Q2 Week 4 CRAFT: a Growth Spurt

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

In your manuscript, your characters must face conflicts. But here’s the thing… so must YOU as a writer. In our manuscripts, we often write about protagonists with clear goals and carefully laid plans. But what truly shapes their story, and ours, is what happens after they hit an obstacle.

Imagine your protagonist, journeying towards their goal, suddenly hit by an unexpected challenge. It could be a rejection, a plot hole, or a personal setback. It's not the obstacle itself but their reaction to it that defines their character and propels the story forward. This is where true growth happens.

If the obstacle knocks them (or you) down, remember that falling is not failing. It's an opportunity to rise stronger. When your character, or you as a writer, gets back up, there are two paths of growth:

Positive Growth

Realizing that obstacles aren't dead ends but detours. This growth is about resilience, finding new ways to navigate around challenges, and emerging more confident and determined.

Negative Growth

Momentarily losing belief in oneself. This too is growth, albeit painful. It’s about introspection, understanding vulnerabilities, and eventually finding the strength to overcome them.

Each fall, each setback changes you. It adds depth to your character and richness to your narrative. Remember, one step back can be the run-up to a leap forward. Progress is not always linear; it's a dance of advances and retreats.

In writing, as in life, every obstacle is a plot twist that makes your story unique and your character (or you) more relatable and human. So, embrace these moments of being knocked down. Keep pushing through, keep growing, and keep writing your story. Because in the end, every setback, every fall, is a stepping stone to a stronger, wiser you.

Let art imitate life. If you’ve faced any setbacks this week, let them turn up in your manuscript. Have your character deal with the fallout. It will help you to work out what to do in your real life, but it will also help to strengthen your manuscript and make readers empathize with your characters. Go on. Try it ❤️