The Craft of Writing a Compelling Story

Writing is an art form that many aspire to master, but few truly understand the intricacies involved in crafting compelling narratives and many are curios: “how to write a good story” or “where to start”.

In a recent episode of the “How I Write” podcast with David Perell, writer Nat Eliason shared valuable insights into the writing process, discussing everything from storytelling techniques to the challenges of transitioning from online writing to long-form content.

The Power of Storytelling

One of the most significant realizations Eliason had in recent years is the importance of storytelling in capturing readers’ attention and making a lasting impact. He noted that while concise, factual guides have their place, they often appeal to a relatively small, niche audience.

To truly resonate with a broader readership and potentially influence culture, mastering the art of storytelling is crucial.

Eliason shared an interesting anecdote about his journey from writing non-fiction to exploring fiction as a means of conveying complex ideas:

“I started writing a non-fiction book about some of that and about that premise and I got about 20,000 words into it and I said this is boring… I said what if I took those ideas and put them in a fast-paced thriller sci-fi apocalyptic situation and made a mass market Jurassic Park style book that addresses the same topics and presents the same conclusions but in something that millions of people could read that could be made into a movie?”

This shift in perspective highlights the potential of fiction to reach a wider audience and make abstract concepts more accessible and engaging.

Crafting Compelling Dialogue

One of the key elements of effective storytelling is writing convincing dialogue. Nat shared several insights on this topic:

1. Relevance to the story’s conflict: Good dialogue should always relate to the main problem or conflict in the story, advancing the plot or revealing character motivations.
   
2. Creating tension: Even friendly conversations in a story should have an element of tension or adversarial nature to keep things interesting.
   
3. Unexpected responses: Using redirection or non-verbal responses can create intrigue and keep readers engaged.
   
4. Economical yet purposeful: Dialogue should be concise while still conveying necessary information and emotions.
   

Eliason emphasized the importance of making every line of dialogue count, ensuring it serves a purpose in moving the story forward or revealing something about the characters involved.

The Art of Description: Less is More

When it comes to descriptive writing, Eliason shared an enlightening example from John Steinbeck’s “East of Eden.”
The passage described an apple pie in simple yet evocative language, demonstrating that effective writing doesn’t require flowery or complex vocabulary. Instead, it relies on:

1. Appealing to multiple senses: Incorporating sight, smell, touch, and taste to create a vivid mental image.
   
2. Thoughtful pacing: Using sentence structure and punctuation to control the reader’s pace and focus.
   
3. Sequencing: Moving from broad to specific details, creating a cinematic effect.
   

The key takeaway is that common language can have an uncommon effect when used skillfully to describe everyday experiences.

The Writing Process: Challenges and Strategies

Nat openly discussed the challenges he faces in his writing process, particularly when transitioning from online writing to long-form content like books. Some of the main obstacles include:

1. Lack of immediate feedback: Unlike online writing, where engagement is instant, book writing can feel isolating and uncertain.
2. The “taste gap”: Recognizing good writing but struggling to produce it consistently.
3. Balancing self-criticism with progress: Learning to appreciate improvements while still striving for better quality.
   

To overcome these challenges, Eliason employs several strategies:

1. Seeking targeted feedback: Sharing work with trusted editors or peers to gain perspective and validation.
2. Reading widely: Exposing himself to various writing styles to address specific areas for improvement.
3. Focused practice: Identifying weaknesses and deliberately working to improve them.
   

The Importance of Reading and Learning

A recurring theme in Eliason’s approach to improving his craft is the value of reading extensively.
He emphasizes the importance of not just reading for pleasure, but reading with intent to learn and grow as a writer. This involves:

1. Identifying areas for improvement: Recognizing aspects of your writing that need work.
2. Seeking out exemplary works: Finding authors who excel in the areas you want to improve.
3. Studying and absorbing: Immersing yourself in these works to internalize their techniques.
   

Eliason likens this process to a study on toddlers in orphanages who instinctively chose foods that addressed their nutritional deficiencies.
Similarly, writers can intuitively gravitate towards the reading material that will help them grow in areas where they feel lacking.

Structuring Your Story

When it comes to plotting and structuring a story, Eliason shared his approach to his current sci-fi novel project.

He starts with a clear end goal in mind, then works backwards to create the necessary events and character arcs that will lead to that conclusion. This method involves:

1. Establishing the ultimate outcome: Knowing where the story (or series) will eventually lead.
2. Creating inciting incidents: Developing the events that set the characters on their journey.
3. Filling in the middle: Connecting the beginning and end through a series of challenges and developments.
   

This approach provides a solid framework while still allowing for flexibility and discovery during the writing process.

Overcoming Writer’s Block and Self-Doubt

Like many writers, Eliason has grappled with self-doubt and the fear of not meeting his own high standards.
He shared a perfect example of how this struggle can manifest, referencing David Foster Wallace’s “Infinite Jest”:

“David Foster Wallace in the beginning and the emotion in his writing and it’s very clear that he wrote Infinite Jest to try to write something that was good enough to him and he failed… The one of the main characters in the story is just horribly suicidal because he never thinks his work is good enough.”

This cautionary tale underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective on one’s work. Eliason suggests adopting a “it’s good and it can be better” mindset, acknowledging progress while still striving for improvement.

The Transition from Online to Long-Form Writing

One of the most significant challenges Eliason faced was transitioning from online writing, with its immediate feedback and shorter format, to the long-term commitment of writing a book. He described the experience as “driving me crazy for months” due to:

1. Lack of immediate feedback: No instant validation or critique from readers.
2. New writing style: Adapting to a completely different approach to storytelling.
3. Extended timeline: Working on a project for years rather than weeks.
   

To combat these challenges, Eliason eventually sought feedback from his editor, which provided much-needed validation and motivation to continue.
This experience highlights the importance of seeking support and external perspective during the writing process, especially when venturing into new territory.

Embracing the Journey and Learning How to Write a Good Story

The insights shared by Nat Eliason offer a valuable glimpse into the mind of a writer navigating the complexities of the craft.

From the power of storytelling to the nuances of dialogue and description, these lessons provide a roadmap for aspiring writers to hone their skills and find their voice.

Perhaps the most important takeaway is the recognition that writing is a journey of continuous learning and growth.

By embracing challenges, seeking feedback, and constantly striving to improve, writers can push through self-doubt and create work that resonates with readers.

As Eliason’s experience shows, the path to becoming a better writer is not always smooth, but it is invariably rewarding.

Great writing is not about achieving perfection, but about connecting with readers and sharing stories that matter.
So keep reading, keep writing, and most importantly, keep growing.

(Source: “How I Write” podcast with David Perell and Nat Eliason)