Great Storytelling From Someone Who Is Not a Writer

“SIT DOWN TO WRITE WHAT YOU HAVE THOUGHT, AND NOT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU SHALL WRITE.”

-William Cobbett

“IF YOU WOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN, AS SOON AS YOU ARE DEAD AND ROTTEN, EITHER WRITE THINGS WORTH READING, OR DO THINGS WORTH WRITING.”

-Benjamin Franklin

Writing is like fucking in public; it's really just for me, but I do want to put on a good performance. Ultimately, whether you think I have a big dick or a small dick, I don't really care because I just really enjoy fucking.

I've discovered some kind of spark within me. I'm not sure how long it's been there, but I am fortunate enough to uncover it in the midst of a midlife crisis. This discovery is fucking full of emotion. I don't really care to analyze further how I'm able to write so much and come up with all these ideas. It's bordering on madness. Every day I write about 30,000 words and spend anywhere from 6 to 10 hours a day doing it. Yes, I'm unemployed at the moment, and the lack of responsibilities has left my days filled with additional coffee.

The other day, I made up a random argument in my head. I don't even know where it came from. I pictured two drug dealers arguing over who had the better blow, and I just started writing their dialogue. Why am I writing down the voices in my head? Is it proof of my insanity? Listening to myself, it seems like it might be, but then I create characters. They have conflicts and find solutions, and before I know it, I've got 10,000 words of a story. So am I a lunatic or just creative? I don’t think there is a difference. I don't know how long I'll be able to come up with this crazy shit, and I don't know if it's even good, but I'm having the best time of my life, and I want to take advantage of it.

What makes a great story? Or perhaps a better question is: What makes a story so great? Whether it be a revenge tale, a coming-of-age, or a heartfelt romantic love story, the engagement of the story depends little on its genre. For me, it's about being authentic and original. All the ideas I come up with are born from experiences I've had or things I've witnessed. Not every situation I write about played out exactly as I describe it, but every character is a real person I've met throughout my life. That's what makes it genuine—telling stories about real mother fuckers.

Emotions have to be authentic; you can't fake feelings. You can't make someone sound evil if you've never encountered an evil person. If you've never been afraid of someone, you can't accurately describe the trembling terror you feel or the relentless anxiety that keeps you locked up in your house because you're afraid they will find you. If you try to fake it, it will seem generic and unoriginal.

Take anger, for instance. If you've ever been consumed by a primal rage, where your strength seems unmatched and your determination unstoppable, you know it's not just an emotion; it's a force that takes over your entire being. It can drive a revenge plot, capturing the reader with its intensity and passion. The raw, unfiltered fury that propels a character to seek vengeance can create a narrative so fucking compelling that readers find themselves rooting for or against them with equal fervor. This kind of authenticity can only come from a place of true understanding.

Fear is another powerful emotion that can craft an unforgettable story. Think about the times you've been genuinely afraid—those moments when your heart races, your palms sweat, and every noise makes you jump. Fear can create a gripping thriller, where every shadow and whisper keeps the reader on edge. If you've experienced real fear, you can convey it in a way that makes the reader's pulse increase, or makes them check behind the shower curtain before taking a piss, feeling the same dread that your characters do. It's this kind of realism that pulls readers into the narrative, making them feel as if they're living the story themselves.

Love, in all its forms, can connect deeply with readers. Whether it's the first fluttering of a crush, the profound connection of a soulmate, or the heartbreaking loss of a loved one, love stories tap into universal experiences. When you write from a place of genuine affection or heartbreak, your readers can sense it. They laugh, cry, and remember their own experiences of love. This emotional resonance is what makes romantic stories so powerful. They become more than just tales; they become reflections of the readers' own lives.

Authenticity is crucial. When you've genuinely felt fear, love, anger, or joy, you can convey those emotions in a way that readers recognize as real. It's that authenticity that can trigger a good story. Different emotions can spark great stories. Anger can drive a revenge plot, capturing the reader with its intensity and passion. Fear can create a gripping thriller, where every shadow and whisper keeps the reader on edge. Love, in all its forms, can craft stories that resonate deeply with readers, making them laugh, cry, or remember their own experiences.

I've got a lot of raw emotions, and I've never been able to control them well. Through writing, I'm able to express them thoughtfully and truthfully. Authenticity is the cornerstone of a compelling narrative. It's not just about telling a story; it's about sharing a piece of your truth, no matter how fucking raw or unrefined it might be. And in that truth, readers find a connection, a reflection of their own lives, and that's what makes a story truly great.

Moreover, authenticity extends beyond just emotions. It encompasses the entire spectrum of human experience. It's about the small details that make a story believable—the way a character fidgets when they're nervous, the specific slang used in different regions, the unique way someone laughs or cries. These little nuances add depth and realism to your characters and settings, making them more relatable and engaging.

Consider the environments you create. If you've ever walked through a crowed busy city, hearing each of the sounds, the blend of odors from street food vendors, and the diverse array of people brushing by, you can recreate that vibrancy in your story. On the other hand, if you've felt the serene isolation of a quiet countryside, with its gentle breeze rustling the leaves and the distant call of birds, you can transport your readers there. Authentic settings rooted in real experiences make the world of your story more immersive.

Authenticity also means being honest with your readers. Don't shy away from the uncomfortable or the ugly. Life is not always pretty, and neither are good stories. Explore the depths of human experience, including pain, suffering, and failure. These are the moments that define us, and when portrayed truthfully, they connect deeply with readers. They see themselves in your characters' struggles and triumphs, and this connection is what keeps them turning the pages.

Furthermore, originality is key. While it's true that every story has been told in some form, your unique perspective and voice can make it fresh and engaging. Draw from your personal experiences and insights.