Do not confuse traits with facts. Ages, shoe sizes and job titles do not make an interesting character. Are they impulsive or thoughtful, trusting or suspicious, assertive or passive?

Elements in backstory and traits that really matter for the story need to be released slowly: through flashbacks, dialogue, or actions. This gradual discovery keeps learners intrigued and invested.

Exploring different perspectives in personal storytelling enriches the narrative by fostering a deeper understanding and empathy toward the characters and situations involved

How, when, and why a reader is exposed to information in a narrative matters because it determines how the plot unfolds and impacts the audience's understanding and engagement with the story.<span class="white-space-pre"> </span>

Always lead with emotions when showing instead of telling.

And one of the best ways to cut out that boring fluff is to enter the conversation as late as possible.

When writing dialogue, it’s also good to bounce quickly back and forth between speakers, like a tennis match.

<p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Before writing a conversation, take the time to ask yourself what key purpose(s) the conversation will serve. Most often, conversations work to resolve or create tension, establish context, or reveal new information that moves the story forward.</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">With an established purpose in mind, you can begin writing dialogue with the confidence that you're adding value to your story rather than setting readers up for boredom.&nbsp;</p>

One easy way to identify dialogue missteps, however, is to read your story's conversations aloud.&nbsp;If the dialogue doesn't flow when spoken, you'll know exactly where to revise your work.