Thank you for featuring my writing. I’m honored you resonated with it. When I was writing it, once the ideas were solid, I set out to follow a classic “rags to riches” story arc. It’s just like you described, a tale of transformation.
I’ve recently been reading The Seven Basic Plots. All except tragedy look at transformation from their own viewpoint. I think more essayists could appreciate what plot gets after (and what you wrote here) when they write. It’s universally appealing.
Thanks so much for featuring my pieces, Chris and all the feedback and encouragement you’ve given me! As your unofficial curator 😂, I’d be remiss not to mention your recent essay on Hero’s Journey if readers want to learn more about transformation essays or Chris’ own Hero’s Journey https://chr.iswong.com/essays/where-are-you-in-your-heros-journey/
What you said about transformation pieces resonated with me. Some of the best feedback I ever get (often from Rachael) is highlighting that I am writing a transformation essay and that I need to pull that aspect out more. Usually by being more vulnerable and doing some self reflection. I really enjoyed Chaos curation piece of your work!
Love this, Chris! I never realized just how many transformation essays occur in Write of Passage, what a great observation. I think the nature of the course and the supportive environment leads many of us to reflect on and explore our inner selves and our lives, and thankfully we have wonderful editors like you who help us make sense of them! I hope to return and give back the same way!
Thank you for mentioning my essay - I’m glad it spoke to you and I’m touched that it stuck with you! Gonna keep trying to do that little girl proud 😊
Yeah, I only realized when I realized that my feedback had the same pattern for most of the essays. Transformation essays are really powerful for the writer and the reader.
Loved this newsletter! Thank you for all your feedback and conversation this cohort. Can't wait to keep jamming with you! And I'm beyond honored that you enjoyed my essay 🙏🏽
Thanks! From the Hero's Journey, I figured out that all stories can be retrofitted. You're the author, you can cut and paste the narrative together to hit the beats that you want.
"If the writer only includes the “Before” stage, they're complaining. If they just tell the lessons, they're pontificating. If the essay is only the “After” stage, they're bragging. They have to realize it's a larger arc."
I've struggled with understanding how to write personal stories in the past, and this essay explains the 4 necessary components for a compelling story. This is something I'll be referencing back
I’d be down to do some sort of workshop on this stuff. I’ve gotten a lot better writing this kind of stuff.
Also congrats on 100! Feels like I was trying to convince you to just ship in the part yesterday. Really enjoy your writing!
Thanks! Can't believe that was more than a year and a half ago?
Workshop sounds really interesting. I'll DM you in a couple weeks, tied up with the newsletter course right now.
Such a great reflection here, Chris. Thank you for another great cohort of your editing support and grateful to connect in peer groups!
Thanks! It was a lot of fun
Thank you for featuring my writing. I’m honored you resonated with it. When I was writing it, once the ideas were solid, I set out to follow a classic “rags to riches” story arc. It’s just like you described, a tale of transformation.
I’ve recently been reading The Seven Basic Plots. All except tragedy look at transformation from their own viewpoint. I think more essayists could appreciate what plot gets after (and what you wrote here) when they write. It’s universally appealing.
Big fan of all your writing! Really like the letters series.
I just checked out The Seven Basic Plots, looks really interesting!
Wow. The before -> catalyst -> lesson -> after framework is very helpful for organizing the ideas in an essay. Simple, effective. Thank you Chris.
Thanks Frank! It really helps to connect the dots
Thanks so much for featuring my pieces, Chris and all the feedback and encouragement you’ve given me! As your unofficial curator 😂, I’d be remiss not to mention your recent essay on Hero’s Journey if readers want to learn more about transformation essays or Chris’ own Hero’s Journey https://chr.iswong.com/essays/where-are-you-in-your-heros-journey/
Ha thanks! A big moment for me to have someone curate my writing.
This essay reminded me of One of the things I learned from another storytelling course that’s stayed with me:
1. Talk about the full arc like you said
2. Also, don’t tell a story within a story. Tell just the one. It’s hard to do but that helps you get the whole arc into 800 words
Focusing on one story was the hardest thing for me when I started writing. So many ideas leading to more ideas and trying to include all of them.
What you said about transformation pieces resonated with me. Some of the best feedback I ever get (often from Rachael) is highlighting that I am writing a transformation essay and that I need to pull that aspect out more. Usually by being more vulnerable and doing some self reflection. I really enjoyed Chaos curation piece of your work!
Thanks! The transformation essay makes sure that the reader understands why the story is meaningful, I think that's why they're so good.
Love this, Chris! I never realized just how many transformation essays occur in Write of Passage, what a great observation. I think the nature of the course and the supportive environment leads many of us to reflect on and explore our inner selves and our lives, and thankfully we have wonderful editors like you who help us make sense of them! I hope to return and give back the same way!
Thank you for mentioning my essay - I’m glad it spoke to you and I’m touched that it stuck with you! Gonna keep trying to do that little girl proud 😊
Yeah, I only realized when I realized that my feedback had the same pattern for most of the essays. Transformation essays are really powerful for the writer and the reader.
Loved this newsletter! Thank you for all your feedback and conversation this cohort. Can't wait to keep jamming with you! And I'm beyond honored that you enjoyed my essay 🙏🏽
Thanks! Keep writing!
I really like how you broke it down into the 4 stages and how a potentially good essay becomes a bad one when only talking about specific stages.
Great analysis
Thanks! From the Hero's Journey, I figured out that all stories can be retrofitted. You're the author, you can cut and paste the narrative together to hit the beats that you want.
Thanks for this great post! So many gems.
It leads me to my transformational post: https://secondvoyage.substack.com/p/my-resignation-letter-from-my-poor
I love this line:
"If the writer only includes the “Before” stage, they're complaining. If they just tell the lessons, they're pontificating. If the essay is only the “After” stage, they're bragging. They have to realize it's a larger arc."
Thanks for writing this Chris.
I've struggled with understanding how to write personal stories in the past, and this essay explains the 4 necessary components for a compelling story. This is something I'll be referencing back