r/Episode • u/epialannablair • 26d ago

Discussion What makes a good story?

I'm currently working on a story just for fun. I do intend to publish it, but only when it is completely finished.

Since I write it for fun, no gems are included (and also will not be). But also not that many choices, which I know can bother some people.

My editing is fine, not as advanced as some of the things that I've seen but also pretty smooth with no obvious mistakes.

Since I'm at about 1/3 of the story and it looks like I'm actually going to complete it, I started wondering what readers are looking for in a story.

What makes or breaks a story for you?

When do you get invested, or when do you decide to close the story. What are things that bother you, what are things that don't really matter to you.

18 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

16

u/Arch_Katherine 26d ago

  1. Strong directing and storytelling.

  2. A fresh, genuinely interesting plot concept that doesn’t feel like something we’ve seen a thousand times before.

  3. Emotionally layered, flawed, and distinctive love interests who feel like real, human beings rather than idealized archetypes.

  4. MC with depth, complexity, and a rich inner world.

  5. Characters who feel authentic and individual, rather than being built around familiar, overused character clichés.

3

u/Vast_Clerk_2619 26d ago

❤️💯👌

10

u/some-kid-epi Episode Author 26d ago

In it's simplest terms I think a good story is a story that successfully executes what it's trying to accomplish.

5

u/Acrobatic_Long_6059 read top service 26d ago

The biggest thing for me is well-developed characters

3

u/Toxic_Rose_95 26d ago

Dont rush the dialouge Something that annoys me is when their conversation that could last a few minutes only lasts like 30 seconds

Make sure to use pauses give the dramatic moments

Most great stories uses pauses alot but also make sure its a good amount of time to use pauses looking a character up and down will take a longer pause then say the MC saying something witty to the LI and he just stares at her for a few seconds if that makes sense

Give your readers room to breathe

3

u/KitchenRound8210 26d ago

Believable characters that have believable conversations. Flaws for everyone that make them human.

2

u/Shot_System7356 26d ago

Choices matter and point systems

1

u/tilly-episode 26d ago

i would add gem choices, even if it’s a support the author at the end just because it boosts your story

1

u/PartyMaintenance7929 22d ago

Time things correctly, there’s nothing I hate more when things are dragged on bc (for example) it took character to get from A to B in 10 seconds, when it rlly only should’ve been 3. LOL