Everywhere A Story

by Peter Leavell 
@peterleavell

You have one job.

Like troubadours of old, you tell stories.

This blog page's name hints at your storytelling medium. Novels!

That's good. No, that's better than good. That's fantastic.

So, a little scope about how stories propel our lives might be in order.

The first human did something—something either so stupid or so profound he had to tell someone about it.

Storytelling and taking in a story is a part of every breath we take.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF US

At night, our minds turn jumbled thoughts into a logical progression of stories.We stretch in the morning and either remember the dream or not.

What's next? Do you check Facebook for snippets of stories that are connected with characters who you probably met once but you don't remember where? Or Twitter, where the thought put down is so short you read them twice or three times?

Then you race to a job.

Working in a cubical. BORING. Until Susie pops her head over the gray wall and says, “Hey, can you believe what John just said to Marsha?” Boredom gone.

When home, you pop on the TV when home and catch the news. Tidbits of bizarre stories (news is abnormal human behavior) cover half an hour, then the local broadcast to see if anyone you know did something ridiculous you can use for blackmail.

Next is a gameshow. We learn a little about folks (Johnny is a brain surgeon) and they compete by guessing questions to answers, a quick little story unfolding, highlighted by the greatest soundtrack in the history of humanity. Then another gameshow story (Billy is interested in bright things) to guess letters and figure out a phrase.

Then television is hourlong story after story.

At night, we read a story, or a non-fiction story (science, art, etc) about our world.

ZZZZZZZZZ

Our lives are built on an obsession with stories. I sit with my wife for dinner and we tell stories about our day.

Jesus Juke—parables. Need I say more?

Good news! You're a novelist. People crave your work. By all means, make your stories palatable by learning the art. But evidence is in— story trumps everything.

So go boldly, telling your story!

TWEETABLES
Everywhere A Story by Peter Leavell (Click to Tweet)

Like troubadours of old, you tell stories.~ Peter Leavell (Click to Tweet)

Our lives are built on an obsession with stories.~ Peter Leavell (Click to Tweet)

Peter Leavell

Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. Learn more about Peter's books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com.