Story

Writing

Principles

Why Stories

Jesus told them a story

showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit.

Luke 18:1

Why Stories..?

• An article in the NY Times said,“Researchers have found that the human brain has a natural affinity for narrative construction. People tend to remember facts more accurately if they encounter them in a story rather than in a list, studies find; and they rate legal arguments more convincing when built into narrative tales rather than on legal precedent.”

• Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today. - Robert McAfee

• Stories incite emotion “Stories can conquer fear, you know. They can make the heart bigger.” Ben Okri

•Keeping our partners informed Inspire givingImpact of their partnership

•AccountabilityReport Management (Quarterly

Reports) Highlight your ministry

Why Stories..?

Stories… Where are

they?

“To be a person is to have a story to tell.”- Isak Dinesen

Every person has a story!

Principles of

Story Writing

BUILD your

character

• Why is the character in the story?

• What does he want?

• Where does this person hurt?

DEEPEN their struggles

• Your entire story pivots upon the struggle of your main character and what he is trying to

achieve, overcome or accomplish

• Use both conflict and struggles• Make the struggles more personal,

emotionally charged and difficult to overcome

HINT at their emotions

• Show emotion through action, dialogue and body language

• “Find the key emotion; this may be all you need know to find your short

story.” F. Scott Fitzgerald

SHOW their discoveries• A story is ‘transformation

unveiled’ – Steven James• Clarify their discoveries

COMPLICATE their choices

• Easy choices

make weak stories

• Accentuate moments of decision and illumination in your story