Last year I read a thought-provoking book on writing — Story Trumps Structure: How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules by Steven James. This week I thought I’d share some quotations that ponder the big picture rather than the nitty-gritty of choosing a strong verb or writing a compelling scene.
“The more specific we can be, the more universal the story will feel. So if you are striving to write about a grand, sweeping concept like guilt, make it about guilt over a single choice. With war, focus on one soldier. With healthcare, tell the story of one patient. With love, explore one person’s relationships.”
“Keep in mind that every story worth telling will offend someone. The truth makes people uncomfortable. If you try to please everyone, you’ll end up writing trite, mealy little stories that don’t impact anyone. Instead, let the truth stretch out its wings in your stories. Let it resonate in your reader’s lives.”
“How do we keep from weeping every hour?
How do we keep from falling to our knees in marvel and amazement?
How do we so blithely go about our daily lives without doing both?
In the end, the glass isn’t half empty or half full. It isn’t half anything. It’s an all-of-the-above world. Life is both more full than you’d ever expect and more empty than you can imagine. Lift the strange cup of reality to your lips, look closely at the world for yourself, and you’ll see what I mean.
When you write, don’t romanticize either wishful thinking or violence.
Don’t make light of the evil of the world.
And make a commitment never to silence the joy.”
