Why does an agent or judge pick one story over another? What makes a story shine?
Point of View, Show not Tell, Dialogue, Story Structure, Pacing… all the functional components must be spot on. But these are all things any manuscript can have tightened during the editing process. Yes, not everyone will have the skill to do this, but over time, and with practice, they can be learnt.
So what is it? I think it’s the ability to tell a story. A good story. An intriguing story. One that engages the reader, has heroes and heroines the reader desires or aspires to be. A story with a difference. A story you become, not just read.
What do you think?