4 Techniques To Improve Storytelling

Here’s a shitload of techniques to improve your storytelling and writing.

But before we start…
No amount of fancy writing can fix a shitty story.

Unless you can come up with good stories, you’re just gonna sound like a politician who avoids questions by blurting out a bunch of “word salad” without really answering the questions.

If you REALLY want to come up with GREAT stories:

I have a set of exercises to helps you to think critically, learn more about yourself, and communicate your ideas to the world.

Trust me, I’ve taken basically every storytelling courses out there and I’ve NEVER seen a program that’s as effective as Night Owl Nation.

Don’t take my word for it…

👉 Hear what members are saying​

Don’t fucking wait. Do it now!

👉 Join Night Owl Nation.

Okay now let’s start today’s lesson:

1. Writing Hooks

More specific, the better

By being more specific, you can makes the audience feel like it’s more achievable. Notice how being hyper specific makes it even more realistic.

Not specific​
How to increase your followers fast

Specific​
Increase followers by 200% in 90 days

​Hyper Specific​
Increase followers by 206% in 87 days

Less information the better

Don’t give away the ending in the hook. By making it mysterious, it’ll intrigue the audience to want to read to get the answer.

Too much information​
Living like a recovering drug addict by being your authentic self can make you a better leader.

Mysterious​
Great leaders live like drug addicts

Be intentional with your words

Maximize the purpose of each word by being intentional. In the example below, “not giving a fuck” feels more liberating that “not care what people think”. The word “subtle” indicates that it’s not obvious so it’s probably a secret. The word “art” indicates that it’s a craft that I need to learn.

Straightforward​
How to not care what people think

Intentional​
The subtle art of not giving a f*ck

2. Storytelling Techniques

Use present tense

By using present tense, it puts the audience in the story and makes them feel like it’s happening now.

Past Tense
He walked over to my desk, so I looked up at him. Then he said…

Present Tense
He walks over to my desk, so I look up at him. Then he says…

Name your characters

By naming your characters in the story (instead of referring to them as he or she), it’s easier to keep track of who’s doing what. It also brings the audience into the story and try to picture each character in their head.

Without Names
My boss asked my co-worker if it can be done sooner. He said it was possible.

Then he turned to me and started yelling.

With Names
My boss Jerry asked my co-worker Dan if it can be done sooner. Dan said it was possible.

Then Jerry turned to me and started yelling.

Use dialogues

Instead of just describing a conversation, draw a clear picture of the scene using dialogues so people can imagine the story in their head.

No Dialogue
She told me her husband also plays the guitar and asked me if I want to see his guitar collection.

With Dialogue
With a pleasantly surprised look on her face, she said “my husband also plays the guitar!”

Then she pointed at the door with her thumb and asked “do you wanna see them?”

Describe physical emotions

When people read the details of how something felt physically, they’ll almost start to feel it in their own body. This makes the reader feel like they’re in the story.

No Physical Emotions
I was exhausted. As soon as I sat on the couch, it felt so comfortable and I couldn’t fight the urge to stay awake.

Physical Emotions
I sat on the couch, and it felt the soft cushions hugging my shoulder and my neck. I was trying to stay awake, but my eyelids were getting heavier and heavier.

3. Writing Techniques

Use dramatic pause

When you add spaces at the climax of your story, it feels more dramatic. It also catches the attention of the people who’s just scanning rather than reading every word.

Without Pause
After explaining what happened, I thought for sure Kevin was going to fire me, but then a miracle happened. He said “thank you for being honest with me.”

With Pause
After explaining what happened, I thought for sure Kevin was going to fire me, but then…

A miracle happened.

He said “thank you for being honest with me.”

Change perspectives

Using only first person perspective can get monotonous. Mix between first, second, and third person perspective to make it more interesting.

First Person Only (Boring)
I heard the doorbell ring. I saw him come in. I didn’t panic. I was surprised.

Mixed Perspective
The doorbell rang. He came in. You might be surprised to hear that I didn’t panic

Use questions

By using questions rather than statement, you can come off less preachy and more conversational.

Statement (Preachy)
People are mean. They’re always trying to put you down.

Question (Conversational)
Do you ever feel like people are mean? Like they’re always trying to put you down?

4. Editing Techniques

Read your story out loud

You want to draw in the reader and have them on the edge of their seat throughout the entire story. When they have to stop and re-read a sentence you’re taking them out of the flow.

Read your story out loud to see if there’s any phrases that makes you stop because it doesn’t flow. Keep rewriting that phrase until it reads smoothly. A better way to do this is to ask a friend to read it out loud and see where they get stuck.

Write for 7th grader

The average American reads at the 7th grade level. Simplify your writing so that a 12 year old can read it and fully understand it. You can test the reading level of your story by using Hemingway App.

Rinse and repeat

80% of your writing process should be editing. Once you’ve written the first draft of your story, go back and keep rewriting it over and over using all of the techniques mentioned above until you can’t improve it anymore.

That’s all folks!

If you liked these tips, you’re gonna LOVE Night Owl Nation!

Make sure you join today!

👋 Cheers and I hope I see you inside Night Owl Nation this Sunday!