can build connections and relate to others.

 

Storytelling on social media is quite different than that in book writing.

With social media, stories are typically shared through short, consumable content with a call to action. There are multiple opportunities for us to engage with our audience. It’s more forgiving because we can try different techniques and find what works for us.

A story needs a complete beginning, middle and end when writing a book. Readers choose books based on the title, cover art, back cover and recommendations, so it’s crucial to have all the pieces in place to make your book successful right from the beginning.

Everything your reader needs should be within the book. Not only that, but if you want to keep your audience turning page after page and then going on to recommend your book to others – your story needs to be relatable, memorable and authentic.

 

We all have stories to share, but there’s a reason certain books have hit the best-seller list.

And it’s not because the author is more important or has a more compelling story to share. The way you share your story makes a difference too.

Storytelling is constantly evolving. However, the principles behind a great story are timeless.

I will share ten key elements of writing a good story in this article. As a book coach, these are the common elements I look for as I support my clients in sharing their stories.

These are the secrets of good writers, and this information will be invaluable to you if you are considering or are currently in the process of writing a non-fiction book.

Let’s get started! Because I would love to help you take your good story and make it a great story!

 

10 Key Elements of a Good Story

1. A Strong Start

The way your story starts, especially that first line, is everything. You’ll want to begin your story in a way that grabs your audience’s attention.

From the first line alone, readers will subconsciously begin to evaluate your style of writing and develop expectations for what is to come. Believe it or not, they may even formulate an opinion about whether or not they will enjoy the rest of the book.

For example, starting with the climax or the gut-punch message of your book is a great way to intrigue your readers. But, of course, keep your information private; you want them to read the book!

2. A Memorable Ending

The way your book ends will be what the reader remembers; after all, it was the last thing they read from you.

The ending should leave the reader with a feeling of resolution.

They should have all the information they need or further resources to continue exploring (e.g., your second book). If you’re writing a book that explores something in your life you are still working through, consider sharing your next steps with the reader or ways they can continue to follow your journey.

3. A Clear Premise

Just like building a house, your story needs a strong foundation. But first, you must focus on an insightful theme, core message, or problem you wish to address.

The telltale sign that you have an apparent premise is that you can summarize the essence of your book in one sentence. This one sentence will come in handy for sharing/pitching your book in the future. Remember, the more quickly you can hook your reader, the better.

4. An Impactful Voice

If you want people to listen, you have to speak their language.

The best books are written in a strong but friendly voice and, most importantly, paint a picture of who you are.

Imagine yourself telling your story to a friend sitting next to you on a couch or in your favourite hang-out spot. How would you tell the story if you shared it with your nana/grandmother in her favourite rocking chair?

Of course, share your expertise, but remember to keep the flow conversational.

5. Authenticity

When it comes to non-fiction, people want to read raw and authentic content. As humans, we are emotional and social beings. So when you can share your story in a way that makes your reader feel connected to you, you have struck gold in storytelling.

The best story is vulnerable and transparent, so the more comfortable you are with sharing the details of any struggle you may have faced, the more impact you can have.

A great way to keep your book authentic is to share examples; this helps to support any lessons you provide and is a great way to draw readers into your world.

6. Good Flow, Readability

Your book must have a good story structure and pace to keep your readers interested. This is why it’s so important to spend time creating an outline before you start writing.

If you’re thinking – oh no, an outline, how do I do that? Not to worry, I’ve put together a great free guide that explains how to write a book outline.

In terms of story structure, you want to ensure a beginning, middle and end, some form of rising action, and a resolution at the end. In addition, your story should be cohesive and focus on meaningful content related to your premise (see element #3 above).

For pacing, keep some things private! Instead, allow your story and lessons to unfold throughout the book, building on your core message more and more with each chapter.

7. An Inspirational Journey

Even though I’m in the business of supporting non-fiction writers, I can’t help but use a good fiction narrative to exemplify this one.

Consider the Hobbit, a tale of Bilbo Baggins, the protagonist, who leaves his quaint home in the Shire and embarks on a spectacular journey filled with twists and turns. He returns a hero, and it is clear that he has evolved since he set out on his unexpected journey.

People want to be inspired.

They want to hear about the journey you’ve been on – where you started, how you got there, the challenges you overcame, where you are now, and where you see yourself in the future. Even though they may not be the most lighthearted parts of your story, people want to hear about the tension and conflict you faced and how you overcame these challenges.

In life, we are always on a journey, so take your time with outcomes, results or feeling like you need to have it all figured out. The ups and downs are what make your story memorable.

Think back to your favourite book – what were your favourite parts? How did the author keep things interesting?

8. A Great Title & Cover Art

Remember how I said a strong start hooks your reader? Well, the title and the cover art entice them to pick your book up off the shelf.

Keep your title short and memorable, and provide a clue as to what your book is about. One-word titles can be great, but it doesn’t hurt to include a sub-title to provide more context.

Cover art can be anything from a photo of you, a photo of another person or place, or even something colourful and flashy that makes your book stand out from the rest. Humans are visual creatures, so something appealing to the eye can give your story the extra edge it needs.

You may be thinking, Catherine.. the title and cover art aren’t part of my story – oh, but they are! They are what makes people fall in “love at first sight” when it comes to books. A great title and cover art represent your story.

9. Actionable Items

Most people buy non-fiction books because they want to learn something.

So what better way to bring them along on your journey than to make them active participants?

Tell your readers how to apply the lessons detailed in your book to experience transformation in their own lives. Consider including questions for reflection or direct actions they can take to start seeing a change.

10. Smooth Transitions

Your outline ensures a great flow from one idea to the next, but it’s also essential that your reader has a smooth transition between each chapter. Readers should feel free from needing to read the previous chapter’s last paragraph again, or worse, flip back to the beginning of the chapter before starting the next one.

Including a summary of critical points is a great way to ensure that your core message hits home. You can do this in many fun ways (e.g., an anecdote or short story); it doesn’t have to be a boring bullet list!

Chapters can also wrap up nicely with quotes or lessons learned – this provides a quick way for your readers to access important information in the future. I have even seen some books make this page a different colour for easy access!

Phew… we got through the list!

I know this sounds like a lot, but there is so much to consider when sharing your own story and writing your non-fiction book – and I want you to succeed.

From my experience, these ten elements keep readers interested and yearning for more.

Remember, writing a book is so much more than words on paper.

A Great Story is about …

It’s about sharing your experience.

It’s about inspiring others.

It’s using your voice to make an impact.

My door is always open if you need support with writing a good story.

Book a coffee chat with me, and let’s talk about how we can share your story in a way that showcases how amazing you are.

Catherine x