Good story writers try as hard as they can to make their reader feel like they are a part of the story. One way to do this is to show, not just tell.
In the example above, it would be boring if I wrote "The boy was scared. Really, very, so, so scared." Instead, I tell how the boy's face looked when he was afraid. I tell what his hands did and I tell what happened to his voice when he was petrified. It's more interesting this way.
In the example above, it would be boring if I wrote "The boy was scared. Really, very, so, so scared." Instead, I tell how the boy's face looked when he was afraid. I tell what his hands did and I tell what happened to his voice when he was petrified. It's more interesting this way.
Another trick story tellers use is to think about the mood of the entire story. If you want a scary story you'll describe things differently from a carefree comedy.
Take a look at the different ways I can write "The boy went up the stairs." I change my verbs and descriptive details depending on the mood I want for my story.
Take a look at the different ways I can write "The boy went up the stairs." I change my verbs and descriptive details depending on the mood I want for my story.