Article: The genre you choose to write in will affect the kind of characters and plot you'll create. Pick a genre that you're comfortable writing in and passionate about. For instance, if you're interested in the strange and unusual, you might want to focus on horror or science fiction. Romance and fan fiction are two very popular genres on Wattpad. Focus on one of these for the widest audience. Doing character profiles can help you create strong, vivid characters. Start by profiling your main character. What do they look like? What's their personality? What are their dreams, goals, and fears? What significant events happened in their past? Once you've profiled your main character, move on to the supporting characters. Your story doesn't need to include all the details you put in the profiles. However, the more you know about your characters, the easier it will be to write them. Some authors like to have their plot completely figured out before they start writing. Others start with the basics and fill in the rest as they write. Many fall somewhere in the middle. All are valid approaches! Start with a simple plot outline and go from there. A great way to start thinking about plot is to think about questions you want your story to answer. For example, the Lord of the Rings trilogy answers questions like, "What happens when the fate of the world rests on the shoulders of a hobbit?" and "What happens when friends embark on an exciting and dangerous adventure together?" The goal of your first draft is to get the foundation of your story on paper (physical or digital). You're not necessarily trying to write a perfect story at this point. Focus on getting your characters on the page and writing out the events you want to happen. Don't focus too much on grammar and spelling at this stage. Correct basic stuff as you go, but you'll do intensive editing later. Wattpad stories can be different lengths, from novelettes (about 7500 words) to full length novels (over 40,000 words). Write as much as you need to tell your story without padding it. After you've written your first draft, go through your story and read it carefully. Correct grammar and spelling mistakes. Look out for parts of the story that don't make sense and revise them. Add character detail, context and subplots, as needed. Ask friends and family to read your story, too. They can give you important feedback as you make your revisions. Improvise your edits and continue to hone your story until it feels complete to you. It should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. All of the chapters are important, but make sure you begin with engaging chapters to really hook your readers. Polish any outstanding grammar and spelling errors. Focus on making the final product as professional as possible.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Choose a genre for your story. Write profiles for your characters. Figure out your basic plot. Write a first draft. Review and edit your story. Complete your final draft.