I strongly believe that.
A good storyteller can make any story, irrespective of the (clichéd) plot, interesting. Recently, I left a book unfinished (actually many) because I didn't find it interesting, and enjoyed another book in the same genre; similar story, well almost.
Pick a genre and you would realize that stories are more or less similar; it's the storytelling that makes a (big) difference.
So, how to tell a story effectively? How to develop a style that grips your reader right from the beginning? Let me share, as a reader, a few things that work for me.
When I think of good storytelling, I think of one of my aunts. She used to tell stories, real life stories (mostly eerie), in such a captivating way. And she is not even a writer.
To be a good storyteller, you don't have to use poetic language. Lyrical language has its value, of course, however the more important thing is that the reading experience should be entertaining and joyful.
If the story isn't entertaining, lyrical language ka hum kya karenge?
Sometimes, the essence of the story gets lost in the shadow of purple prose. Keep your voice reader friendly, and tell the story without really telling. 'Show, don't tell'; the only rule I follow.
Here comes the role of dialogues: pleasant, endearing dialogues that tell a lot about the characters and their bonding, without really telling. Also, they help the story pick a pace and move in an interesting manner. Adding unnecessary dialogues (or any sequence, for that matter) ―something that doesn't add anything to the story ―is not a good idea.
And then, of course, the characters! For me, as a reader, the protagonists are the strength of the story. I cannot enjoy reading (or writing) a story if I don't like the protagonists; if I don't connect with them, if I don't feel for them. No matter how unique the story is. Create relatable and likeable characters. They don't have to be too good to be true, but they have to be real. They have to react in a realistic/plausible way.
Also, no matter what genre you're writing in, a delicious touch of romance and humour always work. It just enhances the flavour of the story.
The greatest power of a story is that it takes you to another world. Sometimes in the moments when you are looking for an escape. So, tell me a good story.
क्योंकि कभी-कभी सिर्फ कहानियां होती है जो आपसे बातें करती हैं; कभी-कभी सिर्फ कहानियां ही होती हैं जिससे आप बातें करना चाहते हैं।
This post is a part of Blogchatter Blog Hop
I too think that the characters are the most important elements of a story.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading. 🙏
Deleteकभी-कभी सिर्फ कहानियां होती है जो आपसे बातें करती हैं; कभी-कभी सिर्फ कहानियां ही होती हैं जिससे आप बातें करना चाहते हैं।
ReplyDeleteUff!!
😊💫
DeleteAs a reader, plot and characters always go hand in hand for me. I can forgive a bad plot if the characters are interesting.
ReplyDelete😊😊
DeleteAgree with all the points. बाकी, मुझे लगता है कि लिखना और कहना दो अलग अलग टैलेंट हैं। ये जरूरी नहीं है कि जो अच्छा लेखक वो अच्छा दास्तानगो भी हो और जो अच्छा दास्तानगो हो वो लेखक ही हो। हाँ, कहानी और अपने माध्यम की समझ दोनों को ही होती है। घर में कई दास्तानगो मिल जाते हैं। मेरी बूढ़ी दादी (दादाजी की मम्मी) भी ऐसी ही थीं। वो इतनी अच्छी कहानियाँ सुनाती थीं कि घंटों उनके पास बैठे रहने का मन करता था। आम लोगों, गाँव के आपसी झगड़ों का और गाँव के लोगों का इतना सजीव वर्णन होता था तो वो अपने आस-पास ही चलते फिरते साँस लेते महसूस होते थे। हाँ, ये कहानियाँ हर बार अलग तरह से सुनाई जाती थीं। मूल कहानी वही लेकिन हर बार कुछ जुड़ता घटता रहता था तो बात की सच्चाई में शक होते हूए भी बातें सुनने में मज़ा आता था।
ReplyDeleteसही कहा आपने।
Deleteपढ़ने के लिए शुक्रिया। :-)