Volume III / Issue 14 — 13 September 2022
We are all storytellers. As writers, we tell stories, quite literally, with our words. But as humans, we also tell stories with our thoughts and actions.
So, what makes a good story? And what makes a bad story? Answering the second question is a lot easier. A bad story is what happens when the writer relies on the window dressing instead of the structure. If you focus only on the message and don’t have it supported by thoughtful analysis and a clean construction of sentences and flow, the story will fall apart because it will feel ungrounded and flighty. “Stream of consciousness” writing often feels like this.
Now, what makes a good story? A good story is grounded, thoughtful, and personal with both analysis and structure. A good story is engaging, but it takes a great story to truly captivate an audience.
A great story has something more—it has a quality about it that defies explanation and is only able to be written by the one behind the pen. You could potentially call it authenticity, but it’s still more than that. It’s authenticity combined with willingness combined with desire or need. Truly great stories NEED to be told. They have an urgency about them, a desire to come forth into the world. A great story has that special something only you can give to make it come alive.
At IOM, we love storytelling. Every book we publish (and every product we design) tells a story. But there’s one larger story we strive to tell in everything we do, and that’s a story of empowerment.
- Through giving a platform to others to share their story.
- Through raising up voices you may not otherwise have heard.
- Through highlighting our humanity whether it be through something inspirational, educational, or entertaining.
Next week, we are adding to our catalog with a book that is grounded in storytelling. Rebirth by Kate Brenton is magical. It weaves together the unique stories of nine individuals, providing the reader with inspiration to write (or rewrite) their own.
So… What’s your story?
All my best,
Martina
“You’re never going to kill storytelling because it’s built into the human plan. We come with it.“
– margaret atwood –
‘Rebirth’ by Kate Brenton
Real-Life Stories About What Happens When You Let Go and Let Life Lead
When life is calling, often we need only the space and the support to remember our way. Sometimes we lean into our expansion, and sometimes we bolt from our greatness. The biggest shock is that big change happens in small choices.
In Rebirth you will find real-life stories of people who made courageous leaps, inspiring you to make your own. It’s time to step out of line and back into the spiral of life—that’s where the alchemy is. This book fits right into the side pocket of your bag + your life to inspire you as you read others’ stories of how they listened and learned to make embodied changes in their own lives.
Recent Blogs
9 September 2022 — Jill Kempner
The Shadow of Clairsentience — The full moon is a potent time of illumination, celebration, and heightened intuition. For earth angels, the full moon can sometimes be overstimulating because of … Read more
7 September 2022 — Sarah Flick
Sarah’s Writing Tip #2: Value Encouragement
I wanted to write a book almost as soon as I learned to read. The more I read, the more I wanted to write. … Read more
We are adding new blogs every week from many of our authors. Everything from seasonal recipes to moments of inspiration to writing tips.Check them out and discover your new favorite way to experience our talented authors’ and artists’.
Want to be the first to hear about our upcoming offerings?
