Tips to make a story more interesting?

[Princessmossy]

I feel like my stories are boring. If I'm bored of the stories that must mean that my readers are/will be bored of it too right?
What do you do to make a story more interesting? I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong so I can't really give you an example... maybe I'm too slow to get to the action? I don't know...

[Down_the_Rabbithole]

Not to sound pretentious or anything, but I find irony makes a story more interesting. There's just something about expecting one thing and getting the opposite that gives something some spice. And it can make a whole bunch of different effects.

Irony can be humorous.
Example: the most powerful man in the world is the size of a toddler.

It can be tragic.
Example: a young child has to take care of their parent.

It can even be scary.
Example: the biggest threat in the world can take you down without touching you.

Those are just my ideas. This may not work for you and the stories you want to tell, but I found it helped to spice things up for me.

[shazzbaa]

What part of the story feels boring to you?
Is it the concept and the characters? Like you just can't get into them? I think @Down_the_Rabbithole's thoughts can be a good way to break out of rote archetypes, especially -- like, even just taking two tropes and mashing them together in an unexpected way can make a character feel interesting!
I'd also encourage creators not to hold back on the thing they really really love. If you like a particular type of story or character but you avoid it because you're afraid it might be too cliche or self-indulgent, you might be cutting out the very thing that makes your story interesting to you!

maybe I'm too slow to get to the action?

Or do you have an interesting concept that you like, but as soon as you sit down and try to write the story it feels boring and tedious? A bunch of different things can cause that, but pacing is one -- I don't think it's necessarily an issue of action vs. non-action, but it's REALLY easy to include a lot of boring stuff that feels like you need it, but you really don't. Writers talk a lot about cutting out as much of the first part of the story as possible -- starting "late" in the story and skipping the stuff that's less interesting. Even if that uninteresting stuff is things you need to know later, that doesn't mean you have to start the story with it!! You can skip it, and find ways to show us that information later.

Whenever I have a chapter that's needed, but feels like it's going to be going through the motions because there's nothing really interesting in it, I look for anything interesting I can add to it. "My characters have to go meet this other character, and that sounds super boring... what if they're also having X problem and they run into that character in the middle of it?"

[punkarsenic]

you're right, generally - if youre bored, your readers will be. even if they like the story, they could pick up on that.

so, i guess, do lots of thinking and find a story that excites you. bend genres, look through prompt sites, make 1000 OCs then scrap 999 of them - only stick with what you really like, because then youll enjoy it, and your readers will.

that being said, theres a chance your readers arent as bored as you are, and you only feel that way because you can never be better than your own standards. since youre writing the story, itll always feel predictable, because you know whats gonna happen.

[NickRowler]

It really depends what about your story is "boring".

Honestly, if you want to make something more interesting, you need to have a struggle. The character should have a flaw or another person or an event which causes "drama". Having a strong conflict also helps.

[AtaraxiaStudios]

This is not technical advice, but maybe it would help to keep in mind:

Stand out of the way and let the story write itself through you. When you try to overthink how to make it interesting, it will impede its authenticity.

If you want technical advice (and this is mainly for writing): Flesh out the characters. The story is told through them. Also, avoid info dumping, fold any information evenly throughout the story.

[Vanadis]

Add dinosaurs and explosions.
Failing that, there's ninjas. Crystals. Dragons. Sexy girls. Sexy boys. Sexy dragons. Sexy dinosaurs...

Hehe seriously though, every story needs a good conflict. Think about what conflict there is in your story, what the characters are up against, what challenges they must face. Don't hand everything to them on a plate.
Secondly, and also very important, is character development. You have to LOVE your characters (or HATE them. Strong emotions, here!). Develop them, let them have flaws (the more the better!), let them learn from their experiences and react and change and develop over time. Make sure your characters act according to their own unique perspective, background, and personality. Think about characters that clash with each other and introduce them :'D
Good luck!

[indagold]

I dunno, if you're having serious doubts as a writer why not just read more, watch movies more and look at things which are story driven and see what's done right and done wrong? Maybe look up writing exercises, tips and tricks and go on a writing intensive site for help. It's not an easy answer.

[insomniascrawl]

For me at least, the most interesting part of a story is it's characters. When I think about shows like Parks and Rec, nothing about it, situation wise should be funny, but the characters and their chemistry and conflicting personalities make it interesting and make it work. I try and focus on my characters the most and their chemistry because people like to feel a connection and the more involved a person can feel with the life of another character can keep a story interesting, like checking in on an old friend.
Totally my opinion though.

[ryoko]

Why not Zoidberg?

[ryoko]

OK, now for a serious answer: Think about what makes stories that you read and enjoy interesting for you. I think we all as writers/artists go through phases where we think our stories are boring to ourselves or our readers even if it's not true. Do you have a reason to think this in the first place, like someone saying something negative, or do you feel overwhelmed trying to get your comic uploaded?

[Princessmossy]

I do feel overwhelmed! It's a very hard thing to do especially for me for some reason. I'm very busy with school and although I'd like to work on my comic more I'm already struggling to keep my head above water with my schoolwork.

I thought about distancing myself from my main story and trying to do little practice short stories but I haven't even been able to work on those with school in the way.

But before all this started I found my story boring too so I thought I'd ask. The main reason I can't continue surely must be stress from school but I also found it boring so I thought that maybe I'd ask.

[scythe]

Oh boy, writing is hard.

Just a few things to keep in mind.

Makes the 'stakes' clear and important.

Give your characters flaws and shortcomings, then present them with problems that challenge those traits.

Always ratchet up the problems. Pile them on.

Overlay (or is it underlay) some subtext. For example, you comic might be a guy travelling the world, meeting people, hooking up, seeing the sights, trying new things, fun for him yes, but for a reader? Meh, nothing new. Why not make it so he's abandoned his wife and kid, all of a sudden, there's conflict. Now all that fun stuff he's doing is tainted.

Someone mentioned irony before. Brilliant.

Just remember, this is fiction. Pretty much life with all the boring bits taken out. So if you're worried, just cut out anything 'normal' or mundane. Even if you're writing a drama, dialogue and actions don't have to be replications of real life. Make it tense, build in some mystery, introduce characters the audience will love to hate.

[ryoko]

I know just what you mean about being overwhelmed. Finding a balance between everything you have to do in life and drawing/writing can be very difficult and stressful. Will you be getting some time off during December and the beginning of January from classes? I know that doesn't always mean not having homework over that period of time, but just having a break from going to classes might help if you're able to get more rest and be able to have some down time.

Regarding drawing, something you could try doing is taking small breaks, like 10-15 minutes, while in the middle of studying, listen to some music and just allow yourself to draw. That doesn't mean drawing your characters or comic specifically, it just means letting your brain go in whatever direction if wants to, even if it's scribbling to the beat of the song. Sometimes doing this can trigger your creative process and 'wake your brain up'. There's no stress in getting something done, it's just you being spontaneous. I've done this and suddenly had some great random ideas for things I've gone on later to draw.

Anyways, I hope you find something that works for you. It's really tough balancing everything, but you're asking great questions to try and help yourself.