The Power of Story

Stories bind us together. The best stories, whether real or imagined have a vulnerable character exercising extraordinary courage. Here is my friend’s latest:

 The other day some ants came into the house. But I didn’t mind because they are the only visitors I’ve had in weeks!

What makes this story so memorable is the universal connection we feel during this pandemic. From this two-sentence story we learn my friend is a very social person and that the restrictions placed on us during the pandemic have made her lonely. Vulnerability and courage are definitely on display here!

You have to know that my friend takes great pride in her house and loves to entertain. Her home could easily be featured in House Beautiful. Ants are the last thing I would expect to find there. But during these times of pandemic, any visitor is better than no visitor at all.

Everyone’s story matters. Whether you’re writing fiction or memoir, sci-fi or romance, incorporate vulnerability and courage to reel your reader (or listener) in.  A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on preserving family stories. Isn’t that what we all want in these difficult times? 

StoryCorps

One organization dedicated to preserving and sharing humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world is StoryCorps. Check it out to hear true stories with an emotional impact.

Take some time during this pandemic to create new tales and record family stories for posterity. Dig deep to discover the vulnerabilities of your ancestors and characters. Recognize the cost of their courageous acts, and reflect on how it shaped their understanding of themselves.

Stories bind us together, especially in this time of uncertainty due to the pandemic. Seek out the universal themes that connect us and write them down!