Why Must I Write This Story?

As a book coach in training, one of the first questions that is asked of writers is “Why must you write this story?”

Many people tend to answer in a very general sense explaining why they want to write or what has made them become a writer. However, very few people are initially able to focus on why they are the ones to write the story that they want to write. In other words, why couldn’t someone else write the story they want to write? See the difference?

To illustrate what I mean, I thought I would write about why I am the one to write the novel that I am currently working on. First, let me give you a very short plot description of my fiction novel.

When Korean-born adoptee Alisha discovers her daughter, Lexi, is diagnosed with childhood leukemia, she finds herself needing to search for her biological family in hopes of finding a donor for a life-saving bone marrow transplant. To do this, she must face her traumatic past and come to terms with her adoption experience.

So, why must I be the one to write this story?

First, I am the model for the character of Alisha. In fact, her name comes from my own middle name — a name that I have always loved and felt suited me more so than my given first name.

Second, the topic and story are timely with the rise of Asian American awareness and the increase of adoptee voices. Even though I have had this story in my head since I was in college, it did not feel as imminent in developing until recently. Timing is important.

Third, while someone else could develop this story in a similar way, no one else has had my experiences to draw from, and no one else has the creation of the situations and story development that I have mulling through my head. This is the uniqueness of each writer and their take on the stories they want to write.

The third reason is one that basically all writers can use to give their reason for why they are writing their particular stories. The main thing is that the writer is clear about their reason for writing their story.

It is important to focus on this because we may have many reasons for writing and some of us may write for different outlets. Therefore, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of why we are embarking on the journey of writing a novel and why that is the story that we want to put all our energy into.

So, why must you be the one to open 📖 the sunshine ☀️ into your heart ❤️ to tell the stories📚 we all have waiting to be told?