What Makes a Story Stink? Readers Speak Up!

We’re bringing back the whiteboard this week to talk about what makes a story STINK! You may have caught my post last week about what makes a story GREAT...according to my creative writing class. Well, I asked them the opposite question recently and, holy guacamole, these guys had some passionate opinions on the subject!

At first, I found it surprising that they had so many more things to say about what they DIDN’T like to see in a story. But after thinking it over, it made sense. It’s easier to identify things we dislike, whereas we don’t always know why we love certain things–we just DO. They work. They click. We can relate in some way.

It’s a lot like food (i.e. I HATE ONIONS <—true fact). I can pick out the nasty, spawn-of-Satan flavor of an onion easier than I can identify what I LOVE about a dish that has many pleasing ingredients which work together to create a delicious harmony on my palate. I think this analogy can carry over to art as well.

I thought my class had been quite enthusiastic about expressing what “makes a story great“, but they became even more animated and adamant about what they disliked! I had to find creative ways to squeeze in their many ideas on the subject. Again, my apologies for the messy whiteboard in the photo below–I did not know I would be turning our brainstorming session into a blog post at the time!

What do you think? It’s a pretty exhaustive list, isn’t it?! Do you have anything to add to it? Which ones resonate the most with you?

Here are my top 5 picks on what makes a story stink!

  • No clear point or mission.
  • Big plot holes and/or disconnected backstory.
  • Insta-love.
  • High stakes with zero casualties.
  • TELLING INSTEAD OF SHOWING (the carnal sin of storytelling!).

So…that was difficult! I think there are many great points to consider. I’ll definitely be looking over this photo from time to time to see if my latest project will pass muster with my YA audience!

And, hey! In case you missed it…these exercises with my creative writing class have lead to my first ever short story contest here on my blog! If you missed the details, check out this blog post and get busy writing 😀

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  1. Oh no! I have both cliffhanger endings and I kill off characters and resurrect them. Not sure if my story could survive in the hands of these students lol

  2. I hate onions, too! That just makes you a better person in my opinion. Also, that is an excellent list! I think the things I hate the most are an unlikable/unrelatable mc and killing characters solely for shock value. Ugh!

    1. Girl, I already thought we were kindred spirits—this just confirms it! I totally agree with your dislikes. I’m reading a book right now and am having trouble liking the mc. And killing for shock value means they weren’t terribly important to the plot anyway! When does your book release???!!!

      1. Gah! I’m hoping late June, but I’m having the worst time getting motivated to edit the crazy thing. I’ve been sitting on the finished draft for five months. I need to get my butt moving on it because my baby is due in July!!

        1. Oh my goodness! Let’s go! You’ve got this 🙂 Besides, editing is the fun part! Congratulations on the upcoming baby. Hope your book baby comes soon. I’d be happy to help promote it too!

  3. What? No forgetting to breathe? (It’s cliche but used right, I actually like that trope. So long as it’s not Bella in Twilight. 😉 )

      1. Literally forgetting to breathe, I can agree with your students. 😉 No fainting Bella’s please! But I do like it as an emotional expression type of thing.