A lot of my current teaching of writing is based around the idea of triggers , triggering a reaction in your reader so that they feel part of the story.
For example, if you make your reader feel cold using the right imagery, you’ve involved them in the story. Same with fear, anger, heat etc.
To come up with the triggers, you need to use your reader’s associations. Every reader is different but you could play on:
* Their memories
* Their connections to places and people
* Their prejudices and preconceptions - OK, this can mean writing some tough material, depicting characters with whom you have no affinity but if you want your reader to react that getting them angry about a character is a good way; it also makes them love your hero/heroine more.
Plenty of time to enter this month’s Global Short Story Competition at www.inscribemedia.co.uk
John Dean
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