There is No One Way to Tell A Story
One thing my memoir students ask me is, “How do I go about writing my story?”
I tell them, “One word at a time, one day at a time, in the way that works for you.”
You see, students enter the class with mounting fear that they’ll do something wrong. They fear that their writing isn’t good enough and that no one will want to read their stories.
Once they get that sorted out in their minds they shrink under expectations and perfectionism.
Each of those things can paralyze a writer if we let it.
As much as I can guide them and teach them the tools they need to write, they need to step out and follow their instincts and tell the stories they need to tell. Some will need a strict structure in order to get their story down, while others will flourish by just sitting down and letting the words flow.
I try to teach my class to strive for somewhere between the two.
I have found that creativity can thrive within a structure. And free-flowing creativity will need to be shaped into some semblance of order.
Either way, the destination is still the same.
We get to share the power of our stories.
Melony Teague is a freelance writer who believes everyone has a story to tell and each story is unique and sometimes wilder than fiction. She loves to uncover the good news in society and writes human interest and community pieces. As co-author of As the Ink Flows, she loves to inspire and motivate others through her written words. In her spare time, she reviews books and interviews authors on her website. She also teaches seniors in her local community to write their own personal story. She writes Contemporary Romance with a dash of humor. Member of ACFW. Melony Teague was born in South Africa and now lives in Toronto with her husband, their two children and two cats.
11 Comments
Winnie Thomas
Thanks for the post, Melony! I need to find the energy and motivation to write my life story. I’m fighting that old “there’s nothing interesting about my life/nobody will want to read it” syndrome.
Melony Teague
I know you have a very unique story Winnie, because you are you. I’d read it!
Jessica Baker
Great advice I’ll share with my daughter who is starting the process of writing her first story. She’s in the beginning stages now, trying to plan it all out. Thanks for the wonderful words of advice!
Melony Teague
That’s wonderful. Getting started is the hardest part.
Susan Mason
Very good advice!! I need a structure to start with but then as the words flow everything veers a little off course!
Melony Teague
Oh yes, I know that feeling too.
Jeanie Nance
Melony, loved this reminder to turn off the editor mode when I need to be creating, can’t hear it enough. Perfectionism is a real block to creativity. It can even enter our prayer life. You wrote in your devotional book “As the Ink Flows”–“Do you fear that God is critiquing your prayer requests or phrases as you pour out your heart?” That comes ridiculously close to what I do…I choose my words carefully, like maybe he’ll be impressed. Let it flow! Thanks again for the good word.
Melony Teague
Jeanie, thank you for your feedback. I’m so glad that devotion spoke to you. I was challenged by that reality when I wrote that particular one. And, I need to remind myself of it often. Hugs!
Becky B
What a great article Melony!
Melony Teague
Thank you so much, Becky!
Linda Hudson
Love this! I am in the first stages of writing my Christian non-fiction transformational memoir and I battle shrinking under the fear of “perfectionism”…my greatest nemesis!
Appreciate this…I have to continue to tell myself…”I am a vital voice”!!
Blessings!💖💖🙏🏻