Tag: FictionWriting

The Foundation of Every Great Story: A Strong Story Core

Welcome to Writer's Edge, your weekly resource for mastering the art and craft of storytelling. Every Tuesday, I'll share insights drawn from my experience as a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, blending the best elements of Edge Coach, First Edge, and Craft Edge. Whether you're staring at a blank page, wrestling with revisions, or fine-tuning your final draft, you'll find actionable advice, proven techniques, and encouragement tailored to your stage of the writing journey. Let Writer's Edge sharpen your skills, spark your creativity, and guide you toward building stories that captivate readers.

The Foundation of Every Great Story: A Strong Story Core

Every great novel begins with a solid foundation—a Story Core that holds the entire narrative together. Whether you’re a discovery writer (pantser), a meticulous planner (plotter), or something in between, identifying your Story Core early can save you hours of revision and keep your narrative on track.

What is a Story Core?

At its heart, the Story Core is the central driving force of your novel. It’s made up of three key elements:

  1. Protagonist’s Goal: What does your protagonist want more than anything?
  2. Conflict: What stands in the way of achieving that goal?
  3. Stakes: What happens if the protagonist fails?

Without these elements working in harmony, even the most beautifully written prose can fall flat.

Why Your Story Core Matters

A strong Story Core:

  • Provides focus and direction for your narrative.
  • Keeps your characters’ motivations clear and believable.
  • Gives readers a reason to invest emotionally in the story.

Practical Steps to Identify Your Story Core

  1. Ask the Big Questions:
    • What does my protagonist want?
    • Why can’t they have it?
    • What happens if they don’t succeed?
  2. Refine Your Answers: Be specific. “Save the world” is vague. “Stop the reactor before it melts down and destroys the city” is clear and immediate.
  3. Write It Down: Create a one-sentence summary of your Story Core. Example: A timid librarian must confront her fear of public speaking to save her town’s historic library from demolition.

Edge Coaching Tip:

If you’re struggling to clarify your Story Core, step away from the plot for a moment. Focus on your protagonist—what do they fear, love, or regret the most? Often, your Story Core is buried in their deepest desire or most haunting fear.

Your Challenge This Week:

Write a one-sentence Story Core for your current project. Share it in the comments or keep it as your guiding light for this stage of your draft.

Next Tuesday, we’ll dive into how to align your plot points with your Story Core to create a compelling narrative arc.

Happy writing!

– Your StoryCoach

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

Edge of Reality–When Blue Lights Lead to Christmas Magic: A Novelist’s Gold Mine

EDGE OF REALITY - 
Welcome to Edge of Reality, my Friday feature examining current events through a writer's lens. Here you'll discover how real-world stories can inform and enhance your fiction. Whether you're mining life for story ideas or deepening your narrative, Edge of Reality helps you transform truth into compelling fiction.

Today’s Inspiration:**

“Making Christmas Bright” – Sand Mountain Reporter

By Mary Bailey, December 17, 2024

[Story of Marshall County’s 6th annual Shop with a Cop event]

## The Real Story

In Marshall County, Alabama, 106 children experienced Christmas magic when law enforcement officers from across the county came together for their annual Shop with a Cop event. The scene: a parade of police vehicles, sirens blazing down Highway 431, each carrying a child toward a morning of holiday shopping and connection.

## Mining the Story Elements

### Character Gold

– Trinidy, who dreams of becoming an officer herself

– Lashay Bentley, the 911 dispatcher participating for the first time after 17 years

– Jeremiah Flack, thrilled by his police car ride

– Sheriff Phil Sims, watching relationships build

– Will Isbell, returning for his third year

– The Bartleys, working behind the scenes to organize it all

### Dramatic Moments

– A line of blue lights streaming down Highway 431

– Children experiencing their first police car ride

– A dispatcher and future officer shopping together

– Officers playing basketball with kids after shopping

– A community breakfast bringing everyone together

– The moment a child picks out a gift for their sibling

## Transforming Reality into Fiction

### Perspective Options

1. A veteran officer seeing hope in a child’s eyes

2. A shy child finding courage through connection

3. A dispatcher stepping into direct service

4. A parent watching their child’s fear of police transform

5. A store employee witnessing these moments year after year

### Plot Possibilities

– A holiday romance between two first responders who volunteer

– A coming-of-age story about a child inspired to serve

– A community drama about healing police-community relations

– An ensemble piece following multiple officer-child pairs

– A story of siblings sharing an unexpected Christmas blessing

### Thematic Elements

– Breaking down barriers

– Service beyond duty

– Dreams taking root

– Community healing

– Holiday magic in unexpected places

– The ripple effect of kindness

## Novel Applications

Consider these story frameworks:

1. The Annual Event: How traditions build trust

2. The Reluctant Participant: How connection changes perspective

3. Behind the Scenes: The unseen work of community building

4. The Transformation: How one day can change a life

5. The Legacy: How today’s moments shape tomorrow’s heroes

This Marshall County story reminds us that the best fiction often grows from real moments of human connection. Sometimes the simplest acts—a siren sounding for joy rather than emergency, a shared morning of shopping, a child’s dream taking shape—contain all the elements we need for powerful storytelling.