On Time!

Have you ever read a book that completely rushed the plot and left so many unanswered questions in the end? Yea! Me too!

When you're righting a book, SLOW DOWN! Those important and exciting parts will come eventually.

We don't want the main characters to share their first passionate kiss in the THIRD CHAPTER. You have to build suspense and make the readers keep wanting to read towards the magically moment(s).

It's basically like an indirect spoiler when you rush the plot! We all hate spoilers!

Now when I say wait, I don't mean take forever to where the reader loses interest. You have to find that balance.

Now depending on the type of story you're having and how the plot plays out it's up to you to place the special and significant moments in the right spot.

Make sure there's genuine feelings within the main character before they blindly do those special things, like have sex for the first time or kiss.

Before you make that scene, think!

Will my readers yell, "FINALLY!" and lose their heads to where they blow up your comment box.

You don't even have to make that moment happen RIGHT THEN.

Which leads me to: TEASING!!

We all love a little teasing! It's the flirting, the awkward tensions, the things we know that the other characters don't and the "ALMOST SCENES"

I love the almost scenes. Those are the ones where the two characters barely have their special moment before it's ripped away (or cock blocked), which takes away the whole vibe and the readers take a deep breath because they were so happy to see it ALMOST happen. You get me?

Those type of things keeps your audience interested, but don't overuse this strategy because then they'll leave out of bordem! It's good to use Almost Scenes maybe three times, but not back to back. You can scatter the use a little but don't wear it out!

This is why I say PLAN!! Don't just start writing or creating your story without a blueprint, perhaps! You have to have the beginning, middle and end all sorted before you start! I know right. I sound like your English teacher, but it's true!

In depth, try to jot down your intro, rising action, climax, falling action then resolution.

Intro: Introduces the characters and the setting/situation. By that I don't mean you should start out like, "Hi, it's me, Hannah Baker." NO DONT DO THAT. It doesn't work for everyone, trust me. Just because it worked for Jay Asher doesn't mean it'll work for you! If you can manipulate it somehow, GO FOR IT! Don't let me stop you!

For an example, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the Triwizard Tournament is announced to be happening in Hogwarts. Since this was the third or fourth book in the series, JK Rowling didn't need to introduce Harry, Hermione and Ron again.

Advice: you can start with action to where the reader is wondering about what's going on. Your character can be running in the woods from something or screaming for their life. The intro is the most important part of creating a story; the beginning/intro is the bait to hook your reader.

Rising Action: This is where your story starts to talk toll and/or leads to the most important part(s) of your story, which is the climax. This is also important because you're basically building foundation for your story. Give us background knowledge of your character, show us the love Interest(s), point out the MC's weaknesses and strengths. You should make this section fairly lengthy and detailed, but not to the point where it's overwhelming!

For an example, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire, when Harry goes through his challenges in the tournament.

Climax: This is where the story gets good. Everyone jumps their bones and goes crazy! Whether it's betrayal or something revealing to where it acts as a turning point. It doesn't necessarily have to be a turning point. It can be the most exciting thing. All your reader knows is that something exciting or significant is happening! The story is so good at this point that everything else becomes unpredictable!

For an example, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, he meets Voldemort for the first time when he's in the maze.

Advice: While you're creating your story try to hold off other exciting things in the beginning of the story so you can put it in the climax. A lot of people usually have trouble with making their climax epic because they've already made their character do everything in the beginning. Fairly spread your events out like sauce so that everything will be balanced.

Falling Action: This is the section that shows how the characters recover. What happens after the climax. What will your MC go through next? What are the effects (results or consequences). At this point your story should be getting closer to the ending. Let your character fall on that foundation you set up in the rising action. For an example, how will your characters personality save them? You don't have to use that question as the falling action? It's just a starter question. You are creating your story, so use your jazz!

Advice: Put yourself in your MC's position. What would you do after your climax? If you're creating your story based off a true story or personal experience then what did they do?

Resolution: The ending is probably the most crucial! Make sure there isn't any plot holes! Make sure all questions are answered... UNLESS.... you're leaving a cliffhanger for a sequel or second book in your series. This is the wrap-up! You are setting your foundation with setting spray to lock everything together. Where does your character leave off? Is your character a better person? Did you character improve or become worse?

Advice: Try to leave a happy ending unless you're making a series. If your making one book then make sure there's a happy ending. You can even catch us by surprise and be an author to make an epic ending with a no-so-happily-ever-after. That'll surely be a twist that everyone talks about! It's all about you and you're creative. To be an author you have to be a mastermind manipulator of your own mind!

PLAN AND MANIPULATE!