Thread by @dongwon

So many manuscripts I read are just... a sequence of stuff happening. A plot isn't just stuff that happens. A character isn't just someone stuff happens to. A book isn't an accounting of stuff that happened.

A book has to be *about* something.

Plot derives from character. If your character isn't interesting then no amount of interesting stuff happening will make your story interesting.

What makes character interesting? Stakes. There has to be something at risk for your character. It can be small thing: a toy being taken away from a child, a job promotion, the regard of a friend.

What's at risk for your character? If I don't know that by the end of the first page, I'm bored. If I don't care about their struggle, then there's no amount of interesting action that can save you.

Stakes for a character derive from worldbuilding. What's the world they live in? What matters in this world? Professional reputation? World ending magic swords? The rules of your world determine what stakes make sense for your character.

All of these combine around the nebulous core of what your book is about. In high school you're taught to think of this as theme, but as a writer, no need to think of this in such blunt terms.

This is your hook though. The worldbuilding, the stakes, the character, all combine to give the reader a reason to pick up your book, to keep reading past the first page.

Don't just write stuff happening. Have a point of view. Say something. Contribute to the conversation.

Otherwise, don't waste everyone's time.

You can do this, I know it. Keep working. Keep digging. Write better stories.

Do the thing.

uhhh... #querytip I guess. 🤷‍♂️