The basic premise of the story is what the author learned about life while learning about how to convert one of his books into a screenplay for a movie. In this chapter, the author is talking with a friend about the friend's struggles with his teenage daughter (13 years old). The friend was frustrated because recently they found pot in the daughter's closet, the guy she was dating wasn't help guide her to a better life, and she wasn't involved with the family at all. Any type of punishment or corrective action was making things seem worse. The author then says the friend's daughter "was living a terrible story." When the friend questioned what he meant, the author explains that he had recently learned a story is about a "character who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it." Then the author says the daughter must just be caught up in a bad story. Interestingly, the author wasn't aware of the impact this talk had on his friend.
A few months later, the friend and his family were doing better. The friend explained that he helped create a better story for his daughter. The daughter didn't have a part that she felt was important and so she went looking for a story that made her feel wanted and appreciated, not matter what the consequences. "In the absence of a family story, she's chosen a story in which there was risk and adventure, rebellion and independence...people can't live without a story, without a role to play."
This got me thinking, what kind of story am I living? What kind of story am I creating for my children, family, and friends? How many people, children, teenagers, and even adults, are stuck in a bad story? How can I help create a better story?
I don't have the all answers yet but I know that being involved and helping them feel important will help in creating heroes and develop better stories. There are times when I think "My story is so boring. No one would ever want to read or watch my story." During these times, I try to remember that not every part is written into a story and my story is a lot longer than just this mortal life. Its often a matter of perspective and remember that we are the masters of our stories all while playing parts in the stories of others.
