37. Strengthening Your Story's Bones: Customized Support for Story Structure

In today's episode of Steps to Story, we're diving into one of the most crucial aspects of storytelling, your story's structure. 
For those of you who follow me, you'll know that my mission is to help you blend story structure with the story that's on your heart. Because as many of us know, it's not typically the actual story idea that needs work.
It's the structure, the way in which we're telling it that often requires strengthening. 
I'll be covering two related topics:
1) Strengthening the bones of your story
2) Getting personalized coaching that will empower you to go deeper
Tune in to learn more.
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Transcript

STEPS TO STORY EP 37 - Strengthen The Bones of Your Story Through Book Coaching

[00:00:00] Nicole Meier: In today's episode, we're diving into one of the most crucial aspects of storytelling, your story's structure. For those of you who follow me, you'll know that my mission is to help you blend story structure with the story that's on your heart. Because, as many of us know, it's not typically the actual story idea that needs work.

[00:00:21] Nicole Meier: It's the structure, the way in which we're telling it, that often requires strengthening.

[00:00:34] Nicole Meier: Welcome to Steps to Story, the show that helps aspiring authors turn their ideas into action and transform their dream of writing a book into a reality. I'm your host, Nicole Meier, multi published author and certified book coach. I spent the first part of my fiction writing career desperate for guidance that was unavailable to me.

[00:00:56] Nicole Meier: I wrote draft after draft, flying by the seat of my pants, with lots of passion but little guidance. Thankfully, there was a writing community that opened its arms and welcomed me. This community sustained me. But when it came to strengthening my novel writing process, I was determined to find a better way.

[00:01:17] Nicole Meier: One that didn't involve piecemeal strategies. and confusing courses. Now, more than a decade later, I'm serving my younger self who yearned for support while writing a book. If you're an emerging author seeking guidance, this podcast is for you. Are you on the list to get my novel writing guide? I designed this workbook to take you through five essential strategies that will level up your novel writing process.

[00:01:46] Nicole Meier: Grab your free copy at nicolemeier. com forward slash crafting greatness. That's nicolemeier. com forward slash crafting greatness or at the link in the show notes.

[00:02:07] Nicole Meier: Hey there novel writers, welcome back to the show. Today's episode is a little different and in the best way. Normally, we dive right into tips and strategies to help you improve your novel manuscript. And don't worry, we're still going to do that. But I also want to have an honest conversation about something that's close to my heart.

[00:02:25] Nicole Meier: Book coaching. Now, I don't usually talk much about my coaching work on here. And to be completely transparent, I wrestled with whether I should even bring it up. I know you tune in for advice on your writing journey, and that's why I'm here, to support you as you create the story that's been tugging on your heart.

[00:02:45] Nicole Meier: But the truth is, that's exactly what I do as a book coach. So it feels only right that we dive into how this kind of personalized support can truly help your writing soar. I want this to feel like a warm, encouraging space where we can talk about what's best for you and your creative journey. So grab a cozy drink, settle in, and let's explore how to make your writing and your entire process feel lighter, more inspired, and uniquely yours.

[00:03:15] Nicole Meier: All right, in today's episode, we're diving into one of the most crucial aspects of storytelling, your story's structure. For those of you who follow me, you'll know that my mission is to help you blend story structure with the story that's on your heart. Because as many of us know, it's not typically the actual story idea that needs work.

[00:03:36] Nicole Meier: It's the structure, the way in which we're telling it that often requires strengthening. So I wanted to dedicate an entire episode to this topic, but here's a warning, some of what I'm going to bring up in this episode might be seen as slightly controversial. More on this later. Okay, we're going to explore two things.

[00:03:57] Nicole Meier: First, why a solid story structure is essential in any genre. And second, how having a one on one book coach can be the key to developing a personalized story blueprint. Plus, we'll talk about why cookie cutter, one size fits all writing programs might be holding you back. See, told you, controversial. So whether you're just starting out or knee deep in a manuscript, stay tuned, this episode is for you.

[00:04:25] Nicole Meier: Okay, let's start with the big question. Why does story structure matter? In fiction, your story structure is like the bones of the body. It holds up everything. Without strong bones, your story could collapse under the weight of its own potential. I'm going to say that again. Without strong bones, your story could collapse under the weight of its own potential.

[00:04:49] Nicole Meier: Every genre, whether you're writing character driven upmarket fiction, contemporary romance, or psychological thriller, needs structure to keep readers engaged and moving forward. But here's the catch. Not every story needs the same structure. Sure, there are formulas out there, three act, five act, hero's journey, and they're popular for a reason.

