Write Things: On Living Your Story

I’m sorry, but this one might burn a bit.

You’ve probably heard the old story: if you drop a frog into boiling water, it jumps out. But if the water is room temperature and you slowly bring it to a boil, the frog stays—never realizing the danger.

This week, we’re doing a temperature check.

Idea: On Your Story

It’s time for an honest check-in: is it important to finish your story? Does sharing your writing with the world matter?

If you’re reading this, I’m assuming the answer is yes.

Time is our most precious resource because we can never get it back. Every day matters. And every day can be seen as a scene or chapter in our lives—it’s all part of our story.

But if this were a story, and you were the main character, would your actions reflect that dream? Would your protagonist be characterized as a writer—or someone who just wants to be?

In any story, characters are shaped not just by their thoughts and dialogue, but by their actions. And anyone who’s studied story structure knows that for a character to succeed in their journey—for them to accomplish their goals or dreams—they must face and overcome obstacles.

If there were no obstacle, they’d already be living their dream, right?

What defines the story isn’t just the dream—it’s the choices made in pursuit of it. Especially when the stakes are high. These moments of decision reveal who the character truly is.

Big shifts are often made through small, repeated choices.

So today, will the protagonist of your story make a new choice?

Are there five minutes somewhere in this character’s day they could devote to their dream? Could they get up five minutes earlier or go to bed five minutes later? Are there five minutes of scrolling or screen time that could be repurposed?

Even the smallest action is a step forward.

It’s the movement from I want to be a writer to I am a writer.

Inspiration: “Beneath the surface”

Set a timer for four minutes and write continuously on the prompt above.

Then, get professional feedback on your quick-write! Try out Trevor Assistant, my personally programmed writing coach.

First, get a free credit here. 

Next, go to www.ihelpyouwritethings.com/trevor-assistant and get customized feedback, based upon my style, perspective, and voice!

Invitation: Activate Your Superpower

This is a continuation of an invitation from a couple of weeks ago, but it feels important to revisit. 

If you’re struggling in any way right now—whether with your writing or something else entirely—I invite you to use your greatest strength: your ability to write.

Too overwhelmed to sit down and work on your story?
Write about it.

Feel like there’s not enough time in the day—and that writing would waste what little time you have?
Write about that.

Terrified no one will want to read your words or care about your story?
Write that, too.

One of the clearest signs that fear, worry, or the inner critic is running the show is inaction. Paralysis. Or busyness aimed at every goal except the one that matters most.

But as a writer, you have a powerful tool. You can take that voice of fear or doubt and turn it into words. Write it down. Name it. Get it out of your head and onto the page. It’s one of the biggest steps you can take to move through it.

And if you give yourself just four minutes to do that?

You’re writing. And that’s what writers do.

I believe in you.

I’ve also got a webinar coming in June to help you with this exact issue. It’ll be free for newsletter subscribers—so keep your eyes peeled.

Wishing you and your stories all the best,
Trevor Martens
Founder, I Help You Write Things