Every story must have a point. Without it, readers walk away, disappointed, saying, “What’s the point?’ So not only must the story have a point, the meaning must be obvious by the end of the story.
The all-important question is where and how to begin. A majority of storytellers are most comfortable with knowing the ending before they start writing. They say a story with no sense of direction easily bores readers, leading them to quit before they get to the rewarding conclusion. Others disagree, preferring a seat-of-the-pants approach.
While a clear target tells the storyteller which way to aim, the scene can be set with no special thought in mind other than to say, “Here’s what happens.” This approach is especially useful when writing nonfiction or basing a fictional story on an actual event. You build the scene, describe the actions, and see what kind of important lesson naturally follows.
Perhaps you’re writing about a young lady who launches out on a raft intending to cross the river, but she soon realizes that the current isn’t going to get her there. At this juncture, she wishes she had thought to bring something with which to paddle or push. Neither she nor readers know where she’s going or what will happen. You don’t have to know either, but you must take her somewhere.
You must give your character experiences that will mean something in the end. They must have some sense of purpose throughout the journey. Without that, the whole story is pointless.”
