Writing Engaging Fictional Narratives

If your story doesn't hit in the first 5 seconds It's Over You don’t get minutes to earn attention anymore. You get moments. That’s why the best ads today don’t start by selling. They start by storytelling, fast. Take this campaign: It opens like a zombie thriller. Not a product demo. Not a stat dump. Not a polished brand shot. But a story that grabs your brain before it even knows what it's watching. So why does it work so well? 📌 It uses genre to create instant tension Within seconds, we’re in a world. It’s not just an ad, it’s a scene. A story. One you can’t look away from. 📌 It anchors emotion before explanation We feel before we understand. That’s what powerful stories do 📌 It educates through narrative By the time we realize the message (synthetic materials take 200+ years to decompose), we’re already emotionally invested. 📌 It aligns cause with creativity This isn’t preachy. It’s precise. The storytelling is the message. The product is the punchline. Want to build content that hits like this? Here’s a storytelling framework to try: 1️⃣ Hook with conflict Every good story starts with tension. Show us something broken, scary, or just plain weird. Make us lean in. 2️⃣ Introduce transformation What changes? What insight or solution comes next? Keep us moving through the arc. 3️⃣ Reveal your message last Don’t start with “what”, start with “why care.” Let the product or idea emerge from the emotion. 4️⃣ Make it feel cinematic Use sound, visuals, pacing, not to show off, but to bring your audience into the moment. 5️⃣ Keep it short, sharp, and story-first We’re in the TikTok era. But attention spans haven’t died, they’ve just gotten pickier. Stories still win. Always. The best storytelling doesn’t sell the product. It sells the belief behind the product. And if you want your brand to rise above the noise Stop pitching. Start telling better stories. #storytelling #branding #sellwithstories #marketingtips I share storytelling and creativity to help you and your company sell more and grow. Let's Connect! 1. Try my other course on LinkedIn Learning: https://lnkd.in/gTh8R5Mc 2. Join 10,000 others learning weekly growth tips at: https://lnkd.in/eCDKabp2 Use the 3-Act E.P.I.C Structure to turn stories into sales: https://lnkd.in/e9_eczTG 3. 3 Ways To Grow Guide: https://lnkd.in/gZaq56hT (no sign-up needed)

Most stories start slow. Background. Introductions. Safe build-up. By the time you reach the good part the reader is gone. The best stories begin in the middle. → Film Example – The Dark Knight It doesn’t open with Batman. It throws you straight into a bank robbery. Chaos. Masks. Guns. You don’t know what’s happening, but you can’t look away. That’s tension pulling you in. → Brand Example – Airbnb They didn’t start with “We are a marketplace for booking short-term stays.” Instead, they began with the raw human story: Two guys in San Francisco couldn’t pay their rent. They put three air mattresses in their apartment and rented them out to strangers. That middle-of-the-problem story made investors and customers lean in. → Email Example – StoryFirst Workshop Instead of writing “We are excited to invite you to our workshop…” You begin in the middle: Two guys couldn’t pay their rent. That tension created Airbnb. Your brand story can have the same pull if you start in the middle. And then you segue into your product, your invite, your CTA. Whether it’s a film, a brand pitch, or an email the rule holds true. Don’t crawl to the drama. Start with it. 👉What’s your story’s middle — the one moment of tension you could start with today? #DreamersAndStorytellers #BrandStorytelling #MarketingTips

1 Technique Founders Can Use To Tell Engaging Stories Whenever I coach top directors & managing directors on public speaking, "How can I be more engaging to my audience?" - gets asked constantly Here is 1 technique that can keep your audience at the edge of their seats 😎 👉 Narrate the scene but speak out the inner dialogue. Example 1: If you want to be engaging you can say, “The MRT had a blackout” (THE SCENE). “Oh no! This is my childhood nightmare coming alive!” (INNER DIALOGUE). Go straight to saying out the inner dialogue. ⛔ If you narrate too much, it becomes overwhelming data that distracts the real storytelling message. Think of it like a picture frame: - Narration is the outer frame - Inner dialogue is zooming into the character 💡 This is one of the most underrated ways to break monotony and build engagement with your audience. 🚨 The mistake is to simply narrate or verbalise all that you saw (becomes linear storytelling, more predictable and makes us less emotionally involved) Example 2: “I was a rookie with big dreams. Nobody believed in us” (NARRATION) If you examine this line, you’ll realise one of the most important components of stories which is: AN ENEMY / BIG CHALLENGE / OBSTACLE That enemy is that the person is a “nobody”. This helps build tension in your storytelling because people want to hear about pushback (else it’s a boring story right?) There is also another component here: CONTRASTING STATEMENTS “I was a rookie with big dreams. Nobody believed in us” (CONTRAST) “I was a rookie with big dreams. We wanted to be top in the company” (NO CONTRAST) You can clearly see the difference here between the two right? The 1st sentence builds context to your IDEAL STATE. The 2nd sentence tells everyone how CHALLENGING it will be. Contrasting these forces side-by-side builds intrigue. So, what have we learnt so far? 1. Narrate but also give inner dialogue 2. Include an enemy/big challenge 3. Put contrasting statements to build tension Use these the next time you need to engage your audience. What do you think?

