How to pull effective quotes from your Wattpad story

Quotes from your story are a great promotional tool to pull your readers in and get them curious about your story. But how do you pick the quotes that will resonate with your readers and leave them wanting more? This guide will help you find the hidden gems in your story that you can use in promotion, descriptions, and more.

Know your purpose

Why are you pulling quotes? This is the first thing to ask yourself before you start reading through your story. For example, you may want to share on social media or on your Wattpad conversation board to entice new readers. You might use them in promotional graphics, include them in your author’s note, or even in your story description. No matter how you plan on using quotes, understanding your goal will help you select the most effective ones. 

Think like a reader

While you read through your story for quotes, put yourself in your reader’s shoes. What lines jump out at you? What makes you curious about what happens next? What made you laugh, cry, or gasp? These are the kinds of moments that will resonate with readers.

For example, we love this quote from Chapter 1 of The Dark Alpha by @TheSydneyMarie: “I feel our mate bond establish throughout my body like a rewiring of my nerves.” It vividly conveys the intense, transformative experience of falling deeply in love and gets us excited about the relationship we’re about to see unfold. 

Highlight as you go

As a writer, you can make a habit of pulling quotes while you write or edit. Highlight or copy down sentences or passages that strike you as powerful, insightful, humorous, memorable, clever, or beautiful. This will save you time when you’re ready to promote your story! 

Look for different types of quotes

Keep your eye out for dialogue that sparkles. Think witty banter, emotional confessions, or heated arguments. Memorable dialogue is what hooks readers instantly. For example, consider this powerful quote from the Sweet Sinners series by @lizaalewis “‘The only thing I want to call you, Miss Jones’ I say, pulling away from her, ‘is mine.’” Prose like this paints a picture. It evokes strong imagery and the emotions are powerful. 

Additionally, consider lines that reveal character. Quotes that offer insight into your characters’ personalities, motivations, or growth are opportunities for your readers to relate to your story. 

Consider sharability

Think about what kinds of quotes people are likely to share on social media or want to have as their phone background. Searching for quotes on Pinterest is a good way to get an idea of popular quotes that resonate with people. Typically these are short, impactful, and easily understood out of context. For example: “If you never try, you will never know” and “Life is good when you see the good in life.”

Don’t spoil the fun

Be sure to avoid using any quotes from your story that give away major plot points or twists! Remember, you want to intrigue readers, but not ruin any surprises.

Don’t overthink it

Sometimes, the best quotes are the ones that simply feel right to you. Trust your instincts in choosing the lines that speak to you the most. There is no wrong answer!

While Wattpad may request quotes from you so that we can help promote your story, we encourage you to use quotes for your own marketing purposes. Share them in your author’s notes, on social media, in blog posts, and anywhere else you connect with readers. 

By following these tips, you can draw out the most compelling quotes from your Wattpad story and start engaging your audience and attracting new readers in a whole new way!