Part 2 of 7
Thank you so much for joining us this week as we explore how you can craft your life story. It is all connected to the literary and empowerment haven that we are sharing with you for your growth and development. If you missed Part 1 where the foundation was laid for our storytelling technique, I invite you to check it out for a better understanding of where we are going.
We shared that every great story has a main character or protagonist who has a single unifying need. This need drives everything he or she does and is one of the ways the reader immediately relates to the character. Now the character is in a dilemma because he or she is up against a problem or villain who stands directly in the way of having the need fulfilled. If we see ourselves as the characters in our story, we have a problem too.
The Problem
Conflict comes into sharp focus when there is a clear villain in our character's life. We have to vilify the villain as much as we can because this becomes the hook in our story. The villain should be relatable, singular and real. As long as the villain is in the character's life, the need becomes impossible to meet. In other words, show the readers that the character is helpless against this villain. The tension in your story will heighten and draw the readers into your character's world.
We are the Problem
As it relates to our own stories, in my estimation, we are the problem. We desire for our lives to have meaning, but maybe we think we can do it by ourselves, think we can't do it at all or we are constantly moving somewhere in between.
If we think we got it all covered, we try to trust our own hearts and intellect, and depend on our self-will to accomplish our goals and dreams. But our own indiscipline or inconsistency quickly becomes tiring and frustrating. Maybe we have a quick temper or foul mouth that makes us burn bridges when we want to build them. Or maybe we have a problem making impulsive decisions with our time, money or food that derails everything we painstakingly tried to build. Then there could be times when we are so busy trying to be alpha male or female that we crush others in our path (knowingly or unknowingly) and malice (or ignore) anyone who does not agree with us. We might not listen to advice from well-meaning persons and get defensive at the hint of correction. So even when we reach a goal, we leave a trail of broken relationships behind us. We strive with everything inside of us because we know there's more but something keeps holding us back, and deep down, we know it.
Then there's the problem when we think that we can't. We could be so talented in a particular area but no matter how often family or friends tell us we are gifted in writing, drawing, speaking, leading - you name it, we tell ourselves we are incapable or inadequate--so we do nothing, or start then stop, for a very long time. We could hold on to this so much that we talk ourselves out of many opportunities. Then when we do, we experience nagging feelings of jealousy toward others who are walking in their purpose. All the while, we could be quietly nursing feelings of insecurity, regret, self-pity, sadness and emptiness. Confused and even angry with ourselves, we could spend our life not knowing who we are and what our purpose is.
Whichever part of the spectrum we find ourselves, this is a miserable way to live. This is a serious problem. Can you relate?
Join me next week for more story writing tips and reflections on our own lives.
Kerry-Ann McPherson
Project Manager and Contributor
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