I’m writing a book set on Denali. It’s about a dramatic rescue from nineteen thousand feet. I’ve spent the past month very cold as I’ve read about everything from ice-climbing to expeditions to Everest, K2 and of course, Denali.
In almost every story, the climbers experience something called a White-Out. I know of what they speak—I’m from Minnesota. I’ve been in those storms where the snow is so thick you inch along in your car, unable to see ten feet in front of you, squinting through the flurries (that often look like stars at hyper-drive) for tail lights, hoping you don’t hit the car in front of you.
On a mountain, a white-out can cause someone to walk right off the side of a cliff. As a result, climbers hunker down in their tent, waiting out the storm, hoping for clear skies.
I can admit, as a writer, sometimes I get hit by a creative white-out. Maybe I’ve lost my way in a novel and I don’t know where I’m going next. I feel paralyzed and instead of continuing to move forward and get myself off the mountain, I hunker down in my tent and wait for blue skies. And while waiting for blue skies is a good idea for a climber…
It’s not great for a writer.
We need to keep going, through the white out.
There’s this guy from the Bible named Abram (you might know him as Abraham) who started a journey in a white-out. God told him to pack his belongings and set out “for a land where I will show you.” He didn’t know where he was going. He just knew enough about GOD to know that he could trust him.
We, as writers have two tools in a white out – God’s calling, and our storytelling skills.
Phil 1:6 (CEV) says; God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.
You need to trust that you already have, working inside you, the talents and skills to finish this story. Sure, you might need more teaching and training, but you have Story Instincts. You know a great story when you see one, and God has used that to put a desire in you to write your own.
Trust your story instincts.
Then, trust that God is not a joker. He called you to this; he will not stop pressing you into the journey. No, it won’t be easy, because the journey is Work. But it is also Good. For you. For others.
So, what to do when you’re stuck in a white out?
Step out. (metaphorically. Please don’t go out into a REAL white-out and freeze and as you are being rescued by some handsome guy say to him, Susie May told me to step out in faith. I mean, yes, step out in faith, but you know, don’t, um, fall off the side of a mountain. That would be bad.)
Maybe it’s more like this.
Maybe you’re on a ledge in your story and you don’t know where to go next.
Be like Indiana Jones. Take a breath, take a step. Show up and start working through the scene.
Ask: what does my character want right now? What is he afraid of? What will stop him? Why should he not give up?
You’ll be surprise at how that first blind step of faith can unlock a whole new world (or scene!)
You CAN write something brilliant.
Your story matters.
Susie May
P.S One of the greatest tools I’ve discovered for storycrafting is the Story Equation, a method for understanding your characters and creating a character centered plot. And, because we want to arm novelists with ALL the tools to have a brilliant writing year, we’ve included TWO Story Equation/plotting sets in My Brilliant Writing Planner. Enough to write two books! Check it out here.
P.P.S Want more help creating those brilliant characters? I’m joining up with best-selling author Steven James in an intensive character-building seminar in Atlanta on October 26-27. Join us to learn how to go deep with your characters and create the kind of characters/stories that readers want more of. Check it out here: http://www.stevenjames.net/character-intensive-writing-conference/