Tag: StoryDevelopment

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.

The Pencil’s Philosophy—The Power of Asking Why

THE PENCIL'S PHILOSOPHY - THURSDAYS
Welcome to The Pencil's Philosophy, my Thursday focus on writing as transformation. Here you'll explore how writing connects to deeper understanding, how questioning leads to growth, and how stories transform both writer and reader. Whether you're seeking truth or finding your voice, these posts guide your journey of discovery.

The Power of Asking Why

Every compelling story begins with a question. As someone who spent sixty years accepting answers, I’ve discovered that asking “why” transforms not just our writing, but our understanding.

Questions That Transform Stories

Character Motivation

Don’t just accept what your characters do—ask why:

  • Why does she stay in that relationship?
  • Why does he risk everything for this goal?
  • Why does this matter so deeply?

Each “why” leads to deeper character truth.

Character Motivation Example:

Initial Character: Sarah returns to her hometown.

First Why: Why now?

– Because her mother is ill.

Second Why: Why does this matter?

– Because they haven’t spoken in ten years.

Third Why: Why the silence?

– Because Sarah chose career over family expectations.

Fourth Why: Why was that choice so devastating?

– Because it exposed the family’s generational pattern of sacrificing dreams.

Result: A story not just about coming home, but about breaking cycles.

Plot Development

Question every turn:

  • Why does this happen now?
  • Why does the character choose this path?
  • Why are the stakes so high?

The answers often reveal surprising story directions.

Plot Development Example:

Simple Plot: Tom finds a mysterious letter.

First Why: Why does he open it?

– Because it’s addressed to his late wife.

Second Why: Why does this matter now?

– Because he’s about to sell their house.

Third Why: Why is selling significant?

– Because the letter reveals she never wanted to live there.

Fourth Why: Why did she stay?

– Because Tom’s entire identity was wrapped in this house.

Result: A story about identity, compromise, and hidden truths.

Theme Exploration Example:

Basic Theme: Forgiveness

First Why: Why can’t Mary forgive her sister?

– Because the betrayal changed her life path.

Second Why: Why did this change matter so much?

– Because she lost her chance at her dream career.

Third Why: Why was this dream so important?

– Because it was her escape from family patterns.

Fourth Why: Why does she need escape?

– Because she’s becoming what she feared most—her mother.

Result: A story about breaking free while learning to forgive yourself.

Story Truth

Dig deeper:

  • Why do readers need this story?
  • Why does this theme resonate?
  • Why are you the one to tell it?

From Questions to Story

Example: Weak Scene: John leaves his job.

  • Why? Because he’s unhappy.
  • Why unhappy? Because it’s not fulfilling.
  • Why not fulfilling? Because he’s living someone else’s dream.
  • Why someone else’s dream? Because he never questioned his father’s expectations.

Strong Scene: John packs his desk, each item a weight lifting as he finally chooses his own path, his father’s disappointment a price worth paying for truth.

Today’s Exercise

Take your current scene and ask:

  1. Why does this matter to your character?
  2. Why now?
  3. Why this choice?
  4. Why these consequences?

Let each answer lead to another question.

Remember: Story depth comes not from having all the answers, but from asking better questions.

“The important thing is not to stop questioning.”

  • Albert Einstein

Need help developing your story’s deeper questions? Schedule a consultation to explore your novel’s potential.

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Note: If this is your first appointment, you do not have to pay. I offer a FREE—initial consultation.