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Sketch the Shape of Your Story, and Other Tricks to Jumpstart Your Writing
Introducing a new series on writing hacks
Over the coming weeks, writer Sarah Stankorb offers a window into her process. She insists there’s no singular way to approach writing, but sometimes it helps to borrow other writers’ methods.
I’ve been writing professionally for over a decade, have published hundreds of articles and essays, and the gut-check moment before I begin is always the same: why do I do this to myself?
When a story matters to me — and I’m lucky enough that most do — I go into a curiosity-churning form of hyperdrive. I put books on hold at the library, gobble my way through what I can find on the internet, talk to one source after another until my brain is an overflowing gush. Once I feel like I’m so overwhelmed, so crammed with details that I’ll never find the top, I know I’m nearly ready.
It’s exactly at that point that I recognize I have no idea where to begin.
I’ve done too much reporting, too much research, and I’ve lost sight of the story.
No one will read my piece unless I find a way to wedge or mold it into one. I need an outline, if only to write my way out of the mess I’ve created for myself.
