Reader Question: During rewrites, how can I tell if something is lacking in my story?
Reader question via Twitter from @SupportTheCos:
Cosmo, by lacking, I take it you mean this: Is something missing from my story? Is it not all it could be? Is there something more I could do with the story, but I’m just not seeing it?
Good questions. I’ll oftentimes have that concern when assessing a scene I have written. And experience tells me if that question arises in my mind, it’s probably right: There is more I can do with it. Or on a macro level, is there a hole in the plot I’m missing?
Of course, we can be blind to any of that. As you suggest, Cosmo, when we work on a story for a long time, we can get so close to it, we don’t have the kind of objectivity to make an informed judgment.
So my first piece of advice is a simple one: Once you finish your draft, set aside your story for at least 2 weeks. You need that time and distance away from the story to generate a set of ‘fresh’ eyes.
Indeed, why not use that time to research another story. Brainstorm. Character development. Plotting. This can serve as a kind of sorbet to cleanse the mental palate and create even more space between you and the first story.
After your break, sit down and read your script all the way through, start to finish. Have part of your mind attuned to this very question: Is something lacking? That clean read should give you a good indication if the story is close to being fully realized or not.
One particular area to focus on is theme. When I read another writer’s script and come away with a sense of it lacking depth or emotional resonance, it almost always revolves around themes. Either the writer didn’t zero in on a central theme and the story lacks a sense of coherent meaning or they didn’t explore sub-themes which are there in potential, just not realized.
How to explore themes? Dig into your characters. The central theme is often tethered to the Protagonist and their psychological journey. Sub-themes can emerge from the subplot relationships of other characters to the Protagonist.
Perhaps the single best way to determine if your story is lacking that special something is to have others read it. If you have a writers group, start there. Consider using some pro readers like those who provide script coverage at the Black List. They are affordable and a good way to get a sense of where your story stands.
But circling back, if you are asking yourself that question — Does my story lack something — that’s likely a good indication it is. Of course, that means more work rewriting, however the fact you even asked that question is a sign of your maturity as a writer, instead of just accepting the draft as is.
How about you, GITS readers? Any suggestions for Cosmo? If so, please head to comments with your thoughts and ideas.
To read over 300 reader questions and my responses, go here.
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