Questions readers ask

As writers, we have to answer the questions that readers will ask. These questions intrigue the reader to read further into the story. Think of these questions as the "What happens next?" questions. Here is a list of some questions that are important, as writers, to address.

• Whose telling the story? And why are they telling the story?
• Who does the story belong to?
• What characters am I with when the story opens?
• Why does the story begin at this particular moment in the character's life?
• Why is this event different from any other event in the character's life? What is distinct about it?
• Where are you when the story opens? (i.e. season, time of day, location, etc.)
• What is at stake for the main character?
• What do the main characters want? What is it that they are dieing for lack of?
• What do my main characters fear? What motivates or pushes them?

Exploiting any one of these questions will make the reader tick. These questions make the reader want to read more because they want to know the answers.