9 Writing Strategies Used by Top 1% Authors
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Introduction
Award-winning storytellers don’t succeed by accident. They employ deliberate, time-tested techniques that elevate their work from good to unforgettable. In this article, we explore nine proven writing strategies used by the world’s most successful authors—techniques that separate bestsellers from forgotten manuscripts.
1. Don’t Become a Conflict Junkie
While conflict is essential to storytelling, relentless conflict exhausts readers. Ursula K. Le Guin reminds us in Steering the Craft that no narrative can be sustained on a single element alone.
The Strategy: Alternate between conflict-heavy scenes and emotionally satisfying moments. A brutal confrontation followed by a scene of mentorship or kindness creates rhythm and gives readers moments to breathe. This variation maintains reader engagement far better than non-stop action.
2. Show the Equation, Not the Answer
Andrew Stanton, creator of Finding Nemo and WALL-E, developed what he calls the “unifying theory of 2 plus 2.” Rather than explicitly stating conclusions, give readers the pieces and let them solve the puzzle themselves.
The Strategy: Instead of telling readers that Earth has become inhospitable due to overconsumption, show mountains of garbage, abandoned cities, and withered plants. Let readers reach the conclusion on their own. This approach works equally well for character development—show evidence of emotional barriers rather than explaining them.
3. Create Memorable Set Pieces
Alfred Hitchcock built films around “crescendos”—pivotal scenes that encapsulate the story’s entire meaning. These moments linger in the audience’s mind long after the experience ends.
The Strategy: Your set piece doesn’t need to be spectacular. Emotional crescendos work just as well as action sequences. Consider: What single image do you want to remain in your reader’s brain after they finish your book? Structure your story to build toward that moment. Focus on exposing your character’s greatest fears and desires, finding the emotional core, and aiming the entire narrative toward this crescendo.
4. Sneak In Lines of Action
Patricia Highsmith, author of The Talented Mr. Ripley, coined the term “lines of action”—potential future action hinted at in your opening chapters without yet coming to fruition.
The Strategy: Introduce character desires they haven’t yet pursued, mention upcoming trips or plans, or hint at future dangers. Even quieter versions work: showing a perfectly happy character immediately signals that something bad is coming. These subtle threads keep readers turning pages.
5. Balance the Outer Story and the Inner Story
Ron Carlson distinguishes between the outer story (plot, actions, events) and the inner story (emotions, psychology, thoughts). Most writers struggle to blend these seamlessly.
The Strategy: Don’t treat outer and inner stories as parallel tracks. Instead, weave them together within scenes, switching fluidly between action and emotional truth. Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale masterfully contrasts outward compliance with inner rebellion, creating profound tension that drives the narrative.
6. Exaggerate Your Character
Orson Scott Card advises taking human traits and pushing them further—making them slightly or significantly more extreme. Willy Wonka isn’t just eccentric; he’s flamboyantly theatrical, speaks in riddles, and remains reclusive.
The Strategy: Extraordinary characters are more memorable than realistic ones, though both have their place. Determine whether your story calls for characters readers relate to or characters who feel exotic and exaggerated. Model your approach based on what captivates you as a reader.
7. The Cameo Technique
Percival Everett frequently incorporates famous names into his novels—Bill Clinton, John Wayne, Sidney Poitier—giving readers a jolt of recognition and pleasure.
The Strategy: This technique isn’t limited to historical fiction. Contemporary novels, science fiction, and fantasy all benefit from cameos. These characters don’t need major roles; a single scene appearance suffices. The reader’s delight at recognizing a familiar name or character adds dimensionality to your world.
8. Hemingway’s One True Sentence
When Ernest Hemingway felt stuck, he’d challenge himself to write “one true sentence”—the truest sentence he knew. By this, he meant emotional honesty, not factual accuracy. A true sentence captures genuine human experience stripped of cliché and pretense.
The Strategy: When blocked, focus on honest insight rather than plot mechanics. Stack enough true sentences together, and you’ve built a novel. This technique grounds your work in authenticity that readers recognize and cherish.
9. Start with an Image
Joan Didion began writing Play It as It Lay not with character or plot, but with a vivid image: a minor Hollywood actress sitting in a Las Vegas casino. From that visual anchor, she asked, “What happens next?”
The Strategy: Let your imagination crystallize around a core image before worrying about character or plot. This visual foundation provides concrete grounding for your entire narrative and helps you maintain clarity as you develop the story.
The Takeaway
These nine strategies aren’t rules—they’re tools. The most successful authors understand which techniques serve their specific story. Experiment with each approach, discover which resonate with your voice, and watch your writing transform from competent to unforgettable.
Author’s Note: These techniques are explored in depth in various writing craft resources and masterworks of fiction. Consider studying how your favorite authors employ these strategies in their own work.