As a writing coach and mentor, I work with writers to become conscious of their writing process, to become accountable to their writing spirit, and to identify and deal with resistance so it does not stop them from writing. I encourage my clients to name, clarify, and hone their goals. I also ask them to identify the meaning they attach to reaching those goals. I ask myself those same questions.
When we understand what we want and why we want it, and answer truthfully, we don’t lose our way. We can use what we know to stay on course for days, weeks, months, years—whatever it takes to reach the finish line.
It’s not uncommon for a writer to reach out to me for help writing a memoir or novel. They say something like, “I’m a little embarrassed to confess I’ve been holding this story inside for several years, ten years, maybe fifteen years, but every time I try to write it, something stops me.” Three years, ten years, fifteen years—sometimes more—is a notable amount of time to hold a story inside. It means the spirit of the writer in you refuses to give up—that spirit/your spirit needs to tell this story!
And your story lives inside you and needs you to tell it—in spite of fear, in spite of resistance, in spite of that part of you that is terrified of sharing your story with the world.
I ask what finally writing the story will mean? What will realizing the dream of sharing your story with the world mean? Often the answer goes something like this: It will mean sharing an experience that might help others. It will mean having a voice and being heard. It will mean joining the world’s creative conversation. It will mean saving my life.
As a story coach, I work with writers to structure, strengthen, and develop their stories and the characters who drive those narratives—from the opening event, through major turning points to the climax and the resolution. I ask writers to explore the dilemma at the heart of their story:
*What is the protagonist’s driving goal and the meaning she attaches to that goal?
*How hard is she willing to fight to reach her goal?
*Are the stakes life and death, whether comedy or drama?
*What does the moment look like when she realizes she cannot attain what she wants?
*What discovery makes her truly surrender what she wants so she can begin to understand what she needs?
*What does she surrender to get what she needs?
*How has her view of the world transformed by the end of the story?
In storytelling there is a disconnection between what the character wants in contrast to what she truly needs. Often that’s true in life as well. As the writer, the exploration of these questions (see above) and others will help keep you—and your characters—motivated and on course through the first draft and the revision…and the revision of the revision. When you delve into these questions and let them resonate through the story world you are creating, they will serve as your story compass.
As a working writer with seven novels published by major houses, I look for ways to expedite my own story development and writing without getting in the way of my creative process. I love sharing my often hard-earned knowledge (and even wisdom) with other writers. If I can help keep you on course—or guide you back when you feel you’ve lost your way—then we are both much closer to reaching our goals.
We want to hear from you: questions, comments, dilemmas? Please do use our comment box.
Cheers and happy writing, Sarah
Other posts you might like:
Writing & Revising Your Novel or Memoir in 2019: 7 Must-Know Tips (Part 1)
Revising Your Novel or Memoir in 2019: 9 Must-Know Tips (Part 2)
