“There are no uninteresting stories, only boring writers.” – Anonymous

I love that quote, it’s painfully, embarrassingly true. Whenever I’m struggling with a work-in-progress, I get frustrated with how the story isn’t working. The story isn’t coming together. The story just isn’t there.

But the story is just the story. It isn’t a sentient being. It doesn’t live and breathe on its own. It requires an author — me, you — to give it a pulse, to pump blood through its veins, to jumpstart its heart and keep it going. I’m pulling my hair out over a story that isn’t working when it’s really my approach that’s the problem. Have I given the characters urgent, burning desires? Have I put enough conflicts in their way? Is there something at stake? Have I risen the stakes chapter after chapter? Have I used generic words instead of sparkling metaphors? Is the setting unique? Does it contribute to the story?

I also love that quote because it means any story, any idea can be made interesting by the right person. Sometimes when I’m having trouble making an idea come to life, I think maybe I’m just not ready for that story yet. Maybe I still have more work to do as a writer to be able to tell that story. And that’s okay, the story will wait. It gives me something to work toward.

© 2018 Rachel Martin. All Rights Reserved.