This is every authors nightmare. Getting the story and plot correct. After all, getting this rigth makes or breaks your book.

So what does it take to write your perfect story?

1. An idea of a plot.

Every author starts with a basic idea. From this they either write a whole plot or a more simpler plot, expanding the idea as much as they need to. It’s at this stage, that the story begins to build.

2) The beginning.

Now, this bit can be a bit sticky. The start must be right to draw in the reader. Get this bit wrong and kiss that reader goodbye. They say to start with some type of action – a fight, dialogue. I admit some of mine are more narrative, but sometimes the action isn’t required right at the first line. Whatever you do, don’t start with the weather – that is always overused.

3) The middle

And you thought the beginning was hard. The middle bit is the part which must carry the reader onwards and towards the end section. The pace must be enough to keep their minds intrigued. And this is where most authors struggle. They know where to begin and where to end, but the middle? How the hell do they fill in the gap?

Think about the plot and characters. How do they fit together? Are they matched and synched? This is where you can add all the extra info you sorted out and plotted. But make sure you don’t just add all the actual plot in one go. Spread it out.

I write dark romance which touched on most taboo subjects most writers shy away from. However, there has to be quite a bit of lighter notes. So, the middle is where I have my couples learning more about each other. Dating, going out. Happiness is the key. Give them enough happy moments to bring them through the darkness, I’m going to throw at them later.

3) The end

Ah, the bit we writers enjoy the most. This is where we have been heading with all the trials our mc’s have put up with.

Whenever you have a plot, you know where it’s heading – how it’s all going to end. And this is where the magic happens. That perfect ending – no longer fits. And so the screams begin. The ending you have ploughed through the beginning and the awful middle it, doesn’t go anymore.

So, you sit and stare and rewrite the whole ending in your head. But, you also realise the ending is so much better.

The meaning of the above?

Write the book, the way you want. Simple. The rules can be broken if broken correctly. No book is better than another – each must draw the reader in and readers like all sorts of things.