I hear from a lot of people, “I’ve been wanting to write a book for awhile.” What I say to anyone who says that is, then you should do it, everyone has a story.

It doesn’t matter if your story is fiction or non-fiction, we each have our own story that is important to share with others.

Many years ago my former wife and I were invited to go to a bar/night club by one of our martial arts students. While at this club I experienced something that changed my way of thinking. It was something very simple but for me very profound, and I’ve never forgotten it. It was also one of the best lines I’ve ever heard.

We were sitting at a table talking and watching people dance, when I got up and stood by a rail next to the dance floor close to our table.

While standing there a woman walked up to me and smiled and I smiled back, then she said the line that I’ve never forgotten. She said to me with a smile and a kind of quizzical look, “So what’s your story?”

I have to say I was a little taken aback. I was quickly trying to discern where she was coming from and wasn’t really sure how to answer. I could tell by the way she asked the question and her mannerisms that she wasn’t trying to hit on me or pick me up. Her question was sincere and honest. My first response was, “Umm, I don’t know.” She said, “ of course you know, everybody has a story, what’s yours?”

That interaction and engagement with this woman led to a fascinating conversation. It caused me after to really examine and think about just what my story was.

In my fiction writing I use that line to develop my characters by asking each character I’m developing and writing about, so what’s this character’s story.

In my non-fiction writing I do the same thing, asking myself, so what’s my story that I want to share and express.

Each time I ask that question I think about the fascinating woman who first asked me the question. I think about how she really was interested in “My Story.” She wasn’t interested in any bs or flippant response but one that was honest and thought-out.

I never talked to this person again that night. In fact, after our conversation I went back to our table and when I turned around the “What’s your story” lady was gone. It was like she disappeared and was only there to ask me that question.

So to any of you who are interested in writing…do it.

Everyone has a story, what’s yours?   

Photo by wadem