How does fiction writing influence the personal growth of writers? As you know, the interest we have in stories is more than entertainment or a past-time to forget about life. Yes, we will use stories to escape from stress for a little while, but stories have value beyond an intermission to life.
Stories can give people a new perspective. Because we imagine adventures and amazing characters daily, we can’t escape that effect.
Have you ever read a novel and related to something a character endured, felt, or a specific thought process they had? Have you had an ‘Ah-ha’ moment when you recognized a trait in a character that you shared?
These accidental occurrences are wonderful and sometimes eye-opening, but what if we intentionally sought the personal growth fictional stories can spark?
What would happen then?
What it Looks Like…
Some time ago I was conducting introspection concerning the person I wanted to be. At the time I wasn’t feeling good about my life or my writing life habits, and I wanted to change—become a better version of myself. But what area of my life should I seek personal growth in? I didn’t know.
So, like any self-respecting storyteller, I sought insight from fictional characters. I made a list of the fictional characters I loved or admired, and then brainstormed what traits and habits these characters had that made me admire them.
Once the list was finished I reviewed my work, and noticed many similar attributes these characters had in common. Some attributes I had already been working to cultivate, but others I lacked.
Then a thought struck me.
I had always wanted to visit my favorite story worlds and live the extraordinary lives these characters did, but the impossibility of that dream disappointed me.
Then I realized to be a part of an adventure I didn’t need to travel to another world or live someone else’s life. To live a life I would actually want to wake up in the morning to, all I needed to do was cultivate traits I wanted to live by, like these incredible characters did.
And these characters didn’t sit around for change, so why should I?
I decided what habits and traits I wanted to grow in myself, and resolved to make decisions based upon their values.
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But is Drastic Personal Growth Possible?
There is controversy about the ability for a human to enact great change in themselves. In fact, many stories pose the question of whether a person can really change.
Which brings us to the question, “How much about our personalities and habits do we really have the power to change?”
Case 1: No Change
I am not good in math, I’ve never been good in math, and I won’t be a mathematician anytime soon.
But I remember in high school thinking my problems in math were of my own infliction. I reasoned that if I just kept an open mind and tried extra hard to understand my problems with this subject that they would disappear. A few moments later I was staring at the equations again and was rudely reminded my brain was not gifted in that area.
In intelligence, musical talents, physical coordination, and the such I believe we can always learn and show improvement, but everyone is not gifted the same amount of talent in each area.
For example, while many can complete math equations with ease I envy, I have a strong imagination and apt for making up stories that they may not be gifted in. We all have different talents and interests, and it helps keep the world interesting.
Case 2: Personal Growth and Change is Possible.
While we can’t control how much natural talent we have in a given area, we can choose what we spend time on, what habits we pursue, and what we value in life.
However, some argue that this type of change is still impossible. For example, if you are a person who always runs late to work, events, and appointments, some would say that is who you are and will always be.
It’s like a writer who runs out of time to write everyday and accepts that is just how their life is and there’s nothing they can do about it.
Well, I strongly believe you can change these parts about yourself. You don’t need to stay stuck in the identity of ‘the late person’ or ‘the cranky person.’ You can choose how you manage and live your life.
Real inspirational stories are often about the underdog who came out on top and achieved their dreams. If you look closer, there was change they had to make before their victory could come. They didn’t settle for being the underdog, they chose to live their life another way.
And so can we all.
A Note on Comparison…
Now, many wise people in the world will warn you about comparing yourself to other people, and I will do the same.
Wait…wasn’t that what this blog post was about—comparing yourself to characters and people you admire?
No. I don’t want you to be jealous of others or sink into disappointment by comparing your success and personality against others. Focusing too much on the successes, positives, and negatives of other people’s lives does no one good.
The point of this blog post is for us to learn where we can start personal growth. Once you know what change to focus on, start focusing on the decisions you make, not the lives other’s live.
Don’t torture yourself by comparing your life against someone’s else’s life. Instead, compare your life from last year with your life now.
You are the only human living your life, so live it uniquely.
What Will Your Personal Growth Look Like?
So, what do you like and admire about your favorite fictional characters?
What do you admire about other fiction writers?
How will you become who you want to be?
The other night I watched one of those magical fantasy movies which makes you want to take on an adventure by the end credits. As the final scene ended I remember having felt disappointed in reality after similar movies.
But as the curtains closed this time, I knew that while this fantasy world was fictitious, the magic in my life wasn’t.
If I want an adventure, I can have one. Who I become tomorrow and what life I pursue isn’t in another human’s hands. The only being who has any control of our lives other than us is God, and he gave us lives with extraordinary potential.
To think an ordinary existence is all we get is an ugly lie. Don’t give into that. If you want to be that relentless character who changes the world, do it. If you just want an adventure for a day, go out and find it.
The first step to making a change in your life is deciding to do it. Believe that you can, and the impossible becomes a little more possible.
Aren’t you tired of the complaining and the dreary lives people live? I know I am, and I don’t want to settle for surviving life. I want to live, experience, and make a difference—just like my favorite characters do.
What’s stopping us? A misconception about the structure of life. That’s the only thing stopping us.
Change is Hard…
Living better, being better, isn’t easy, but neither are the trials our characters go through. As writers we know the trials we put our characters through are there for them to grow stronger and wiser. To be who they need to be to reach the last page, they need to go through some excruciating struggles.
It isn’t any different for us. Take a moment to process this: We are the characters in our own stories. What kind of character do you want to be? What kind of character would you want to read about in your story?
That’s your answer. Be that person.
Start Your Growth…
1. Make a list of ten fictional characters you like and/or admire.
2. List the traits and habits these characters which you admire practice (you can also list the ones you dislike).
3. Which of those traits and habits would you like to cultivate in your life?
4. What bad habits do you want to get rid of in your life?
5. How will you start? Brainstorm specific examples which relate to your unique life.
And welcome to the new you : )
There may be adversity when you begin your personal growth. People don’t always like you to change, because it challenges the way they live.
If there isn’t resistance outside of yourself, there will certainly be struggles within yourself opposing your personal growth.
Remember, those voices are lies so close to the truth we fall for them. Don’t give in.
It is possible…
Today, I am closer to the characters I aspire to be in traits and habits. I have a long way to go, but I have traveled a good way, too.
In the past I would get a pang in my stomach because I didn’t have a character’s life, adventure, or personality. Now I look at these characters and see who I want to become, and I know it is possible to live an amazing life.
It’s possible for everyone in the world, we just need to believe it.
Keep telling stories,
Sarah
Featured Photo: By Negative Space from Pexels
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S.J. Siedenburg is a thriller & fantasy novelist, an editor, and a bibliophile with a passion for stories and helping writers finish their novels. She’s the author of the guidebooks Character Presentation, Before the First Draft, and the How to Write a Novel online course. Six of her short stories have been published through writing contests. Sarah lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” —John 1:5