Get Ready to Write Your Story

First, you live, then you tell… Capture your life in words and be an inspiration to many!

Image by Anna Sulencka from Pixabay

Everyone has a story to tell. And everyone is waiting to tell that story…Sometimes they just don’t know how to express themselves, or if they should express themselves at all.

I believe we should all be given the choice, voice, and platform to express ourselves.

Because our stories matter. They reflect our lives, and our life choices, making us who we are — the real heroes of our lives. And, our life stories can be of immense inspiration to others.

Each one of us has within us stories of universal interest.

Tales of love and freedom, pain and conflict, that, though personal, can help you connect with many more who have had similar experiences.

All we need is a nudge in the right direction…

Or, some quiet time to reflect and write it down. Perhaps, we need someone to talk to or help us draft it… Hence the emergence of ghost writers or biographers who listen patiently, and pen your story the way you envision it.

Any way you look at it, your story is important.

Because, it determines how you view your life and how it plays out for you. And, because, before inspiring others, your life should first inspire you, and encourage you to do more and be more of who you are.

So, how do you begin to tell your story? Let’s start first by understanding what a story should ideally do…

Australian storytellers, Helen McKay and Berice Dudley described stories as, “a nourishment for our hungry souls… Stories are magic, taking us everywhere: backwards, forwards or happening right in the present time, transporting us to many places and situations we might never go.” (source)

Going by these lines, stories should make us feel good, elevate our spirits, give us hope, or take us where we’ve never been before.

But, more importantly, our narratives should help us transform our lives. By retelling our stories of adversity and triumph, we get more fuel to change our life course and charge toward our dreams.

As individuals we are telling stories all the time.

In conversations at work, at home, or even in social settings, to help us connect and engage with society.

Our stories help us create a small place for ourselves in the universe.

Stories are most impactful when they create a bond between the storyteller and the listener. When all that matters is the story being told, with the listener or reader in rapt attention.

For this, one has to use several elements of storytelling.

And, these elements — listed below — could make up the elements of our lives too, as you will see when you read further.

If they stir something in you, do begin to write your own story, and if you need any help don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Pink Pinjra.

Start with a premise

In film school, I was taught that every script starts on a basic premise or a theme. For example, a hero wants to free India of corruption and accomplishes his mission in one day. Thus, came into being Nayak: The Real Hero starring Anil Kapoor et al.

Similarly, every mission and purpose in your life can be stated in one line.

The idea is to come to a point of clarity and define that purpose. This process can take time, but once done, life becomes a smooth sail, and the attainment of goals becomes easier.

Establish the setting

We often start conversations by saying who we are, where we’ve come from, or what we do. Stories too have to be located in place and time.

Saleem Sinai, the protagonist of Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children was born on the midnight hour of India’s Independence… From thereon, every incident of his life was a metaphor for the struggles of a new nation.

Your environment becomes a background for the life you’re currently leading.

For the situations you face, and the way you deal with them. We make do with what we have or don’t have. But overcome the environment we must… Because, eventually, the background of your story stays exactly there — in the background.

Work with your characters

Every story comes with its set of characters. There will be supporting actors, sidekicks, villains, and comedians. For example, no Shakespearean tragedy was complete without the Fool.

Characters take the story forward. They add their own idiosyncrasies and give the story extra spice.

In life, as in work, identify your support systems. Many will take your journey further, while still others may hold you back. But, all add value, and bring in their wisdom, playing some role or the other in the grand script of your life!

Get ready for action

Like any story, life too is full of action… Full of twists and turns in the plot. But our readiness to deal with these twists and turns comes from our nimbleness to think and act.

We have to be geared to respond to life’s various possibilities.

Sometimes, this comes through equipping yourself with various skills. Sometimes by keeping an open mind with a willingness to learn. And at still others, by simply staying positive, and taking each day as it comes.

Resolve conflicts

In movies and books, conflicts add to the drama and keep the audience on edge… They make the reader turn one more page, as they make the protagonist unravel one more hidden strength in his armour.

In life too, conflicts could be many, first with yourself and then with those around you.

But, conflicts can be a drain, both for you and the other. And thus, resolving them quickly is key, making you move faster toward your goals.

So dip into that abundant vessel of forgiveness within you, and feel more peace and serenity in your life.

From now on take charge of writing your own life script. Design a plot that is completely yours, and take your story to its happy ending.

As an individual blogger and content consultant, I have learned how to get into the finer nuances of a subject and create content that reflects the ethos of the story, brand, individual, or organization.

If you too have a story that you would like to tell, either as a blog or a book, do get in touch with me and we can work on it together.

Till then, keep reading, and if you liked the blog, do applaud, repost, or subscribe to Pink Pinjra to get our content in your inbox.

The article was first published on Common Sense Living, a digital publication with new-age lifestyle and wealth-building ideas.