The best writers know exactly how to keep you reading.
All it takes is a little understanding of basic brain chemistry.
Let me show you:
All it takes is a little understanding of basic brain chemistry.
Let me show you:
Many writers when they start just throw words out there and hope some of them stick.
Then they become upset and frustrated when nothing resonates with their audience.
I want you to think about this scenario in a different way:
Then they become upset and frustrated when nothing resonates with their audience.
I want you to think about this scenario in a different way:
Would you send an untrained violinist out to perform with the world's greatest orchestra?
Well, why do you think writing is any different?
True writers are centre stage.
Audience watching.
You can't be the untrained violinist and hope to perform a symphony.
We must prepare.
Well, why do you think writing is any different?
True writers are centre stage.
Audience watching.
You can't be the untrained violinist and hope to perform a symphony.
We must prepare.
Your audience isn't stupid.
They can spot the untrained eye a mile away.
However, if you ask them what makes them fascinated, they'll say something like:
"I don't know, I just couldn't stop reading!"
"I had to know how it finished."
"I had to get the answer."
They can spot the untrained eye a mile away.
However, if you ask them what makes them fascinated, they'll say something like:
"I don't know, I just couldn't stop reading!"
"I had to know how it finished."
"I had to get the answer."
They don't know why, but they keep going.
Here's the catch:
The writer knows exactly why.
They know how to catch the audience like a fish on a hook.
So, what is it that causes people to keep going down the page?
It's a process known as Open and Closed Loops.
Here's the catch:
The writer knows exactly why.
They know how to catch the audience like a fish on a hook.
So, what is it that causes people to keep going down the page?
It's a process known as Open and Closed Loops.
Why when we tell a story to our friend do many of us start with:
"You won't believe what happened to me the other day!"
Why don't you just tell the person what happened?
Because it doesn't create curiosity.
What the line above does is create something known as an Open Loop.
"You won't believe what happened to me the other day!"
Why don't you just tell the person what happened?
Because it doesn't create curiosity.
What the line above does is create something known as an Open Loop.
You want know the answer.
Yes, tell me what happened to you the other day!
When this happens, our brain releases a chemical known as cortisol.
If you don't already know this, that's the chemical your brain releases in response to danger and angst.
Stress.
Yes, tell me what happened to you the other day!
When this happens, our brain releases a chemical known as cortisol.
If you don't already know this, that's the chemical your brain releases in response to danger and angst.
Stress.
Yes, you feel physical stress because you don't know the answer to something.
So what happens when you get the answer?
Satisfaction.
Finally the question has been answered.
Your brain produces dopamine.
The 'happiness' chemical.
You feel relieved!
So what happens when you get the answer?
Satisfaction.
Finally the question has been answered.
Your brain produces dopamine.
The 'happiness' chemical.
You feel relieved!
Truly great storytelling is playing on the release of cortisol and dopamine.
It's like a see-saw bouncing up and down - providing you with open loops that need to be closed.
It's like a see-saw bouncing up and down - providing you with open loops that need to be closed.
I want to show you an example of this through the first line of a masterpiece.
The first line from Hunter S. Thompson's 'Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas' reads like this:
The first line from Hunter S. Thompson's 'Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas' reads like this:
"We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold."
What are your thoughts reading this?
I imagine they're like mine:
Drugs?
What drugs?
Why are they in the desert?
What were they doing before?
What are your thoughts reading this?
I imagine they're like mine:
Drugs?
What drugs?
Why are they in the desert?
What were they doing before?
A tsunami of questions floods the brain.
You have to know the answer!
You keep reading.
This is great writing.
Curiosity.
An itch that must be satisfied.
You have to know the answer!
You keep reading.
This is great writing.
Curiosity.
An itch that must be satisfied.
So, when you're writing your book, thread, newsletter, article, whatever...
Use curiosity.
Open loops with your audience.
Close them in varying frequencies.
Some last from start to finish.
Some for a few pages.
Some for a paragraph.
Use curiosity.
Open loops with your audience.
Close them in varying frequencies.
Some last from start to finish.
Some for a few pages.
Some for a paragraph.
If you do this, you'll create an audience that can't get enough of what you write.
Your content will be too succulent to ignore.
You'll become a powerful storyteller.
Your content will be too succulent to ignore.
You'll become a powerful storyteller.
Thanks for reading.
If you enjoyed this one, follow me @TheWritersGift
If you want to spread the word, RT the first tweet through the link below ⬇️
Have a wonderful day, writers.
If you enjoyed this one, follow me @TheWritersGift
If you want to spread the word, RT the first tweet through the link below ⬇️
Have a wonderful day, writers.
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I've written a FREE 10-step guide to help you solve this exact problem.
Grab it here: thewritersgift.gumroad.com
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