The first and most important step to writing a believable story is to do your research. This means learning as much as you can about the subject you're writing about, including the historical context, the people involved, and the events that took place. The more you know about your topic, the better equipped you'll be to write a story that feels authentic.
Characters, Plot and Setting
You need to create realistic characters, as well as a believable story arc. The plot needs to be plausible, and the setting needs to be well-researched and described in detail.
Use real details.
One way to make your story sound real is to use real details. This can include things like specific dates, places, and names. It can also include details about the characters' clothing, food, and transportation. The more specific you can be, the more believable your story will be.
Use dialogue.
Dialogue is a great way to bring your characters to life and make them sound real. When writing dialogue, it's important to capture the way people actually talk. This means using contractions, colloquialisms, and other informal language. You should also avoid using too much exposition. Instead, let the characters' dialogue reveal information about themselves and the story.
Use foreshadowing.
Foreshadowing is a technique that can be used to hint at future events in the story. This can help to create suspense and make the story feel more believable. When using foreshadowing, it's important to be subtle. You don't want to give away the ending of the story, but you want to give readers enough hints to keep them guessing.
Revise and edit.
Once you've written a first draft of your story, it's important to revise and edit it carefully. This means checking for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It also means making sure that the story is well-paced and that the characters are consistent. The more polished your story is, the more believable it will be.