Discovering the ‘Why?’

Greetings and salutations, y’all!

Now that we have officially begun the process of finding inspiration for our writing, we can leap into the next step, which is an exercise to help us strengthen our initial spark.

As we discussed in the last blog, although the concept of figuring out our “Why?” might seem simple, it can actually be far more difficult than one might think. Take this conversation for example…

Mentor: What’s your next project going to be? 
Answer: I really want write a screenplay about a solider returning home from war.

Mentor: Why? 
Answer: Well, because I’m a veteran and I love war movies…

That seemed easy… We’re good to start writing now, right!? 

Wrong.

Sure, this is a great starting point, but it’s only the beginning. If you can’t answer at least 10 follow-up questions to this, I’d be willing to bet that you aren’t ready to start writing just yet.

Now, I know you’re probably thinking to yourself "10 follow up questions!? That’s ridiculous.”

Yes, I know this might seem like overkill, but trust me when I say the last thing you want to do is pour your heart and soul into a script for months on end just to realize it’s lacking depth, reason, and direction.

Check it out…

Mentor: So, tell me again… Why do you want to tell this story? 
Answer: Because I’m a veteran and I love war movies.

Cool, but a lot of people love war movies…

Mentor: Why do you love war movies?
Writer: Because it reminds me of the time I spent in the middle east when I was in the Air Force. 

Interesting, but not yet captivating…

Mentor: Why do you want to be reminded of that?
Writer: Because it was the chapter in my life where I grew the most.

Okay, but where are the specifics?

Mentor: Why? 
Writer: Because I learned a lot about life.

Still way too vague… 

Mentor: What did you learn? 
Writer: I learned how short life is and how I don’t ever want to waste mine.

This is nice, but a lot of people have this mindset.

Mentor: What was the catalyst to help you learn that lesson?
Writer: The last conversation I had with my best friend before he was killed in action was about salvation and how nothing in life matters if we aren’t dedicating every moment to living for God and sharing his love with others.

NOW WE’RE GETTING SOMEWHERE!!

Mentor: And how do you want to do that?
Writer: By using the voice God gave me to speak about my experiences.

We’re backtracking now… Let’s reel it in.

Mentor: Like what? 
Writer: Well, by the world’s standards, I have had a really great life for the most part, and I was never really tested until I was sent out on deployment. It was then that I realized none of my successes or comforts back home mean anything if I don’t have God.

I like where this is going.

Mentor: Did you believe in God before deployment? 
Writer: Yeah, but even the Devil believes in God…. That’s not enough.

Tell me more.

Mentor: Then what’s enough? 
Answer: A personal relationship with God.

We’re so close!

Mentor: So why do you want to tell this story?
Writer: I don’t want to tell this story… I NEED to tell this story. I want to provide my audience with the an opportunity to experience the same redemption, healing, and revival that God delivered to me when I was overseas, and I want them to see how God can use even the toughest situations for something good.

Bada-bing, bada-BOOM! Now we’re firing on all cylinders!

Do you see how within this one short exercise, the writer was able to dive headfirst into their “Why”? They started off with an answer that lacked depth, but this exercise allowed them to refine it into an incredibly deep meaning and purpose, which then transformed this story into one they want to tell into one they NEED to tell. How cool is that, right?

I hope this example showed you the importance of knowing your “Why?”

For more information on this topic, check out Venturefizz’s article or Bill Holme’s TedTalk on “The Power of Asking ‘Why?’”

Talk to you soon!
Your friend,
LK

Chase dreams. Spread hope. Celebrate life.