Comments on: The Most Important Storytelling Challenge of Them All

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:14:22 +0000

Thanks for the reply, Larry. I think the “beat sheet” idea may just help me finish my story. I’m looking forward to your future post.

By: Larry

Larry — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:06:04 +0000

@Chris — same thing here. Feels like the story is my real world, and it’s easy to get lost there. I think this is precisely what leads some pantsers into a dark corner, and it’s why I rely on an outline (in the form of a beat sheet) to keep me heading in the right direction. When I feel the pull of a new idea while I’m lost in my story, I can weight it (and its consequences) against what I’d already given my confidence too, to make sure it’s not sirens (lurking in rocks) that I hear.

Thanks for commenting. L.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:57:20 +0000

I get so lost while writing that I really feel like I’m in my story. I’m not sure if this means I’m crazy, or if it means I’m on the right track. When you write, do you feel like this?

By: For Your Consideration: Questions at the Heart of Your Story Idea

For Your Consideration: Questions at the Heart of Your Story Idea — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 06:12:25 +0000

[...] this week I posted an article entitled “The Most Important Storytelling Challenge of Them All.” A few passionately articulated comments ensued, one of which I posted as a guest blog [...]

By: JW Newcum

JW Newcum — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:05:59 +0000

I am fortunate in that I don’t seem to have a problem coming up with ideas, but I have only recently found a tip gleaned from reading “Save The Cat” on how to determine if an idea is worth developing. In that first glimmer in my mind I know what the story is about, but I need to convey the ‘what’s it about’ to others. I have found that if I can produce a coherent 35-40 word ‘logline’ (or ‘one-line’ or ‘premise’ or ‘concept’ – take your pick) that succinctly says what the story is about, and I get good feedback (“I like it!”) from strangers, I have something to work with. Most often I can’t come up with a decent one, and in trying to I uncover what’s wrong with the ‘idea’. Larry, can you expound on this sometime, and better than I’m doing?

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:05:00 +0000

@@Dave – other thoughts, indeed. This has turned out to be an interesting discussion. My latest post continues it, and I will write more about this over the next few days, as it has my head spinning. Thanks for contributing, much appreciated. L.

By: The Heart of the Story — A Guest Post from Bruce H. Johnson

The Heart of the Story — A Guest Post from Bruce H. Johnson — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:35:27 +0000

[...] post generated some fascinating responses (click HERE t0 read the post if you missed it, or even read it again, and then scroll down for the [...]

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:47:01 +0000

This post is the first you’ve written that hit the exact spot of most of my self doubt when it comes to writing. i love the idea that spawned the novel, but is the idea good enough to be published?

This is the one competency that can utterly cripple all the others, and as a new writer i have no way of judging if the concept i’m writing about is strong enough to work. Most of the time i struggle with explaining a concept or theme from the manuscript i have because the story i started will take another volume to complete. While working through the questions on Larry’s ‘Single most important page’, the concept and theme questions have completely stonewalled me. Think i need to study these topics a bit more before continuing on my revision.

Great post, as always. Time to dig into a little research and then focus on revising my rough draft. Thanks for the direction!

By: Luisa Perkins

Luisa Perkins — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:55:56 +0000

So powerful. I love this post. I may need to memorize it.

By: janice | Sharing the Journey

janice | Sharing the Journey — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:26:34 +0000

Nice to meet you, Bruce. Finally, someone who leaves comments as long as mine! Couldn’t agree with you more. Great post, Larry; crucial concept. I’ve been away for a while, and it was good to come back and find that you’re still so passionate about your core concepts that you haven’t run out of the inspiration or passion to get them out there in as many ways as possible.

When I write, if my piece doesn’t move me, I know there’s little chance of it moving anyone else. If a piece arrives out of nowhere and has me in tears at the keyboard, I know there’s a chance it’ll affect others the same way. I’ve become greedy for that feeling over the years, and choosy about what I share. I first experienced it when I was a singer and knew immediately if an audience was moved, touched or captivated.

I don’t want to write mediocre prose but I know in my heart that I haven’t got ideas powerful enough to power a whole story or form the canvas that holds the embroidery together. One thing this site has done for me is to save me from wasting months of my life trying to fabricate stories that aren’t compelling. But luckily, like the musicians mentioned above, I love the practising.