Writers know there are specific elements in a story that make it, well, a story. These are tried and true and taught in every book about the craft. These staples are what I teach my third graders as they begin developing not only the skills of writing but also a passion for it. I thought it’d be fun to write about some of those key storytelling ingredients and how they apply and appear in real life - particularly mine. The lives where we don’t get a delete button or the option to begin a new document – as quickly as we’d like.
Character
I used to think about heaven a lot. I still do. Having more loved ones there than I did as a child, I may not think about it more, but differently. My thoughts are different now. Now I wonder what the streets are paved with because I know, without a doubt, they are not gold. Blah! Give me a break. I mean, seriously. With literally every ounce of creativity at his fingertips, God will make streets out of gold? I digress. When I was a child, I knew I wanted two things when I got to heaven: to know how many baskets I had shooting basketball (and my shooting percentage) and to watch the highlight reel of my life.
I think about that highlight reel, and I feel a lot of times it’s just a reel. No highlights here, people. Move along. Move along, now - nothing to see. Don’t get me wrong. Family, brotherhood, and a positive impact on young minds are cherished and honorable aspects of my earthly life. But if I were to watch my life now or turn it into a book, would it be a page-turner? Would it be popcorn-worthy? We are the main characters of our lives. By definition, we take part in the action of the story. Our story. Mine. This post already has me thinking and reflecting on how I can make tomorrow better than today. What can I do differently now than I did yesterday?
We can’t control all the elements. I can’t control people not liking me. Their loss. Problems and conflicts make stories exciting, but can, let’s face it, make real lives miserable.
In a story, the protagonist must want something. That something could be a lost relic - something Indiana Jones would say belongs in a museum. It could be on a smaller scale, like wanting to get the lead role in the school play. If the character doesn’t desire something, we have no reason to care for them.
How does this relate to real life? Every moment, we write our story. Many situations are out of our hands. No amount of stress and worry changes that. But we address our inner spirit, the knocking on our souls, and find something we want or need. Maybe you need inner peace, a more diplomatic way to approach circumstances we disagree with. Maybe you need a dream. Having no goals or dreams put our spirit on life support. Our story cannot and will not move forward without that one thing that gets us through the day. That one thing that helps us see the light at the end of a long, narrow and dark tunnel.
We aren’t just the main character of our lives. We are the hero. No, we don’t have capes, and I hope we don’t wear underwear on the outside of our pants, but we must be the hero of our story. Heroes bust through obstacles and opposition but learn to kneel when others rise.
Next on Story Elements in Real Life…Setting
Dream Out Loud
rg
What an interesting concept! This definitely makes the reader pause and reflect. I think in some ways, all of our lives are popcorn worthy.
I am fascinated, traveling with your thoughts back and forth between developing a fictional character and living your own life. Much food for thought here.