What Makes a Good Story?
” Once upon a time…”
Many stories start that way, but does that make it a good story?
How do you write a good story in the first place?
In fact, why bother?
The last question is a good one to wrestle with!
We live and die by the stories we tell ourselves and others. Do you believe you have a good story to tell?
A great number of people today create, curate and craft the storyline of their lives whether it is intentional or not.
The next time you listen or watch something about a celebrity, a CEO, a faith believer, a grandmother, an uncle or a young person – notice what they are saying to the world about themselves.
We are all telling a story about our own life each day, but we are usually barely conscious of it.
Human beings seem to have a drive to explain themselves, a desire to share something about the life they have experienced.
No matter how much or little they say, whether they enjoy the limelight or prefer privacy, there appears an innate drive to let others know that: Hey, we came this way.
For those who wish to lead and make a difference in this world, it is crucial you learn to write and tell stories well.
If you wish to write your story, write it in a way that leads others to a better, broader, deeper and higher place.
Don’t just write a good story about yourself alone. Write it in a way that contributes well to others.
More and more people these days are finding joy and satisfaction in writing their life stories. Formerly known as autobiographies, today we call them memoirs. Not only is it a great way to share your life with others in your own words, it helps you see what matters to you.
Some of us might wish to go further. We desire to write and share stories from our lives that could become a useful social legacy for others.
Unless we plan to die with our stories within us, most likely we will share our stories within a private network of family and friends. A few may let it become known in a public way. Either way, we all want to tell our stories eventually.
How do you begin your story writing journey? Why not ask yourself, “Which one am I inclined to write about right now?”
Who Your Story is For
Everyone should take time not just to tell their stories but also to write them down.
It doesn’t matter if you’re the only reader of your story. In fact that’s a VERY GOOD reason to write your life story. When you take time to reflect upon your life and write it down, you open up the opportunity to explore the parts of you that you haven’t taken the time or have had no desire to examine.
This probably is a reward you didn’t expect: the joy of knowing yourself in a new and different way.
To look at one’s life, and to honestly write about it, requires great courage.
Only you can answer how you have lived your life thus far.
A lot gets revealed when you take time to write and share your story. Self awareness increases. The writing process also hands you the beautiful responsibility of how to live well.
Ultimately you don’t write your story for the sake of a final product like a published book. You write in order to get clear and to grow in the process.
A story is likely to endure if it is bigger than your current self. A good story happens when it is more than your personal voice. It is a narrative others around you and after you can relate and aspire to as well.
So is it possible to write a good story? Absolutely!
But you need to weed out the junk first. Before you spot any diamonds in the story of your life, you’ll probably be looking at a lot of unhelpful noise. It comes with the territory of writing.
It is extremely helpful and essential to be clear about your writing goals and who you are writing for.
Epictetus to the Rescue
“
Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes. Therefore,
give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price of a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths. Remain steadfast … and one day you will build something that endures: something worthy of your potential.” Epictetus
Learn to push through your own resistance at examining your life through writing.
Rise above those murky waters (inherited or self-inflicted) and birth your story beautifully.
My favorite work is helping others write stories that contribute in a positive and uplifting way toward others.
Does everyone have a good story like that?
My simple answer is yes.
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