Before we dive into today’s post, I’m delighted to announce that my family and I have moved back to our beautiful home of the West. New Hampshire will always hold a special place in my heart, but it is good to return to the open plains and towering mountains, both of which my neighborhood sits directly between. I see deer almost every day and am surrounded by horses and other livestock, including what appears to be a flock of sheep a little ways from my house. I am still debating if that’s what they are. They could also be goats. There are lots of goats here too.
Okay. Enough about goats. Let’s talk about books.
Core concepts are vital for keeping a story alive. Let’s say that you’re writing a book about dragons. “Dragons” is not enough to carry you through an entire story. “Dragons” is merely an idea. A concept is what sits in the middle—the beating heart, so to speak. The rock upon which your book stands. A concept allows us to answer the question, “What is my book about?” Back then, I didn’t consider core concepts, and my books felt listless, veering off in strange directions that didn’t serve the overall story.
I want you to think about How to Train Your Dragon. How would you describe that movie to somebody? I would say, “This movie is about a boy who refuses to kill a dragon even though his people are sworn enemies with them.” That is the core concept. That is the jumping-off point. It keeps the movie grounded. It keeps the characters’ ambitions aligned with the movie’s purpose. And it keeps us—the audience—focused on the right things. Once you have that core concept, THEN start creating your villages, peoples, and lands. THEN add the fine details and subplots. Always remember that a core concept should not be inserted. It should be built upon.
Update: Untitled Dragon Rider Project
Now, I bet you’re wondering about Untitled Dragon Rider Project. It’s been a long time since I’ve shared any updates. You’re right to question, traveler, because Untitled Dragon Rider Project has officially been placed on the back burner for a while (possibly even forever). My toil with Untitled Dragon Rider Project wasn’t normal. It was fueled by a belief that I HAD to write it. That if I didn’t write a good enough “dragon story,” I wasn’t successful. The process was draining me to the point of depression, and I eventually came to the conclusion that I had to stop everything.
It was hard, but undoubtedly worth it, because it made me realize what I needed—an honest story that aligns with my true desires as a writer, unhindered by perfectionism and fear. It‘s a big change, indeed, but it’s also a necessary step in growing my craft; I’m already feeling more confident.
When can you expect updates on a new book? I don’t know. It could be tomorrow, next year, or the year after, but one thing is certain: I will be writing. Because I DO know one thing. God called me to tell stories, and I won’t be giving up the passion He put in my heart. I’m going to chase it.
Until we meet again, traveler.
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