Have you ever pondered why some stories hit home while others fall flat? It all comes down to the powerful interplay of place, time, and character—those unsung heroes weaving the narrative thread that connects us to a tale. I remember wrestling with my own writing journey, feeling that my seemingly mundane childhood didn’t offer the drama of a classic coming-of-age novel. What’s a writer to do when their most exciting life events include snacking on Fritos with a neighbor? Sound ridiculous? Perhaps, but therein lies the challenge and joy of storytelling. Each corner of our lives serves as a backdrop with its unique essence—shaping who we are and the stories we choose to tell. In this article, I’ll explore how the essence of a place and its people shapes the fabric of storytelling itself. So grab a comfy seat, and let’s dive into the heart of narrative building together. LEARN MORE.
How a place, its time, and people underpin a story
I wanted to write a coming-of-age novel, but I had a problem. Nothing happened in my childhood. My next-door neighbor was my best friend. We liked to eat Fritos and watch cowboy shows. My family took vacations to the beach. I skinned my knee a few times.
Who wants to read that?
I knew I needed drama, but I wasn’t going to find it in my supportive family, our comfortable house, my loyal dog. (A German shepherd named Shep. Could we have been any less creative?) Everything about my upbringing conspired to frustrate my success as a first-time novelist. I blame my parents.
Rummaging around for a story, I gave some thought to what Annie Proulx has said, “It’s place that interests me — and the social and economic situation in a place — how people live, how they make their living, the culture — but the story comes from place.”¹ Here’s how she begins Brokeback Mountain: “They were raised on small, poor ranches in opposite corners of the state, Jack Twist in Lightning Flat, up on the Montana border, Ennis del Mar from around Sage, near the Utah line.”² If you’ve read the story or seen the movie, try to imagine a re-make that takes place in Tokyo or London. It falls apart.
