A Little Service

I’m not writing as much these days. I finished a book recently and after sending it to my agent have been knocking around wondering what’s next. I’ve probably consumed more political news than I would have otherwise, which normally keeps me awake at night, but not so these days. I am reminded that I’m glad I’m not a politician or a political operative. You’d have to really like arguing with people, which is exactly what keeps me up, except that everyone with whom I’m arguing is imaginary. I always lose those debates.

I think of storytelling as the opposite of arguing. They are related, however. Two people can look at the same the same crying child, say, and draw two completely different conclusions: The child is spoiled and knows only one way to get what she wants; the child is disappointed and confused by a world that seems unfairly random. Maybe both are true in certain ways. Regardless, the storyteller chooses the version that interests them most. It’s not about right or wrong. Every detail in the story is there only to serve it, and the story serves the author, who also serves it in the telling.

Then you finish, and if you like it there’s only thing to do with it. Every artist knows how this will go. Some will like it and some will not. Some will wish you told a different story or think the one you told is misguided or boring. They may start an argument about your story called a review. Do not join that conversation. There’s nothing to debate. They are correct that they don’t like it, and you are correct that you’re glad you told and shared it. Everyone’s right because everyone’s looking for the stories that will serve their lives.

I like it when I hear politicians talking about service. Some of them mean it and some of them don’t. They’re only human, after all, and people can be selfish when they start believing there’s not enough of whatever they want to go around. There always is, but you have to know where to look for it. Writing reminds me that the search begins and ends in the same place, and I need go no further than my own desk to take that journey of discovery.

Check out Fearless Writing with Bill Kenower on YouTube or your favorite podcast app.

Everyone Has What It Takes: A Writer’s Guide to the End of Self-Doubt
You can find William at: williamkenower.com