How to Face Uncertainty When Creating a Storyworld
Figuring Out Dreaded Writer's Block & More
Welcome to the Apple Hair CANON!
Here, I’ll explore creating a fictional universe, and I’m hoping you’ll follow along with your own world. I’m by no means an expert, so let’s discuss how to create a believable, magical, and captivating world. Let’s be storycatchers together!
Want to read Apple Hair, the boy band fantasy novel, from the very beginning? You can start here! Apple Hair is a fictional, Asian American boy band from Hawaii.
Welcome to the newsletter, and I’m excited to lay down the foundations of our storyworlds together, one word at a time.
In the last post of the CANON, I talked about striking a balance in your storyworld, using the example of the touch of fantasy in my series Apple Hair. I definitely will continue that thread. But—I wanted to tackle a pressing topic that every world builder and writer will face. And that’s uncertainty while creating your storyworld. We all face it as writers—the tide of doubt that washes over us when we are in the midst of our building. How do we tackle it?
I have a question for you: How do you face uncertainty when creating a storyworld? Do you ignore it and push forward? Wait it out or sleep on it? Or do you have another technique?
Uncertainty usually happens in the middle for me—yes, the dreaded “sagging middle.” I could be the most excited person for my story when I first start. As I reach the middle of the second act, the temptation comes to abandon the story.
For Apple Hair, although my vision was strong, I still faced uncertainty when not knowing exactly how to tackle the dream world element. I knew I wanted to raise the stakes, to have the boy band members go beyond their tough K-pop-esque training and face a new challenge together. But how could I (again) strike the balance between fantasy and reality?
Honestly, I don’t have a surefire way to address writer’s block or uncertainty. However, I will say one thing that might help. In my experience, as you continue to create, laying one word in front of the other, there will be a day when you wake up and put your fingers on the keyboard—or your pen in front of your notebook—and a subtle certainty that you are writing the right story will be brought to light.
My editor recently reminded me of one thing—people are waiting for your story! Our uniqueness transfers into our storyworlds, and there will be a person who will be changed, challenged, and affirmed by your message. And even if you think that your storyworld doesn’t have a message, there will be something precious there for readers to enjoy. Sure, many have written about good versus evil, the power of love, and found family, but none are able to portray these themes in your unique way.
I encourage you to grasp onto the feeling you had when you first began creating. What was the key element of your storyworld? If you’ve gone off track while writing, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It will lead you to be more aware of the compass of your story. (Sometimes, it leads us to surprising places! And those are sometimes the best and most memorable.)
Honestly, I don’t know everything about story building. But I started this newsletter to learn with you. I am not a completely confident writer or world builder, but I do know that I’ll continue fleshing out the boys of Apple Hair, one moment at a time.
Maybe you have something to share with the other storycatchers here. Do you have a word of encouragement for the writers who are struggling with whether their storyworld is “good enough”?
I’d like to explain the word storycatcher too! I heard this word first from one of my coworkers, and it immediately stood out to me. Storytelling is sharing your own story, but storycatching is recognizing the stories of others too. I hope you can use this term in the future!
For my paid subscribers, here’s a link to early access to Debut in Broad Daylight. I appreciate you very much! A reminder that this is a very rough draft—meaning very unedited! You’re getting the first sneak peek, and the boy band members are glad you’re getting an early start with them.
What would you like me to discuss in the next post? Jump into my Chat or on one of my Notes, and I’ll be happy to hear your input. I’m praying for a spark of inspiration for both of us!