Today we are going to discuss why you are telling your story and link that to how that will help you tell it better.
Stories as Social Behaviours
Stories are part of a group of social behaviors that allow us to connect, learn/teach and heal, among other reasons. Check out my video on why humans tell stories to get some background on this.
What’s the Outcome?
Ask yourself what outcome you want for your audience. This is imperative if you want to create something that connects you to the right people and creates a win-win for both you and them. Here are some questions that might help.
- Is this a story that will help you and others come together as a cohesive group?
- Will they no longer feel alone?
- Is this a story that will teach others something that will help them? What will they learn?
- Will they be able to do something new? Save time? Avoid pain or hassle?
- Is this a story that offers you and your readers healing, catharsis, more wellness?
And
- What questions am I answering? Or asking?
- What problems am I solving?
- What emotions am I inspiring… or provoking?
- What do I want my readers to walk away with?
We All Want to Feel Seen, Validated, and Valued
Storytelling is a reflection back to your audience, which puts their suffering in context. Your story can help someone become brave enough to take the next step in their own healing journey. After reading your story and summoning the courage to move forward, your story gives them a path they can start down to create their own journey to where they want to be.
Ask Yourself Why Are You Writing This Book
In order to put all the effort it takes to write a book, you must also ask yourself what you want from the experience. How will writing this story, this book, change your life in positive ways. Writing a book is so much more than earning money.
Going through this process will inform what you keep, what you discard and what you add.
It helps you both plan your book and edit your book.
For each chapter, section, and even each passage or paragraph, ask how it helps you achieve your why, your overarching goal, and the smaller goals that help you get to the big goal.
Knowing your why will help you produce a better book!
Let me know what you thought of the book in the comments!
– Keep writing
Melody Ann
Author Nation is your go-to resource for becoming a successful nonfiction author, from planning to promotion and everything in between. Download the resource for the stage you are in.
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