Our poster for today is a bit of a revelation. "Tell the readers a story! Because, without a story, you are merely using words to prove you can string them together in logical sentences."
But, you're probably wanting to tell me that you don't have a 'story' in an essay, or an article, or even some poetry. Most essays have a story of some kind. The essayist often opens with an experience, and that is the same as a story. Then he/she goes on about what that experience showed them or taught them, or how it is part of a universal truth.
An article can also relate an experience of some kind, but it is filled with science or other facts. And remember, that a story has a beginning, middle, and ending. So does an article. Those who write these articles still pay attention to an opening and the middle, and then bringing it all to a summary or closing.
Most poems tell a story, even if in the mildest terms. They are not all narrative poems which definitely tell us a story, but there is still that beginning, middle, and ending.
None of the above will work if all you do is string together words that make logical sentences. It's great to be able to do that, but it's not enough. Even when you write stories for you family stories collection, you need more than those logical sentences. You're telling a story! Be sure it has a beginning, middle, and ending.
Yesterday, I read a piece written by one of my Followers that was published at a women's memoirs website on their Rosie the Riveter section. Writers were asked to send a story about women helping in WWII. Sara Etgen-Baker wrote a wonderful piece that was told in story form. She could have written a factual memoir stating what happened. Instead, she took the facts and turned it into a true story. And done very well. You can read her story here
I have seen many essays subbed in critiquing groups that received comments like. Pretty words here, but what is the purpose? What are you trying to tell your reader? They are inferring the "where's the story?" situation.
When you are editing your work, add the question "Is there a story here?'
This blog is on point. Writers need a good hook to capture the attention of the reader. Then, they must prove to the reader that there is a story.
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