on Writers Helping Writers:

There’s no better feeling than being in the hands of a great storyteller. They have command of the details we need to know, the scenes we need to see, and there’s a lock-step feel to the way the story advances. Strong storytelling isn’t just a unique premise or a character we love.

Strong storytelling is rooted in trust.

Trust in the person who has crafted the story, but also trust in the viewpoint character. If we feel as though the character shares with us everything they know and allows us to be along for all critical moments of their story, we can feel as though we are that character.

Let’s discuss three very simple ways you might be breaking your reader’s trust, intentionally or not. We’ll also cover what to do so your reader feels like those strong storytelling hands they’re in are yours.