Mastering Your Own Story

You know that novel that hooked you from the first page, that you settled into like a fancy-but-comfy pair of Kate Spade's, and that you keep on your shelf to read and reread? Maybe it's the novel that began your own dreams of writing. Maybe it shaped your perception of story when you were a kid.

I think we all set out to write that novel, in one way or another, don't we? No one says, "Yeah, I'd be perfectly satisfied to write a just mediocre story with just mediocre sales and a just mediocre impact on my readers."

Photo by Just2Shutter at freedigitalphotos.net

And yet, I have to ask you-- is mediocre exactly what you're settling for in your writing?

Frank Peretti once told me he takes two years working on a book. I heard Jocelyn Jackson speak, and she said she has characters in her mind for years before they hit the page. And Robin Jones Gunn's Christy Miller Series was rejection ten times before it went on to sell millions of copies. She just needed some help from her youth group girls first. Is it a coincidence that great writers spend a lot of time and many drafts on their work? Or are they great writers because they do?

No one wants to wait five, ten, or fifteen years for publication. I mean, let's be honest. But what if it takes five, ten, or fifteen years to write your story the way it ought to be told? Are you willing to do that, or will you settle for mediocre?

Lately, I've been thinking about what makes a "whoa!" book different from a "meh" one. And I think a lot has to do with mastering your own story.

I just started reading my friend Liz Johnson's The Red Door Inn, and I'm amazed by how well she tells this story. Another book that gave me a similar reaction was Kristy Cambron's The Butterfly and The Violin. Know why these stand out to me as a reader? I trust every element of the way the story is told.

Let me explain.

We as writers must be the masters of our own stories. We spend so much time studying plot, dialogue, characterization, pacing, and genre expectations-- and for good reason. But we can't forget that behind all the lessons on craft, even the most well-formed story is lacking if it doesn't show magic. And magic comes from the storyworld.

So how can we become masters of our own stories?

• Time. Don't rush your manuscript. You can not have mastery of your story if you don't have deep and intimate understanding of all its elements, from the characters' struggles and lessons to the over-arching take-away. That often just takes time.

• Many, many drafts. I always tell my students that if their essays aren't up to par yet, it's probably because they haven't yet written enough drafts. Don't get discouraged by comparing your work-in-progress to someone else's fifteenth draft. And whatever you do, don't assume "famous" authors write like that in their first drafts. Many of them just discipline themselves to continue writing/editing until the story gets up to their standards. 

• Metaphor in story world. Nothing should happen in your story by accident-- not the place where the heroine lives, or the hero's job, or his favorite thing to eat. What is the theme of your story? Brokenness? Then maybe the heroine's car should break down frequently, inhibiting her ability to get where she "needs to go," literally and figuratively. Does your hero miss his grandfather? Then maybe he always wears his grandfather's old jacket, and when the heroine spills coffee on it, well...

Remember that the only person who can tell your story is... well, you. So don't get caught up in rushing the process. If readers can trust that you've controlled every element, they will sense a depth in your story world that will pull them in all the more. And let's face it-- those stories are so much more fun to write!

What books stand out to you as masterfully told? What can we learn from them?

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Ashley Clark writes romance with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her personal blog, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. She is represented by Karen Solem.

Are You Lost in A Blank Screen World?

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Have you found yourself floundering for ideas? 

Not too long ago, fellow Alley Cat, Amy Simpson wrote on her Facebook about going on a daily run. While on that cool and drizzling rain run without kids, she became wonderfully lost in brainstorming story world. She said, "I may have envisioned romantic rainy kisses and frightening abductions. Ahh romantic suspense! So fun."

A week later an anomaly struck my typically cloudy, humid part of the world. The sun shone from a cloudless sky, the balmy spring temperatures swirled as if on tiptoes to not waken the bugs. God invited me outside for a walk, and I went. 

I let my mind wander freely from topic to topic. The faster thoughts popped into my head and dissolved into another topic, the quicker I found my stride. I took detours down a muddy path to the river and ventured past a school. Soon the sound of birds, the scent of new spring growth, and the fresh air sent me into story world.

Sweet, like chocolate.

BUT...

I had not walked into my genre.

Materializing in only a two dimensional shape was a main character. Her plight became evident. Her strength--indisputable. Her hopes and desires--a faint whisper. The resolution--hidden in the shadows.

