In the first part of this quest to define story, we’ve talked about actors, events, and plot. In the second part we looked at empathy and conflict, both of which in combination create suspense and carry the audience through the story. This creates an experience that makes the story feel personal and relevant to the audience and allows them to internalize what is happening.

Both empathy and conflict serve another purpose that we haven’t discussed yet: They help to convey a message.

We began this journey by taking a look at the story definitions provided by dictionaries. These definitions introduced us to actors who are defined by their ability to choose and perform an action, not by being a human character. We’ve talked about events, which are things that happen to these actors, or things that happen because of their actions. And we’ve talked about creating a plot by arranging these events in a logical order.

Think of a handful of stories.

Was that hard? Probably not. But have you ever thought about what a story actually is? It is not a book. A book can contain a story like a canvas holds a painting. Paint strokes can tell stories just as melodies and words do. But they are not stories. They only form them, when put in the right order. Woven like images created from colored threads.

When I was a child, I dreamed of having my own library. A place to retreat to and read a book in peace and quiet. One shelf filled with my own published novels…

Dreams change.

Now, I carry my books in my pocket wherever I go. I do not want or need a private room dedicated to books and reading.

Yet, as I begin this blog, I find myself thinking back to that image of a library. A place of knowledge and creativity. Art and science. Carefully wrapped in text to make the content accessible to as many people and generations as possible. To share, to learn, to enjoy. That is what this blog is about.