Quit stuffing your feed with “5 quick hacks.” Tell me a story instead. Last month I posted a short yarn about sprinting through Mumbai rain to pitch a client, soaking wet, heartbeat louder than my slides. An editor from a global magazine DM’d me within the hour: “Loved the cinematic rush - can you write that feeling for our readers?” We’re now working on a column together. Zero outreach. One story. That’s the power you’re leaving on the table every time you swap narrative for bullet-point advice. Here’s what happens when you start treating LinkedIn like a bookshelf, not a billboard: • You magnetise attention • You earn memory real estate (people remember scenes, not stats) • You spark inboxes - DMs turn into coffees, coffees turn into contracts • You signal depth; anyone can google tips, only you own your plot Want to give your feed a plot twist? Try this framework next time you hit “post”:  1. Open on a moment, not a message. Drop the reader right into the rain, the silence before the pitch, the missed flight - whatever your inciting incident is.  2. Raise the tension. What was at stake for you? Make me sweat with you.  3. Deliver the change. Show the lesson, the surprise, the win or even the flop. Both work if they’re honest.  4. Invite the reader in. Ask, “When did you last feel that rush?” Now it’s our story, not just yours. Repeat weekly. You’ll craft a mini-series your network waits for like Friday night TV. Remember: Consistency matters, but only if you consistently make me feel something. Stories do that. Metrics alone don’t. So - next post you write, ditch the spreadsheet screenshot. Start with the scene that made your heart race. Let me run beside you. PS. If you drop the first line of your next LinkedIn story in the comments, I’ll riff on a closing hook for you. Let’s turn your feed into a page-turner.

Why some LinkedIn posts go viral, & others barely get 50 likes? After studying over 250 viral posts, here's what I found: → No, they won't comment for 4 hours a day. → Please, it's not tagging top creators. → No, it's not luck either. "𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭-𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺" Here’s how you can do it too: 1. A Strong Outline is the Foundation: The first thing I noticed? "𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦" Viral posts have a clear roadmap: → They start with a hook → Build up the narrative → And end with a powerful punch → Every word has a purpose In contrast, your posts might be just a stream of thoughts. There’s no plan for where you're taking the reader. → Lesson: Before you write, outline your post. Know your hook, the build-up, and your conclusion. ------------------------------------------------- 2. Tension Keeps Readers Engaged: The second thing? "𝘛𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯" Viral posts create: → A sense of curiosity from the start → They hint at valuable insights but → Don’t reveal everything at once → Keeping readers engaged to find out more. Your posts, however, may give away everything in the first few lines. No tension means no reason to keep reading. → Lesson: Build tension. Make your readers want to keep reading. Don’t give everything away upfront. ------------------------------------------------- 3. Emotion Drives Action: Viral posts don’t just inform: → They make you feel something → They share personal stories → Tap into common struggles → And connect on an emotional level If your posts are all facts and figures with no emotional hook, they might feel safe but forgettable. → Lesson: Tap into emotions. Whether it’s joy, frustration, or inspiration, make your audience feel something. ------------------------------------------------- 4. "YOU" are the key: Finally, viral posts are genuine: → They’re raw, honest, and personal → They don’t try to impress → They share real experiences If your posts are trying too hard to sound professional, they may lack authenticity. → Lesson: Be real. Share your experiences, your failures, your wins. People connect with people, not perfection. ------------------------------------------------- Going viral on LinkedIn isn’t about algorithms, luck, or gaming the system. → It’s about understanding the psychology of engagement → Crafting a narrative that resonates → And telling a story that matters ------------------------------------------------- If you found it valuable: ♻️ REPOST → help more people achieve decent engagement on their posts.