I was intrigued. 

No--it was more like captivated. 

When I returned home, I wrote to a friend who pens stories in this new-to-me genre, and asked what the typical word count should be.

I went to the library and checked out recently published books from this genre to get the feel of what is current.

As the sun rose and set, new complexities popped into my mind creating delicious dangers for the yet unnamed main character. 

Hours later, my husband happened to mention something from the news. An event from years ago had resurfaced with new data. All the news channels reported the breaking news. I took notes and checked the facts.

My character whispered, this is what I was telling you about that day on the walk but you didn't hear me.

Like a robust sunrise transforming into an invigorating sunny day, a new story formed from a fetus idea--nurtured with the story world around me.

Talk about ultimate writer's high.

Something shiny: There once was a television show called "Let's Make a Deal". Contestants learned after time that choosing door number one or two tended to be safe. Sometimes they received something pretty awesome, but never anything crazy. But door number three tended to be for risk takers only. Those who chose number three usually won something like a chicken or a toy car. But on rare occasions the person won the mother of all prizes. 

Back to the topic:
Stepping out of your comfort zone to explore a new genre can be like opening door number three. 

A brief tornado of an idea could strike then disappears in seconds, leaving F5 debris in your brain.

On the other hand, a new genre could be like a seed, planted in your heart, feeding from your soul, desires, wishes, dreams, and emotions. With water and care, the product could be your best work ever.

How are you feeling today? Adventurous? Are you struggling with a blank screen and need to start a new document--perhaps in a new genre? Or perhaps color outside the lines by adding a spice of another genre to your current work. After all, there was a time when no one would have put sweet and sour flavors together. Why not add a spark of fantasy, romance, mystery to your regularly schedule genre?

Before you do:

1. Go somewhere to be with only God and you.
    Suggestions: front porch, back deck, walk around the neighborhood, local 
    park, museum, arboretum, Main Street, beach, woods, etc.

2. Do something physical to get the oxygen flowing to your brain. Even a 
    stroll, a few jumping jacks, or sit ups can do this.

3. Let your brain roll with whatever thoughts pop in. Don't spend time on 
    any topic. Let your mind clear the cobwebs. 

4. This is when you writing juices start to flow. You've set aside issues that 
    creep into your mind, the oxygen is flowing, you are alone with the one who 
    gave you the gift for writing. Brace yourself, one of the best what if's is about 
    to spark. 

5. As the thought lights, ask questions. 
    Perhaps the thought is an event. Where is it? What is happening? Who all is 
    there? How did this come to be? What caused it? Are there concerns, needs, 
    wants? Why would anyone care about this?
    
    Perhaps the thought is a person. Who is this person? Where is he? Why 
    is he there? What is happening to him? What are his feelings and 
    concerns? What is he wearing? How did he get to this place? What does 
    he see, hear, feel, taste, touch, or witness?

6. Take notes. Be specific. The notes should raise more questions. Write them
    down.

7. Investigate any leads. 

8. Formulate a basic beginning, middle, and end to the story.

9. Bounce the idea off someone who writes or loves to read that genre. 
    When I did this step, I was told the story had complexities. I was elated. 
    Complexities build a story when used properly.

10.Evaluate your notes, the basic beginning, middle, and end, and the advice from the writer/reader. 
     Is this story an F5 tornado? Something that will take you away from valuable 
     writing and dump you into a pit of confusion?
      
     Does this story have potential to go where no man has gone before? (As in 
     a fresh new take on a story idea.)

Don't wait! Act now! Don't delay. Has a story kernel popped in your head even as you read this post? Jot the thought in the comment section. 

Has a thought tweeted to your brain more than once to the point that it just sends retreats hoping you'll notice? Jot the story seed down in the comment section. 

If you could dip your writing toes into the waters of a different genre, even for just one novel, what would that genre be?  Look for others who have answered the same genre in their comments below and connect with them.

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This blog post is by Mary Vee

Mary has moved to Michigan with her husband, closer to her three college kids. She misses the mountains of Montana, but loves seeing family more often. She writes contemporary and romance Christian fiction, is honing marketing and writing skills, and loves to pen missionary and Bible adventure stories on her ministry blog, God Loves Kids.

Visit Mary at her website and her ministry blog to families: God Loves Kids. Or chat on Facebook or Twitter