The Problem With the Point

Or, What Really Matters in the Story

When I work with someone on their story-craft I want them to be able to articulate why they are writing this book – what’s their “point”. This is an excellent starting place to keep them motivated because it is the step-way-back bigger picture.

Taking that step and seeing the point are key to finishing a project and infusing it with a deeper, universal meaning.

But it can also be a bit of stumbling block, if the writer doesn’t move on from the point to the story.

And most importantly, to the importance and agency of the main character.

Point is Not Story

It’s really easy to think that the point is the point (hah!). When I hear a writer say, “I want kids to learn to be brave”, or “I want to give kids confidence”, or “I want to help kids see another culture”, what I hear is the point, but not the story. I congratulate them and then move on.

Because that’s when I need to remind them that their main character must act with agency to address the issues that are raised by the point.

So, to be clear, when you want to help kids learn to be brave, you write a story featuring a kid main character who is scared but who – by using their wits, their talents, their personal tools – acts with agency during a story to show the reader how they overcome their fear.

When you want to give kids confidence, you write a story featuring a kid main character who – by using wits, talents, tools – acts with agency to show the reader how they build confidence.

And so on.

It’s this simple: a story is about a character acting with agency to overcome a problem. Overcoming that problem may have a point, but the point is not the story.

Always Remember the Reader

And the reader is not you.

Last week when I talked about the reader avatar I said:

“Be sure to notice this: kids don’t like to be lectured to. They are smart and funny and want respect. Your reader avatar doesn’t want instruction, even if the adults around them do. Kids want entertainment.”

So do your best to entertain. Sometimes that means to make the reader laugh; sometimes to make them cry.

But always it means to make them feel.

Help For Writers, Coming Soon!

Once again, if you’re looking for community, content, and support, I’m building a mentorship program that opens in early 2024 – but it’s limited enrollment, so please let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send you an application.

I would also love to know what else you’re looking for so contact me! Ask me a question, or two or more.