Bethany Henry: Writing & Wellness

Story structure is the framework that keeps our novels strong and makes them as powerful as they can be. Today we’re looking at the very last element in our stories- the resolution. The resolution of our story is incredibly important. As Mickey Spillane put it, “Your first line sells the book. Your last line sells the next book.” How our story ends is the impression the reader will leave with. We want our resolution to be as strong as possible. Here’s a quick visual overview of what our strong story structure should look like. The Resolution The resolution of a story is  after  the climax has been concluded. It could be anywhere from a few paragraphs to a few chapters depending on what the story needs. We don’t want the end of our story to be just an afterthought! It may not be the climax of the story but it’s still super important. Components of a Strong Resolution: Circle Back to the Start A powerful resolution often has ties back to the beginning of the story. The hero retu...

Sometimes writing is really hard. If you can’t be writing right now, that’s okay. You may be in crisis mode and that comes first. There may not be any mental energy for anything besides caring for yourself and those you are with. And that’s okay. Let’s be gentle with ourselves. Let’s have grace and patience with our limits. Let’s set boundaries and practice proactive self care. I talked recently about why creativity is important and what it may look like as we’re facing a global pandemic. Obviously it will look different for everyone. For me, writing has been hard lately. It’s hard to find time as our household schedules and routines are changing. When I sit down to write it’s hard to focus. I don’t want to push myself too hard because I know I need rest. But amidst the struggle, I’ve also been really encouraged by reminders of how writing really is magic. Two Ways Writing is Magic Writing Magic 1- When I Sit Down, Things Happen Finding time to wr...

I love reading quotes about art and creativity! They always makes me want to be more brave. They encourage me to keep trying. And they help me know I am not alone. May we be brave and keep trying today! For we are not alone <3 21 Creativity Quotes Persistence. Perfection. Patience. Power. Prioritize your passion. It keeps you sane. Criss Jami Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people. Leo Burnett I feel there is nothing more artistic than loving people. Vincent Van Gogh Everything is raw material. Everything is relevant. Everything is usable. Everything feeds into my creativity. But without proper preparation, I cannot see it, retain it, and use it. Twyla Tharp Your ego can become an obstacle to your work. If you start believing in your greatness, it is the death of your creativity. Marina Abramovic Your own reasons to make are reason enough. Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart. Elizabeth Gilbert Genius is only a ...

There is a lot going on in the world today. Please be careful and stay safe! I hope we can all take some time to evaluate how we’re doing today and maybe practice some activities that make us feel healthy both physically and emotionally. And if you don’t have time and you’re overwhelmed with other things- that’s okay too! Take care of yourself as best you can. Hang in there <3 Wellness Activities Evaluate Take a moment to check where you’re at with your physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health. (Use the handy guide in this post as needed!) This reflection can show us how we’re doing and what areas of our lives could use some attention. If there are certain areas we’re struggling with don’t hesitate to ask for help! Reach out to local emergency services immediately if there are any safety concerns or trouble accessing basic resources. There are people available to help and you’re not alone. Drink Water It sounds simple but it’s SO helpful! Drinking...