or, How to Find Your Story’s “Why” - A good way to get unstuck when you're writing - or avoid getting stuck in the first place - is to Find Your Why. Here's how.
This is vital stuff. I abandoned a story that didn't work recently and I've been doing a lot of thinking about why, without ever coming to a really definite conclusion. But I think you might have solved it for me! The story didn't have a concrete WHY. It had themes I was vaguely interested in, but nothing I would talk passionately about, let alone scream from the rooftops. A story is a vehicle for carrying important truths. I don't think you have to know what those truths are from the get-go, but at some point in the planning or the writing they have to get hold of you. If they don't, the story will never come fully alive. Great post, Graham, many thanks!
I agree -- you don't need to know the whole "Why" at the beginning. I'm a confirmed pantser, and I often find the Why along the way.
However, (a) knowing your "Why" earlier makes it easier, and (b) taking a closer look at your "Why" when you're stuck can often help you get unstuck. (At least, that's been my experience in both my fiction AND day-job non-fiction writing.)
Hope you can get that story whipped into shape now!
Stellar post. Thanks for the repeated reminder to read Save the Cat, which remains unopened on my bedtable. I have a goal to START EFFING WRITING my next novel this month. This month that has officially arrived and is no longer on the horizon. I'm off to find my WHY now. 🥂
As mentioned in this post, I've been EFFing writing my latest novel, and I'm happy with the results so far. I haven't had enough time with it yet to understand *exactly* how well it's working, but I plan to report back here when I have some more evidence.
Good luck with your novel! Yes, start with Save the Cat. I'm a pantser who wishes he could plot, and this book gave me some things to think about in terms of story without actually committing a framework to paper... lol
And congrats again on your poetry collection! (I encourage anyone else reading this comment to click on Meg's Stock Fiction link to check that collection out...)
This is vital stuff. I abandoned a story that didn't work recently and I've been doing a lot of thinking about why, without ever coming to a really definite conclusion. But I think you might have solved it for me! The story didn't have a concrete WHY. It had themes I was vaguely interested in, but nothing I would talk passionately about, let alone scream from the rooftops. A story is a vehicle for carrying important truths. I don't think you have to know what those truths are from the get-go, but at some point in the planning or the writing they have to get hold of you. If they don't, the story will never come fully alive. Great post, Graham, many thanks!
So glad it helped!
I agree -- you don't need to know the whole "Why" at the beginning. I'm a confirmed pantser, and I often find the Why along the way.
However, (a) knowing your "Why" earlier makes it easier, and (b) taking a closer look at your "Why" when you're stuck can often help you get unstuck. (At least, that's been my experience in both my fiction AND day-job non-fiction writing.)
Hope you can get that story whipped into shape now!
Stellar post. Thanks for the repeated reminder to read Save the Cat, which remains unopened on my bedtable. I have a goal to START EFFING WRITING my next novel this month. This month that has officially arrived and is no longer on the horizon. I'm off to find my WHY now. 🥂
Thanks Meg!
As mentioned in this post, I've been EFFing writing my latest novel, and I'm happy with the results so far. I haven't had enough time with it yet to understand *exactly* how well it's working, but I plan to report back here when I have some more evidence.
Good luck with your novel! Yes, start with Save the Cat. I'm a pantser who wishes he could plot, and this book gave me some things to think about in terms of story without actually committing a framework to paper... lol
And congrats again on your poetry collection! (I encourage anyone else reading this comment to click on Meg's Stock Fiction link to check that collection out...)
Excellent advice, Graham, as usual. Thought-provoking.
Thanks Terry -- glad you like it!
Absolutely Brillant! TY Graham. Love it.
Thanks Peggy -- glad you do!