Bethany Henry: Writing & Wellness

Symbolism in stories is when   symbols are used to represent something else.  For instance, a red rose may signify love. A rainy day may signify sadness. Some authors and readers love symbolism. Plenty of books and college classes are devoted to the symbolism within famous books. Others think symbolism is too confusing and should be left out completely. Symbolism in Stories The truth is, symbolism is a powerful tool  when used well . When used correctly, symbolism can take our stories from good to great, adding depth, emotion, and power. Which means it’s clearly something worth paying attention to for us writers! Here is a roundup of helpful resources to guide us as we practice our use of symbolism in our stories. 5 Important Ways To Use Symbolism in Your Story  – Writers Helping Writers This is an excellent overview of the different ways symbolism can be used well, from tiny details to the representation to universal truths. Symbolism: The Complete Guide  – Nov...

Sometimes we don’t want to write. Sometimes we really  can’t  write- whether we don’t have the time, small gremlins are attacking us, or because we’re just completely exhausted. I’ve had trouble focusing lately and sometimes it seems like my brain isn’t quite working at full speed. (Or even half speed!) So what do we do when we’re dealing with chaos, exhaustion, and writer’s block? 10 Strategies For When We Can’t Write We  won’t  always feel like writing. So what do we do when writing is hard? 1. Take a walk Moving our bodies is good for both body and mind… and a change of pace and scenery can frequently spark writing-ish thoughts. 2. Review Goals, Motivations, Priorities Sometimes writing can be hard because we don’t actually care about the project we’re working on. Reviewing our motivations can help us refocus on what we find important and it can help us feel recharged with purpose. 2.5. Reset Goals as Needed If we find our projects aren’t lining up with our g...

I’m in a weird place with my writing right now. I just finished up some revisions on a novel that I’m querying with agents and I haven’t started in on a new big project yet. It feels a bit odd to be between stories. There’s a bit of hesitation- I don’t want to jump into a project that won’t turn out to be the “right” one (why do I overthink it all and make it mystical?) and of course the task of starting something new can be daunting. But it’s also an exciting time because everything is shiny and new! So many fun possibilities. So how do we go about deciding which story to write? How do we know if our drafts or story ideas are any good?? They may seem shiny and new at the moment but how do I know what stories have merit once the newness has worn off? Deciding Which Stories Deserve Telling It’s a big investment to decide what to work on next. I’ll be devoting a huge amount of time and energy to this project, and that is time and energy that I can’t give to anything else. It’s worth taki...

Life has been hard for a lot of us lately. It isn’t always easy to find things to be happy about. And it can seem almost wrong to want to be happy when there is so much suffering in the world. But there is nothing wrong about searching for joy in the midst of suffering. It doesn’t mean that we are in denial, it means that we are accepting a gift that has been given to us. Finding the Happy Moments What things are making you happy these days? Sometimes it really is the little things- the stars shining bright, a perfect cup of coffee, or a rare snuggle from my 5 year old. And really, the little things are big. As  Winnie the Pooh  said, “Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in our hearts.” And as  Denis Waitley  said, “A good life is a collection of happy moments.” Lately my happy moments have included a lot of walks outside- sometimes in the sunshine, occasionally in the rain. For music, I’ve listened to  Is He Worthy by Andrew Peterson  more ...

I’m thrilled and honored to be guest posting over at Fiction University this week talking about  5 Reasons Our Characters Need to Fail . I hope you’ll hop on over and check it out! (And be on the lookout for a meme featuring Uncle Iroh! He’s one of my favs.) Fiction University  is a huge treasure trove of information and resources so make sure you take some time to see all it has to offer. Originally published May 1, 2020 on Bethany-Henry. com.

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 ...