VISION in 2020
My One Word for 2020
We’re almost eight weeks into this year, and I’ve been reflective. And I don’t care that My One Word turns out to be crazy-obvious.
This is one of the few posts that would end up in two categories: story and relationship. Simply put, I want to experience growth in both, and I find them inextricably linked.
Vision on the Page
As a writer, I want to craft authentic, believable characters on the page, the kind that draw readers in and captivate them. A story can be plot-driven, but there’s no substitute for meaningful characters we fall in love with, cry with, or want to support and protect in light of the events or other characters in the story. A character whose temptations and choices make a reader say out loud “No-o-o-o, you don’t want to do that!” or “Yes-s-s-s! I’m so proud of you!” really works on the page and has the potential to change a reader’s life.
Real people have real, felt impact on others’ lives. For better or worse, lives are changed by relationships. (I want to write about that!) The characters on the page interact with one another, with me (the writer), and the reader. There’s powerful potential right there! But life isn’t scripted, it’s not narrated by Morgan Freeman, and it’s not written in play-by-play fashion on the page. A reader needs enough detail to construct a sensible scene, and their grey matter takes it from there.
One skill I’d love to master is telling a good story with these kinds of characters but giving just the right amount of detail. In the name of “clarity” I might spell everything out. (I can almost hear myself say it—“No reader is going to misunderstand me!” ) Goodness! Readers are ever more clever than I give them credit for. If I tell them everything—which requires more words than a reader could possibly want to invest in—I’ll just end up boring them to death.
Now, all that up there is awesome, but there’s a monkey wrench in the whole thing. My WIP is part memoir. So, the another part of this craft “focus” for the year is connected to embracing reality (I’m writing a familiar character—me!), finding the significance in the story (Why should a reader invest her time, mind, and heart?), and exploring the purpose of the story (A story has powerful potential, and I want to unleash that!).
I try to guard against the ugly places a memoir can go. This isn’t the time to craft cathartic “yack” on the page. But I don’t want to ignore the significant people, events, and experience that could benefit others. As I think about it, this is the time to explore the potential in my story and discover its shape, size, and weight.
Vision in Relationships
It’s time to discover how relationship changed my life, both for better and worse. Hurt occurs in relationship, but that same hurt can be healed in relationship! I’m looking forward to sharing more about how relationship has transformed me in connection to my stories. (Do you have victories that look a little like that in your life? I can’t wait to hear more!)
I’ve got 2020 vision. Let’s see where the rabbit is running…
Vision in Life
I’m a bit of a Scrivener geek. (That’s an application you should know about, if you don’t know about it already, writers!) I’ve created a personal journal for this year that includes many of the daily “things” I like to keep in mind: my To Do list, health and wellness goals, daily journal, prayer journal, favorite quotes, Bible study, and an “I Spy” thankful list. If you’re looking for an opportunity to peek at my template, let me know. I might make it a download, if there’s interest.
Thanks for reading along! If you’re planning writing goals for this year, I’d love to see what you’re thinking about. Let me know where you’re sharing them so I can take a little look-see.
