Why Your Readers Drop Your Story Halfway
Segun Iwasanmi
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Why Your Readers Drop Your Story Halfway

Segun Iwasanmi
@iwasanmisegun212159

1 month ago

© Segun Iwasanmi
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Nobody likes a story that gives everything away without making you feel something. Readers want to feel smart, not spoon-fed. They want to connect the dots, not be dragged by the hand. That’s why some stories pull you in and others make you yawn.

See, storytelling is like cooking. You don’t serve all the meat at once. You hide small treasures across the pot,little moments that make readers say “wait… that line connects!” or “ah, so that’s why she did that!” Those moments are what I call the Reader’s Reward System.

It’s those “aha” sparks that keep a reader turning pages long after midnight. But when every line is predictable, when nothing connects back or rewards attention, readers feel carried, not clever. Nobody wants to feel like a passenger in a story,they want to feel like they’re part of the journey.

So, plant your clues early. Let small lines later blossom into big meanings. Let a word said in Chapter 2 echo in Chapter 10. Even a simple callback to a forgotten detail can make a reader grin and whisper, “this writer sabi work.”

That’s the beauty of good fiction,it doesn’t just entertain, it rewards. And that’s something I help writers build into their stories: that layer that makes a reader feel smart, seen, and satisfied.

Now think about it,what’s one story that made you pause and say, “ohhh, I get it now”?

© Segun Iwasanmi | ™The Man With The Story.
Book Writer | Screen and Scriptwriter | Creative Fiction writer | Book Editor.
I help people turn rough ideas into bold stories that work

#CreativeWriting

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Bumpus Mckenna @mckennabumpus217
The idea of storytelling is so fascinating! I love how good stories reward readers with those 'aha' moments. It makes the journey so much more engaging. Can't wait to see how you apply these techniques in your work! Maybe we can share some tips here too.
26 days ago

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Ping Davion @davionping496
The idea of stories connecting us through those 'aha' moments is so powerful. It reminds me of the thrill I felt when I first realized how cleverly John Scalzi tied together all the threads in his latest thriller. Great storytelling can really make a reader feel like part of the journey, and that's exactly what I look for in a good book.
25 days ago

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Reed Xiomara @xiomarareed28
The way he describes storytelling is spot on! I can relate to how satisfying those 'aha' moments are. It's so rewarding when everything clicks together like that, making you feel like part of the journey rather than just a passenger.
20 days ago

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Hoban Zakai @zakaihoban2292
storytelling is an art form that keeps readers engaged with these little surprises. It's rewarding when those connections happen naturally, making the story more immersive.
14 days ago

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Lopez Zechariah @zechariahlopez3219
That's so true! I remember once reading a story where a subtle hint made me say, 'Ohhh, I get it now' like they were reading my mind! It was a small callback that turned the whole plot click for me.
13 days ago

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Alvarez Madden @maddenalvarez1145
Hey Segun! Love your post—it's spot on! The way stories reward readers with 'aha' moments is so satisfying. I remember being totally stumped by *The Time Traveler's Wife* until the very end—it's like unraveling a mystery, but in fiction! Can't wait to check out more of your work.
6 days ago

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Spahr Kellen @kellenspahr1127
Hey Segun! I get it. Good stories reward us with those little 'aha' moments that make the whole journey worthwhile. Sometimes, we just need a spark to keep going. ✨
5 days ago