Last week, a friend, who’s an excellent writer, submitted a short story that didn’t land with our critique group. But when the author spoke about her submission, we all perked up. Her premise was unique and compelling, the protagonist interesting and likeble, and not only was her plot action-packed, the story felt important. So, what happened? Why did the writer captivate us with her oral storytelling, but bore us when she attempted to put her story on the page?

Great oral storytelling that falls flat on the page is more common than you might think. The main reason being, that most of us naturally know how to tell stories to our friends. We naturally use a casual tone, as opposed to a stiff, formal one. We naturally start with a headline grabber (what’s most important) instead of telling our story chronically, and we remember to explain why someone does something. We don’t just describe their actions. We know to lead with conflict, irony, emotional stakes, surprising character traits, or the central dilemma, too.

But often when we shift from oral storytelling to writing, all of these techniques, suddenly go out the window. A big part of this is because storytelling and writing are different mediums. But the disconnect also occurs many writers don’t always realize that they’re losing their audience. They don’t see that what’s in their heads isn’t translating to the page. So how do you know if that the great American novel that’s in your brain, isn’t finding its way onto your computer screen or into your notebook?

1. Write a two-minute verbal pitch and compare it to your manuscript. Ask yourself, does this page create the same feeling as my pitch?
2. Ask yourself, if someone reads my pages, would they tell my story with the same enthusiasm as the pitch does?
3. Ask beta readers, what do you think my story is about? What makes you curious? Where did your attention drift, and what do you think happens next? From their responses, you should be able to tell if readers are engaged by what you’ve written.
4. Also, if your beta readers are confused or not emotionally invested, this will tell you that parts of your amazing story haven’t found their way to the page.

Getting back to my critique group meeting, and what happened there. If readers focus on the topic of your piece and its potential, as opposed to the writing itself, it likely means that the storytelling aspect of your work needs strengthening.

So how do you amp up a flat story?

1. Give every scene a purpose
2. Make your character want something
3. Raise the stakes
4. Make sure that readers know enough about your protagonist to care about them
5. Let your characters make decisions
6. Vary the pacing
7. Ask questions and delay answers
8. Make conflict about more than fighting
9. End scenes with questions

It’s worth noting that many talented writers have borrowed oral story telling techniques to enhance their fiction. James Joyce experimented with stream of consciousness writing that resembles inner thoughts, Mark Twain created narrators who used conversational tones, Zara Neale Hurston focused on the rhythm of words, and David Sedaris wrote essays that were polished versions of stories he told. Consider using orally storytelling techniques such as these, to add voice and appeal to your novels or short stories.

If this post spoke to you, leave me a comment! Thanks for reading. Keep writing and enjoy your literary journey!