I just got back last night from the Golden Gate Conference at Asilomar. It was a great time with fabulous people, and I remain jazzed.
One of the keynote speeches was delivered by author Gary Schmidt, a master storyteller on the page and, I can safely say, off the page as well.
One of his central ideas was that writers need to make sure their readers are asking “what happens next?” all through any story. That question keeps the reader turning the pages to get to the end.
To some extent, I think this can be true in blogging, as well, on two levels.
The first is simple – any well written post will have the reader wanting to keep going, wanting to get to the end. It might not be the “what happens next?” of a mystery or emotionally compelling story (though it can be), but simply the fact that there is craft in writing a good post.
On a bigger level, though, I think that one reason I follow many blogs is because I also want to know what happens next to and for the blogger(s). I suspect this is true of many, not just me.
To me, this is where authors, illustrators, and other artists can really shine. They’re storytellers… and people get invested in stories. On your blog, you can tell your own. You can let people connect so they want to stick around to see what happens next.
Most of the time, the “next” plays out slowly and through small anecdotes mixed in with posts that aren’t necessarily personal. Yet, even those posts are continuing to build connection.
Sometimes, though, a blogger has bigger news – a book deal, a great signing, an award, a job. And I know I genuinely feel happy (or, as appropriate, sad) right along with them. I’ve been waiting for what happens next.
This does mean, at least for me, that there needs to be a person… a voice… a spark in what I’ve been reading, even at a blog that is largely about dispensing information rather than anecdote. It doesn’t mean I need to know about the blogger’s kids or personal life or other details. I just need a person there at the core.
I think our natural instinct is to wonder “what happens next?” If a story fails to interest us, we stop asking. A good book makes the question bigger and bigger and drives us forward. On a blog, it may play out slower… but I think that arc is there nonetheless.
You may think I’m completely wrong. If so, I hope you’ll let me know. In fact, I can’t wait to see what happens next….
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Greg,
This is sage advice, expressed succinctly and well. I believe that the unfolding of story is integral in every relationship, in the sense that a bit of mystery or anticipation holds interest. There should be the element of surprise as well as the feeling that a person is offering to share self and experiences without boasts or dominance. I’m trying to accomplish this and offer my readers words to lead them to return to my monthly online magazine, http://www.yumyourworld.com. I hope you will visit and comment. I’ll be following you on Twitter….
Thanks,
D.
GREAT points!
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Great insight, Greg! As I sit here and think on the blogs I follow I realize you are right. I do want to know what happens next, lol. Hmmm, like being invested in the blog.
Wasn’t he fantastic? I felt like I was in a Svengali trance indeed wondering what was going to happen next…and I already know the story of Humphrey the Whale. Loved the way you tied that into blogging. I’m starting to get it. Thanks for lighting the way.
Thanks for the comments, y’all… and yes, Gary Schmidt was fantastic. When you have a whole room of people wondering “what happens next,” you’ve certainly demonstrated your point!
.-= Greg Pincus´s last blog ..You Don’t Say? =-.