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Fiction Writing Made Easy

#56: 5 Reasons Why Readers Stop Reading

Feb 3, 2022
Explore 5 reasons why readers stop reading novels, including a lack of meaningful events, difficulty connecting with characters, unclear story type, repetitive content, and apathy towards the plot. Learn how to hook readers in the first 5 pages, craft compelling characters, choose the right genre, and differentiate genre conventions from tropes.
18:40

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Quick takeaways

  • Starting with impactful scenes is crucial to retain readers' interest from the start.
  • Establishing genre consistency and hierarchy helps readers stay engaged by meeting genre expectations.

Deep dives

Reason 1: Opening Pages Impact

One key reason readers stop reading novels is when the opening pages lack meaningful events, overwhelming readers with backstory or exposition. To engage readers, it's crucial to start with compelling scenes that captivate their interest from the beginning. By focusing on impactful moments that signify change for the main character, writers can avoid losing readers due to a slow start.

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