What is the point of your story?

Hi Reader,

The most common problem I see in the manuscripts I evaluate is an unclear point or a story that lacks meaning. Sometimes writers have no idea what the point of their novels is. But I've found that most of the time, writers know their point, but they don't know how to showcase it in the finished product.

What is the point?

In her book, Blueprint for a Book, Jennie Nash defines the point as "what the entire story drives to. It's the thing your reader will come away from your book feeling." In Story Genius, Lisa Cron says of the point: "It's what starts focusing you on the specific problem the story will tackle, and even more importantly, on what that problem will mean to your protagonist."

I like to think of the point as the lesson the protagonist will learn at the climax. Everything in the story should lead to this moment.

For example, in "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, the point of the story is that "greed is bad, giving is good." The plot revolves around showing Scrooge this, trying to make him change his ways.

The climax of "A Christmas Carol" is when Scrooge wakes up on Christmas morning and chooses to be charitable, to share what he has with others, and to stop being a recluse. This moment resolves Scrooge's journey.

In order to show Scrooge's growth at the end, the author has Scrooge start the story on the opposite side of this lesson -- as a very greedy, selfish person who doesn't want to spend more money than he has to. The events of the story (the plot) is what forces him to change.

Why is knowing the point important?

Everything in the story should relate to the point. Knowing the point early on will keep your plot and character arc focused. It will prevent you from going on side quests or adding extra characters that don't add anything to the story. It will help you write a satisfying ending.

How to Apply this to Your Writing

First, be clear on the point you want to convey through your story:

What is your novel about? What do you want readers to take away at the end?

Let's say your novel's point is that people should be free to make their own choices.

In order to structure your story around the point, define where your protagonist will start and end. This will form your character arc.

Where does your protagonist start the story (internally, emotionally)? They should start somewhere that will allow them to change and learn the lesson of the point. In our example, the protagonist should be someone judgmental or controlling, someone who doesn't like that people can decide for themselves or who doesn't like the choices they make.
Where does your protagonist end the story (internally, emotionally)? They should end by learning the lesson of the point. In our example, the protagonist will finally accept that people can make their own choices, by allowing them to think for themselves or by not interfering in their decisions.

As you can see, one point can be illustrated in many different ways depending on your protagonist or the type of plot you want your story to have. Once you have your start and end points, you can create a plot that will push the protagonist toward that end and force them to change. I'll discuss more about how to do this in future issues.

Helpful Resources

Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel by Lisa Cron - Lisa teaches a different way to think about story, using scientific research to explain what a story is and how our brains process them to help writers create novels with meaning. I love her practical advice and have applied it to my own writing. It has helped me dig deeper into my protagonist's backstory and motivations, and has actually simplified how I write so that I stay focused on the point and the why of it all.
Blueprint for a Book: Build Your Novel From the Inside Out by Jennie Nash - Jennie actually helped Lisa write Story Genius and created this book to complement Lisa's teachings. While Lisa doesn't believe in outlining, Jennie has created a simple worksheet that can help writers lay a foundation for their books, keeping them focused on what's important. Note: I use this book in my own coaching services (see below).

Your Questions

Reply to this email with any questions about this or any other writing-related topic.

Work With Me

My mission is for my clients to achieve a finished product that can stand out in the marketplace and reflects their vision and their message. I offer one-on-one coaching focused on the following areas:

Story Foundation & Outline - I'll help you develop your story idea into a clear foundation before drafting. This package is best suited tor writers with a story idea who want clarity, structure, and a solid plan before writing the first draft. Price: $600 for two rounds of feedback.
First 30 Pages Review - I'll help you polish your first 30 pages to hook readers. This package is best suited to writers preparing to query, submit to editors or contests, or who want to strengthen their opening before drafting further. Price: $200
Manuscript Evaluation & Revision Roadmap - I'll give you big-picture feedback on theme, character arc, plot, and stakes. This package is best suited to writers with a completed manuscript who need clear direction on what to revise and how to elevate their story. Price: $400 (up to 80K words).

If you're interested in any of my packages, fill out this form to schedule a free 30-minute discovery call to talk about your specific needs.