Are you looking to publish your work on Kindle Vella but need help figuring out where to start? Sure, you have a great story in mind, but that's only the beginning; crafting your story is a key component in determining your work's success. In this post, I will share 10 writing tips for aspiring writers on Kindle Vella.
Start with a Strong Hook
The opening of your story should be engaging and memorable. Your opening needs to grab your reader's attention and make them want to stay for the "and then..." of your story.
There are many ways to craft a strong hook, such as a question, a fact, or a vivid description. Intriguing dialogue or a captivating monologue could work here as well.
In Thrall, I open the story with a countdown followed by building pressure which ultimately blows up in the protagonist's face. In the first episode of my Vella Thrall, I allow life to blow up in the face of my protagonist, who's spent years of her life fighting to make something of herself, only to inexplicably take it all away in an instant. Now the rest of my story, or the "and then" of my story, will dive into who this character is and why terrible things keep happening to her.
Develop Your Characters
Your characters are the heart of your story, so make sure they beat strong. Develop them well by giving them unique personalities, distinguishing marks, ticks, habits, and traits. Ensure that they have practical strengths, weaknesses, and quirks. Remember, the key is to make your characters enjoyable, relatable, and memorable.
In Thrall, my characters have complex and intertwined histories. However, each character is still able to function as a stand-alone. My characters have their own voice, so their actions and behaviors show them for who they are. Take Mordecai, for instance, the protagonist of my Vella Thrall. Mordecai has a complicated past, being orphaned by her family and raised in a convent until she came of age and was abruptly tossed to the wolves to fend for herself. Mordecai's entire life can be described in one word "persevere," and she's over it. Mordecai is forced on a journey of self-discovery in a new magical world she knows nothing yet everything about, and it scares her, but she keeps pushing on despite her persistent desire to call it quits.
Create Conflict
"Keep 'em Invested" is the name of the game! The readers are here for a reason, so give them what they want. Having conflict in your story will not only add depth to your characters, but it will make your work more interesting.
In the first episode of Thrall, the conflict Mordecai faces motivates the reader to keep going. The reward is them discovering what happens, followed by another "and then...".
Your readers want to see the messiness in your character's life, so give it to them! This will keep readers engaged and invested in the outcome of the story.
Show, Don't Tell
In the words of Melanie Martinez: "Show and Tell, I'm on display for all you f****** to see, show and tell... Buy and sell... Like I'm a product to society". Your character is a product of the society you created for them; now, it is your job to show your readers how the characters maneuver or misstep through it. This is best done by showing the reader what is transpiring instead of outwardly telling them what happens. Your reader is there to experience the story events with the characters, so give them the opportunity.
I open the first episode of Thrall with a countdown. This not only gets the reader wondering, "what's the timer for?" but it places them in the scene and shows them the events.
So instead of saying: the clock counted down from five minutes and the Proctor loudly called time.
I write Five minutes... 3 minutes... 1 minute... 30 seconds... "Time!!!" The Proctor screeched as she stood atop the teacher's desk...
Edit Ruthlessly
I wrote and rewrote the first 6 episodes of Thrall at least 3 times each, and to this day, I say to myself, "I could have worded that better". However, that's one of the beautiful things about Kindle Vella. Not only can you go back and edit your work, but you can treat it as a work in progress.
Though I recommend forgoing any constant editing of your work after its initial publication on Kindle Vella (your readers' time is valuable, so give them your best). Once you hit the submit button, it isn't the end-all-be-all.
When editing, be willing to cut scenes, rewrite, and make hard decisions that will benefit your story. Though it may be tough to swallow, concessions may be necessary to take your account to the next level.
Use Dialogue Effectively
Dialogue is a powerful tool for revealing character and advancing the plot, so use it effectively with a natural and realistic tone unless your personality calls for it. Though I love great dialogue, I understand it can sometimes become overwhelming. Thus, I am learning to have my characters speak when it is fitting and not just because I want to hear them talk (again, your reader's time is valuable, so give them your best).
Create a Sense of Setting
I am guilty of leaving this bit out, but your reader must know where they are physically and chronologically in the story. I love stories that have flashbacks; it allows for more character development. However, sometimes the time skips must be clarified for your readers, who may need help transitioning. This could lead to a loss of interest in your work, so ensure you are clear on when and where you are in the story.
The second episode of Thrall opens with a scene from Mordecai's past. I use a "_____" to act as a page break to indicate to the reader that there is a change in the story. This way, they can better separate the opening scene of episode two from the current events in the story.
Your story should have a strong sense of place. Use details to paint a vivid picture of the world your characters inhabit, and make sure it's consistent throughout the story.
Write with Purpose
Though you may have a lot to say, ensure that what is being shared is relevant to the story and its goals. As I mentioned earlier, my characters have very complex and intertwined histories. However, only some things must be revealed simultaneously, and not everything needs to be constantly revisited.
Avoid rambling in your work and stick to what is relevant. This way, you can ensure the events of each scene adds context to the overall narrative. This way, you can better meet the expectations of your audience and maintain their engagement throughout your story.
Embrace Your Voice
This is your story! Tell it to us in your voice. Your reader is coming to you for the story, so tell it to them how only you can. Remember, your voice is uniquely yours and yours alone. It is meaningless to try and imitate the voice of others, mainly if it results in a shotty narration. Embrace your voice. Even if it hasn't fully matured, you still have time to cultivate it into something uniquely yours. In the long run, you and your audience will benefit from it.
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In conclusion, writing for Kindle Vella requires dedication and discipline. By considering these 10 Tips, you will craft your work to be engaging and captivating, enabling your audience to have no choice but to want more.
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As always, thank you for joining me on my creative entrepreneurship journey! Remember to like, comment, and share. Also, follow my socials and check out Thrall on Kindle Vella, the 1st three episodes are always free!
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