Without the right framing, your message vanishes. 🫠 Research shows the human brain forgets 70% of new information within 24 hours. The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve isn't just theory. It's why your brilliant ideas get lost. Master storytellers know a secret: Structure creates cognitive tension that fights natural memory decay. 6 storytelling tactics to make your point unforgettable: 1️⃣ 𝗝𝘂𝘅𝘁𝗮𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - Create stark contrasts that simplify complexity - Makes change feel tangible - Example: "Last year we chased customers. This year, customers chase us." 2️⃣ 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - Set a rhythm, then intentionally break it - Our brains are wired to notice the unexpected - When patterns shatter, attention spikes - Example: "The best way to sell... is not to sell." 3️⃣ 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 - Start with the results, then explain the journey - Hooks curiosity from the first moment - Example: “Today, 92% of users complete onboarding in under 10 minutes. Three months ago? Less than 50%. Here's how we got there…" 4️⃣ 𝗢𝗻𝗲-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 - Build your entire narrative around a single term - Weave it through every point and example - Creates unity that makes your message stick - Example: "Everything great happens on the 𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 — 𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 of comfort zone, consumer demand, and innovation. We must sharpen the 𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 together as a firm." 5️⃣ 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 - Start simple, then layer sophistication - Makes complex concepts instantly graspable - Each analogy builds on the previous one - Example: "Leadership is like conducting an orchestra. Each musician has a unique instrument (skills). The conductor sets the rhythm (direction). And orchestration is the key (teamwork)." 6️⃣ 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘁 - Drop a bombshell, then... pause - Let tension hang in the air - Gives weight to your most important points - Allows emotional processing of difficult truths - Example: "50% of our revenue will vanish if we don't act." (pause for 3 seconds) Which technique will you try in your next presentation? ♻️ Find this valuable? Repost to help others. Follow me for posts on leadership, learning, and excellence. 📌 Want free PDFs of this and my top cheat sheets? You can find them here: https://lnkd.in/g2t-cU8P Hi 👋 I'm Vince, CEO of Sparkwise. I help orgs scale excellence at a fraction of the cost by automating live group learning, practice, and application. Check out our topic library: https://lnkd.in/gKbXp_Av

If you've been following along with these Wednesday writing tips, then you know that one of my main points is that your writing should be felt. I've talked about several ways to do this, but allow me to take a moment to introduce (or reintroduce) you to tension. Tension is not the big argument or the intense sword fight. It's what comes before it all. Tension is found in the quiet moments when a character knows what to do, but worries about what it will cost. It can be found in the unspoken or shown in a simple look. Regardless of the angle you take, the principles are the same. Stakes: Know what your character will win if he/she does win, but don't make this your main question. Instead, ask, "What will he/she lose if they do win?" Spectacles are awesome to read or watch, but tension relies on consequences. Show more to the audience, show less to the character: There's a trap in your story. Show it to the audience before your character. This stems from Hitchcock's "bomb under the table" point. Mix internal and external conflict: High-stakes action is always fun, but internal conflict is just as impactful. Think of Luke Skywalker fighting Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi. The Emperor taunts Luke at a critical moment, and we see him wrestling with the idea of striking down his father. It makes us wonder if he'll stay in the light or fall to the dark. The keyword is wonder. Wondering opens the door to tension. Delayed release: Don't rush to resolve conflict. Stretch out the tension like a bowstring. The more the string pulls back, the more impact your tension-filled arrow has. Love as tension: When there's a deep love, there's a deep pain when it's threatened. Think about The Princess Bride. Although funny and wholesome, we worry for Westley and Princess Buttercup's relationship when she's sent off to Prince Humperdinck. That pain felt from Westley and Buttercup's separation becomes a force that makes it hard to look away. When you're working on a story and conveying your wide range of feelings, add some tension. It leads to that "edge of your seat" moment and keeps us all engaged. #Writingtips #screenwriting #tension #feelings #RandallWallace

The art of suspense. (A genre I do love!) The scariest frame is the one you don’t see. I’m writing this because I enjoy sharing notes of our craft. Some of the most successful films lean on the unseen.  They let our brains think of the worst, imagination can be more scary than the visual on screen, and the budget will be thankful for this! Here’s why it works (and how we can use it): A good example at home… RGV’s Agyaat stalks a crew with an unseen predator—fear by sound, POV, aftermath. Varma has said the film was influenced by Predator, Aliens, Anaconda and The Blair Witch Project (1999) Further hits using our own Folklore (as i discussed in a previous post) = Stree. The film riffs on Karnataka’s “Nale Ba” legend, walls that read “O Stree, kal aana,”  off-screen abductions, town-wide paranoia. It adapts an urban myth and plays the threat mostly in our heads (not on screen). Jaws is the masterclass. The mechanical shark kept breaking, so Spielberg pivoted to barrels, dorsal fins, reactions, and score. Restraint turned chaos into suspense, and into a blockbuster. (Jaws is widely credited as the first “summer blockbuster.”)   The Notes… if you love this genre and want to play with it on your creations... Design the off-screen. Plan what’s beyond the frame: sound cues, eyelines, shadows, aftermath. (Noël Burch’s “off-screen space” is the playbook.)   Substitute markers. When you can’t show the thing, show its effects: ruffled curtain, scratched door, a phone vibrating on the floor. Barrels > shark.   Pay off late. Delay the reveal; let the audience write the monster. Practical guides back this: suspense escalates when we’re certain something is there but we can’t see it. A 20-second “Unseen” format for creators (try this just for fun): 1. 0–3s: Reaction shot + specific sound from off-screen (metal drag, distant whisper). 2. 3–8s: Eyeline → empty hallway. Insert a marker (a rolling bottle moving away frame). 3. 8–15s: Cut to aftermath (fresh scratch marks; lamps light up). Keep the source of what happened off-screen. 4. 15–20s: Pay off with information, not the thing (a map with one room circled; a text: “Don’t open the door”). Bottom line: In an era where AI lets us render anything, restraint is a feature, that still works very well. The unseen isn’t a limitation, it’s leverage

