What Story Would You Love to Write?

Hi Novelteeners. Heather here.

Do you dream of castles and dragons and heroic characters? Or maybe a Sci-Fi where the only answer to a vicious plague is the tears from friendly creatures on a far away planet who dwell just beyond the impenetrable dark ring. Is there a tale you’d love to write?

I think everyone has one. That story idea that rambles around in the back of the mind occasionally slipping to the front when least expected. I have one. It’s about a girl who grows up to overthrow her father who is an evil king. After much war and turmoil, she takes over the land and becomes the ruler the kingdom had always dreamed of having. It may not sound that exciting to you, but the character is vividly alive to me. I can see her. I can hear her. I can even feel her pain. But sadly, the story just hasn’t become alive enough for me to sit down and write it. It’s missing major elements that I seem to need before I start. I have to be able to drop myself into their world, and I juuuuust can’t quite do it yet.

I want to write it. I do. And some day, I will. At least I hope. Right now, I have Halfling teenagers that consume all of my creative time. And lemme tell ya, they won’t take a back seat to anyone. Not even a kingdom in turmoil with an evil king and a daughter with a plan.

Right now, the Halflings get all my time. And that’s good because after all, the world is on the line. Not to mention their hearts. It’s a lot for a teenager to deal with. And I LOVE telling their story!

It’s alive. It breathes. It beckons to me when I’m at Disney World or the grocery store. From the edge of my vision, something moves. Quickly. Too quickly to be human. I glance over, but nothing’s there. Was it a Halfling? Is someone in danger? Or are they just here to enjoy the Rockin’ Rollercoaster?

See how reality blurs for me? And if that wasn’t bad enough, sometimes members of my family will look at a tall muscular teenager and say, “Hey, he looks like a Halfling.”  I know, I’ve pulled them all into my fantasy world. But it’s a lovely world to live in. If you don’t mind the hell-hounds, the fighting, the clock ticking away precious time until the end of…

Sorry. Got carried away. So, what is it you’d love to write? Thriller, high fantasy, urban fantasy, suspense, a memoir, a romance? How about a comedy? Are you naturally funny and have a room full of people laughing whenever you tell a story? Why not jump in and give it a shot.

My older son Jake just finished writing his first novel this morning. I’m so proud of him. He’s twenty-three. He had a story to tell, so he sat down and told it. Huh. I guess that’s the best advice that can be given to an aspiring author. Find your story and sit down and tell it.

So, what’s your story? What’s keeping you from the page? Do it. Jump in! What do you have to lose?

I’ve been asked to speak at a college in my area to the creative writing students. Know what advice I’m going to give them?

That’s it. Find your story and sit down and tell it.

So, if this has encouraged you to dust off that idea, let me know. Start today and keep me posted about your progress. After all, every book has a beginning. And every author made a decision to write it. It doesn’t happen by accident. It’s intentional. So go. Jump in head first. You might just discover a world no one else has been to. Leave a comment if you’re starting today!