A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to spend two days in a writing workshop taught by Mary Carroll Moore. The workshop was called “How to Plan, Develop, and Write a Book” and Mary has been giving this workshop for years. She recently published a book called Your Book Starts Here, based on her workshops. I highly recommend the book, especially if you can’t get to one of Mary’s workshops.
There were all kinds of writers among the workshop attendees. Some people were writing memoir, others were writing mysteries, romances, or literary fiction, and still others were writing nonfiction books on diverse topics such as health and fitness or architecture.
Many people came with works in progress (as I did) while others just had ideas in their heads. Both groups were able to move forward from where they were with the process Mary explained during the workshop.
One of the ideas that I found the most helpful in thinking about how to make my own novel better is the idea of separating the “inner story” from the “outer story.” Mary explained the inner story as the internal thoughts and motivation of the characters (or the reader if you are writing nonfiction) and the external story as the events that happen to the characters (or reader).
This concept didn’t really sink in until after the workshop. I realized that I had not separated the two enough during the workshop and that was what made my story so difficult to describe to my partners when we broke into small groups. I kept trying to explain why each thing happened to my character and why it was important, rather than just setting out what happened and checking to see if it all made sense before moving on to motivation.
My partners seemed to have the same issue as I did, at least by my observation. Maybe that’s what allowed the problem to become so clear to me as I thought back over the workshop.
Any good story has to have interesting things happen, and they have to happen for good reasons—but as writers we can tease out the “what” from the “why” so that each is a complete thread of its own before weaving the two back together. The reader will (hopefully) never see the threads but only see the beauty of the whole.
After taking Mary’s workshop, I feel like I have a great tool to allow me to dive into my story as I’ve written it and make it better and stronger. Before her workshop, I had rewritten the novel twice and put it away as I wasn’t sure where to go with it next. Now I have a way into my next rewrite and I feel that I can follow the path Mary has made all the way to a finished, polished piece.
Wish me luck! And, if you have a book project that has stalled, consider getting Mary’s book—I bet you’ll be glad you did.
Diane MacKinnon, MD, is a master certified life coach, writer, and family physician. She is currently working on a novel sporadically and blogging regularly here at L2W-W2L and at her life coaching blog, Healing Choices.
Live to Write - Write to Live 
I’ve also struggled with this, Diane. Once I learned how critical the inner story is for each character it helped me to clearly define each character’s motivation and move the action forward.
Hi Reese,
Thanks for your comments. Mary really helped me see how I could clearly define each character’s motivation and move the action forward, as you said. Before last week I was totally confused as to how to do that!
Happy writing and thanks for reading!
Warmly,
Diane
Wish u good luck to differentiate the “inner story” of your characters with “outer story” of incidents. As far as my reading is concerned, the characters should assign with the definite trait of sixth sense that assist in moving the plot into an unexpected situation for the readers. This is the very thin line that only maintains by shrewd writers who are masters in reading the mind of their own readers.
Hi swatik6,
Thanks for your comments and thanks for reading. Yes, the masters seem to create characters that are completely three-dimensional. I feel like I got a glimpse into how to actually do that with the workshop I went to.
Happy writing!
Warmly,
Diane
makes you think and look at your work from an outside view. We so get caught up in the details ..good stuff and always love your blog so inspiring girl!! T
Hi tressalee,
Thanks so much for your kind words. You really made my day! I agree, I was so wrapped up in the details of my story that I totally couldn’t see it from an outsider’s view–until the workshop. It was so helpful.
Thanks for reading!
Warmly,
Diane
blessings to you and your gifts!
Thank you! This is really helpful, especially since I got the comment that a beta reader wanted more insight into one of my character’s motivations.
Hi onibabamama,
No, no, thank you! I’m glad you found the post helpful. Check out Mary’s book if you want more info!
Thanks for reading and good luck with your story (and your character!)
Warmly,
Diane
Thanks, Diane–so glad you came to the workshop and got so much out of it. I really enjoyed reading your blog. Wishing you all the best! Mary
I’ve attended many of Mary’s courses over the years. Some of them more than once. Her organic approach to writing and her style of instruction is engaging and encouraging and filled with an experienced voice. In many ways she is why I keep fighting with my book, she keeps unlocking one breakthrough after another. Good luck with your book.
The inner story and outer story is one of those things that you almost know intuitively, way back in the deep recesses. And then I read something like this and have the ‘aha’ moment. A sense put into words and clarified. Thanks for the post and the book recommendation.
Yes, I took Mary’s class about a year ago. I met her through NH Writer’s Project and she was holding workshops at SNHU in Manchester. One weekend with her, and I was sold. I bought her book and it has been my constant companion as I write my next story.