You've heard countless people advising you to share your story here on LinkedIn. But very few tell you HOW to do it. So, here's my top 5 tips for getting your story out there. Why is this important? - People resonate with real people, with real stories. - When you learn to tell yours effectively, you become WAY more likeable, relatable, and trustworthy. Here we go: 1) Identify Key Themes and Messages - Before sharing your story, identify the key themes and messages you want to convey. - What aspects of your journey define YOU as an entrepreneur? - Whether it's resilience, innovation, or a commitment to a cause, having clear themes will help structure your narrative and resonate with your audience (for me, it's the Accidental Success aspect) 2) Highlight Turning Points and Challenges - Embrace vulnerability by sharing turning points and challenges in your entrepreneurial journey. - Discussing HOW you overcame obstacles not only adds authenticity to your story but also provides valuable insights to others who may be facing similar struggles. - Authenticity builds trust and makes your story more relatable. 3) Showcase Your Passion and Vision - Clearly articulate your passion for your work and the vision that drives you. - Share the "WHY" behind what you do. - Expressing genuine enthusiasm for your work and a compelling vision for the future captivates your audience and aligns them with your mission. 4) Use Vivid Descriptions and Anecdotes - Make your story memorable by incorporating vivid descriptions and anecdotes. - Help your audience visualize scenes from your journey and connect emotionally with your experiences. - Descriptive storytelling allows people to step into your shoes, creating a more immersive and impactful narrative. 5) Craft a Consistent Tone: - Develop a consistent tone (or voice) that aligns with your brand personality. - Whether it's a conversational style, a touch of humor, or a more formal approach, maintaining a consistent tone across your storytelling helps create a recognizable and authentic personal brand (I like to add some humor into what I say) - Consider how your tone reflects your values and resonates with your target audience. Remember, YOUR story is a dynamic and evolving entity. Regularly revisit and update it as your journey progresses (mine has taken several twists and turns, and I bet yours has too) Ensure that it remains relevant, authentic, and compelling to your growing audience.

Storytelling should be a required course for every student and professional. Because it’s the only way to truly change minds. When I first began writing, I realized that without a story, my words only reached the intellect. To truly resonate, writing must touch both the head and the heart. As I began teaching writing, I realized few people truly were taught how to weave story into their writing — especially when writing articles, posts, or books. Here are seven techniques I teach to help weave storytelling into anything you write: 1. Start with a Hook: Your opening lines are your first, and sometimes only, chance to grab your reader's attention. Use an intriguing question, a surprising fact, or a vivid scene to draw them in. 2. Show, Don't Tell: Rather than stating facts or feelings, show them through actions, dialogue, and sensory details. This technique helps readers experience the story rather than just reading it. 3. Create Relatable Characters: Real people are actually characters to those of us who don’t know them. Treat them that way to your readers, and describe them in ways that bring them to life, whether your spouse, boss, or colleague is a character in your story. 4. Build a Compelling Plot: Stories need something to happen —- action. Use conflict and tension to create suspense and propel your story forward. 5. Use Vivid Descriptions: Paint a picture with your words. Descriptions should be vivid but relevant, enhancing the story without overshadowing it. 6. Include Dialogue: Dialogue brings life to your writing. It's a powerful tool for revealing character traits, advancing the plot, and adding realism. 7. Create a Satisfying Conclusion: Your ending should tie up loose ends and leave the reader with something to think about. A great conclusion makes the journey worthwhile. From Theory to Practice In my own journey, whether writing 'Super Mentors' or 'Pennymores', I've learned that storytelling is not just about entertaining. It's a tool for conveying ideas, sharing experiences, and connecting deeply with your audience. Remember, the most effective writing doesn’t just speak to the mind; it speaks to the heart. By mastering storytelling, you’re not just a writer; you become a storyteller, leaving a lasting impact on your readers. Now, it's your turn. Take these principles and weave them into your next piece. Watch as your words gain power and your stories leave imprints on the hearts of your readers. #StorytellingInWriting #NarrativeTechniques #EngagingContent #HeartfeltWriting 📖💡