Storytelling—L.Kappel
We often find ourselves sitting in front of a virtual crisp white page, or indeed a real page to start the journey into the world we want to create, needing to tell a story, fact or fiction!
Why write?
Why not?
Perfection is not required, although I struggle with lack of confidence.
As a well-known slogan says, “just do it”.
Since humans have inhabited the earth, they have left their stories behind in many forms.
Chalk drawings on cave walls, stone circles and pyramids have piqued our interest for multiple reasons not least of all their telling of a story.
The use of precious stones to impart emotions, rubies for enduring passion and courage. The romance of ancient jewelry with the possibility of an intimate love story. Maybe the gifted jewelry was to a lover or family member.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel around Egypt just after the uprising. The Egyptian people had so many stories of those days, seeking their rights to live a full life.
They are surrounded by stories of ancient peoples whose lives had only one purpose, to serve those in power.
Anne Franks is another example. She recorded her daily life and the characters in her narrowed life--how the changes in the world directly impacted her and those who shared the attic with her.
Even a sweet “love story”. The ending, we know.
Sadly, our world today is full of events that we could never have imagined ten to twenty years ago.
Social media, if we could control our algorithms, (I am sure there is a way) could tailor the online world to our own values.
Should writing be me-centric or expand to a more reader-centric world?
It seems that it should come from you and not be moulded to a need.
Artists have withstood the storms of rejection, many not recognized until after their death.
This rejection often meant they were just ahead of their time.
Use critical thinking, peers, and /or a support system, and trust yourself to let passion drive you.
Question, analyse, evaluate, and make a judgement.
Surround yourself with peers. I found writing alone was too isolating.
Writing does require some form of structure, a daily routine. Many seem to find early morning works, but it should fit with your personality.
I have slowly changed from being a “pantzer” with an idea to creating a skeleton of my pathway for my story.
Plot outline, character names, the end! Before I never had that planned out so my writings tended to meander.
If I have the urge to “pants” I allow myself 500 words and go for it. It can be less, but some ideas can develop from the moments of freedom!
My terrible grammar, spelling, and dyslexic issues are a whole other topic. Being in my seventies now brings new issues to the table.
However, I will continue, and I am blessed to have a supportive peer group.
Write that story. Create and enjoy.