[00:05:10] Nicole Meier: I personally talk all the time about one of my favorite ways to create a story roadmap via a seven point story arc. This is because oftentimes formulas and systems can be helpful. They can work, but here's the catch. They don't always serve your unique story if you don't have the opportunity to go deeper.

[00:05:30] Nicole Meier: This is where a book coach can make all the difference. When you work with a coach, you're not just getting general advice that works for most stories. You're getting tailored support that's customized for your project. A good coach doesn't just hand you a roadmap. They help you create a roadmap that fits your specific story.

[00:05:52] Nicole Meier: One that takes into account genre, your character arcs, your pacing, your voice. In larger generic programs, You might learn story formulas, but they often don't allow you the space to think outside the box. They focus on what has worked for other writers or in commercial contexts, but what if your story doesn't quite fit that mold?

[00:06:15] Nicole Meier: That's when it can feel frustrating, like you're forcing a square peg into a round hole. All right, you guys, I'm going to pause here and admit that I struggled over whether to share what I'm about to say next. I don't typically like to comment on other resources out there. I really don't. Instead, I like to focus on what I believe and what I offer, and then it's up to the writer to decide what's best for their own journey, but I'm bringing this up now because quite frankly, I'm beginning to see a trend.

[00:06:44] Nicole Meier: One in which writers will come to me after going through a large scale program that promises quick fixes and writing solutions. Yet, after a bit, these writers are sensing that their story is still lacking. The truth? They're correct in listening to their gut. Because with one on one coaching, you get to ask questions, dig deeper, and work through specific challenges that arise.

[00:07:07] Nicole Meier: Every scene, subplot, and twist can be shaped to fit the heart of your story. And your book coach is here for all of it. Okay, let's talk about some of the common pitfalls on relying too heavily on formulaic or quick fix approaches. First stop, predictability. If your story follows a formula too rigidly, readers can often see where things are going from a mile away.

[00:07:31] Nicole Meier: They're not surprised by the twists and turns because, well, it feels like something they read before. Another issue is detachment from the characters. This is a big one for me. Formulas don't always leave room for organic character development. Your protagonist might be forced into a plot point before they're ready, or they may be constrained by the quote rules of a structure that doesn't fully serve their journey.

[00:07:55] Nicole Meier: Even more, formulas almost always forget about going deeper with a character's motivation, backstory, and inner journey. Lastly, formulas can lead to a lack of creative fulfillment for you as a writer. When you're too focused on hitting certain beats at the right time, or concerned about rushing through a chorus otherwise you might get left behind, you may miss out on opportunities to explore the deeper, emotional layers of your story.

[00:08:24] Nicole Meier: You run the risk of not being able to enjoy the creative process as a whole, because it's turned into something you didn't necessarily set out to experience in the first place. That's why I believe personalized story structure coaching can be so invaluable. It allows you the opportunity to explore different possibilities, understand what works best for your particular narrative.

[00:08:49] Nicole Meier: And ultimately create something unique and compelling. And that's what we want, right? So if you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about your story structure, consider working with a trained and trusted book coach. If you don't know where to start, ask fellow writers for recommendations. Do your research.

[00:09:10] Nicole Meier: Just like how not every personal trainer or business coach out there is trained and worth their salt, the same thing can be said for the range of book coaches out there. Ask questions. See what samples or freebies are offered before you fully commit. So you can get a flavor of how they work. After that, go with your instinct in order to find the right support for you.

[00:09:36] Nicole Meier: Writers, whatever your journey, my wish for you is that you'll get the support and guidance you need to build strong bones for your story. Bones that can hold up all the beautiful, messy, complex layers that make your novel one of a kind. And remember, there's no quote, right way to work through a story.

[00:09:55] Nicole Meier: There's only the way that works for your story. Okay, thanks so much for joining me today. If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. I'd really appreciate it. And if you're ready to take your novel manuscript to the next level, check out NicoleMeyer. com, where you can learn more about personalized coaching and how I can help you strengthen your story's bones.

[00:10:18] Nicole Meier: Thanks for tuning in. Happy writing. Until next time.

[00:10:26] Nicole Meier: If you want to check out my coaching programs for fiction writers, visit NicoleMeier. com. That's M E I E R. And if you liked this episode, I'd love you to take a minute to leave a rating and review for this podcast. This will help more writers like you to discover the show and to get going on their writing journey.

[00:10:46] Nicole Meier: Thanks so much for listening. Until next time, happy writing, everyone.