What is Your Story Question?
Keep the Reader Asking 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.
Hi, storycatchers! In the last edition, I talked about story inspiration. More specifically, your ultimate inspiration. On this hopeful Sunday, I want to remind you that Apple Hair: A Boy Band Fantasy Novel is coming out January 31! That’s less than a week! I am so excited for you to meet the five boy band members. My heart is racing. It’s available for pre-order, so just click the book title or the button on the top/bottom of the post to see it.
In today’s post, I want to talk about your overarching story question. This is the question that runs throughout your entire novel, novella, short story, or any work of literature—really!
In Apple Hair, the question is: will the five members of the band debut?
This ultimate question is threaded through every scene—every tense moment in the practice rooms, every argument, and every (very scary) monthly evaluation. It’s the force that keeps the story pacing going. After all, if the question was answered too soon, we wouldn’t have a story. If it was delayed forever and the question led to no developments, the reader might just throw the book at the wall.
I encourage you to think of your narrative question.
It could be simple! For example: Will she survive the war? Will he get the girl? Or—will he solve the mystery of the cabin murder?
Whatever your question is, make sure it’s enticing enough to keep the reader coming back for more! It could be a simple question, but ensure it has the depth needed to carry your story for however long it needs to be.
So, in Apple Hair, the boy band members ask this question early on, after they are formed into an official group and receive their name. However, there isn’t really a straight line to the answer. There are ups and downs, twists and reveals. And even at moments when debut seems certain, it is twisted away out of reach.
This question keeps the reader scanning the pages, wishing for their new favorite character to overcome whatever battle they’re facing.
Just off the top of your head, what is the story question for your current manuscript? If you don’t have a WIP, what is your favorite story question in literature?
This question is also called the dramatic question, and you could probably guess why! This central conflict will fuel the story. It’s what keeps the reader going, and it’s even what keeps us as writers going. Even the coziest of stories has a question dying to be answered.
An important thing to keep in mind: a story can have multiple questions! Smaller questions keep the reader satisfied whenever they are answered. And when a new one is brought to light, it adds intrigue. But—there should be one main question throughout the whole work.
As we ponder the meaning of dramatic questions, I am curious about something. What are you most excited to see in Apple Hair? Are you a K-pop fan? If so, I am certain that you’ll find something you’ll like. You might even fall in love with one of the members!
I’m super excited to talk more about the band, along with my favorite member (I know, I shouldn’t play favorites) and my favorite duos and pairings. In one week, you’ll be able to meet the true stars of the show and this newsletter—Van, Corrin, Kaden, Seiya, and David. They’re Asian Americans, Hawaii boys at heart, and totally committed to debuting and setting light to the world stage. Are you willing to follow along with them on the ride?
Thank you very much for joining the CANON this week. I have to give credit where credit is due. So, thank you to @stephanieflintauthor who wrote a Note that inspired me to explore my own story question. What would you like me to discuss in the next post? Comment below. Or jump into my Chat or on one of my Notes, and I’ll be happy to hear your input. Let’s continue to ask and explore in our destinies as storytellers!