I was in Montana this weekend for a wedding.
My father’s wedding.
It was weird. Okay, exciting, sweet, joyful, but…definitely unexpected. See, my mom passed a few years ago, and she and Dad had been together for over sixty years.
We never expected this happy ending.
But the Author knew, right? Knew that when Mom passed out of Dad’s life, there would be more to come. More joy. More laughter. More love.
Psalm 30:5 says, Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.
The truth is, all great stories must have a dark night of the soul. A moment when our character’s (and if we’ve done it right, our reader’s) worst nightmares come true. Or feel true. It’s called The Black Moment, and happens at the end of ACT 2, into ACT 3 of your story. Without this, we can’t feel the height of the joy of the morning.
And that joy? Part wound healing, part greatest dream. And it should be unexpected. Something the reader didn’t see coming.
A great story leads the reader on the journey of emotions—and they are brought to a crescendo with the Black Moment, Climax, then Denouement, or Finale of the story.And this journey is what readers yearn for. Why? Because our world needs hope. They need to see characters push through the darkness, transform with truth, get back up and triumph. To live Happily Ever After.
That’s your job as an author.
But you can’t write this journey if you don’t truly believe in your heart in love, in justice, in triumph, in joy.If you don’t believe that there is a happy ending ahead.
So you have to be the first reader. The one who goes on the journey. The one who grapples with the darkness, endures the wounds, holds onto faith, sees the joy. And that is why writing is so hard—you must open up your heart to vulnerability.
I listened to a TED Talk recently about vulnerability (here). Fabulous. The speaker reminded us that the world needs connection. We are looking for ways to share ourselves and be truly authentic with others, so that we can be accepted. Understood. Loved. And that thing that keeps us from connection? Shame. We are afraid of that thing inside us that might be revealed if we are vulnerable.
It keeps us from being vulnerable with others. It keeps us from being vulnerable as an author.
But shame is a tool of the devil. He wants to keep you from being vulnerable. From sharing your journey. From connecting with others.
Hear this instead: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. God, (Jeremiah 31:3).
Do not listen to shame. It’s time to be vulnerable, through your characters. Ask yourself the tough questions: Do you believe in a happy ending? In love? In justice? Dig deep, find some answers…and be willing to share them on the page. Even if you have questions.
Your vulnerability will change the way you write. And make your books deeper, stronger, more impactful.
Your story matters. Really.
Have a great writing week and go write something brilliant!
Susie May
PS! I’m having an epic seminar ONLINE this weekend on HOW TO WRITE A BRILLIANT ROMANTIC SUSPENSE. This will be the only time I do this seminar, live, and I’ve invited award-winning, best-selling author Ronie Kendig to teach with me! Check it out by clicking on the image below!
