Some Stories Keep Going, And Going, And Going

Some stories continue to amaze. Even years after they're written, they'll continue to grow your following and your number of readers. Whether you're a niche writer, or you've got a diversified list of subjects you enjoy writing about, the right stories will be read for years.

That is, after all, the key to success as a writer. Well, at least one of the keys. If you can tell a story or cover an event that holds the interest of readers long after you've moved on to a different story, you have found gold.

There are several types of these "golden" stories. They are the ones that tend to remain the most relevant and captivate audiences for many years to come. When you tap into universal themes and emotions that resonate with people across different cultures and time periods, you have tapped into something special. What are those types?

The Golden Stories

The Hero's Journey: This classic narrative structure following the transformational journey from a normal life to that of a hero has been around since man began to write. The themes of this type of story include self-discovery, overcoming obstacles, and personal growth. They've been popular throughout history because they will always resonate with audiences.

Love and Relationships: Stories centered around love and relationships have enduring appeal. Whether it's a romantic love story, a story of friendship, or a family drama, these narratives explore the complexities of human connections, emotions, and the pursuit of happiness. Love stories often transcend time and cultural boundaries.

Coming-of-Age: Coming-of-age stories follow a young protagonist's journey of self-discovery and transition into adulthood. These narratives explore themes of identity, personal growth, and the challenges of navigating the world. They often strike a chord with audiences as they reflect universal experiences of growing up.

Social and Political Commentaries: Stories that shed light on social and political issues have a tendency to remain relevant for years. These narratives tackle topics such as inequality, discrimination, power dynamics, and societal norms. By addressing pressing issues of their time, these stories can provoke thought, promote discussion, and inspire change.

Dystopian and Speculative Fiction: Dystopian and speculative fiction often serve as cautionary tales or explorations of potential futures. By presenting exaggerated or alternate versions of our reality, these stories raise questions about the human condition, technology, ethics, and the consequences of our actions. Their relevance stems from their ability to reflect and comment on contemporary concerns.

Historical Fiction: Stories set in the past, particularly those that shed light on significant events or characters, tend to have enduring appeal. Historical fiction provides insights into different time periods, cultures, and societal norms, helping us understand our collective history. These stories often offer lessons, resonate with modern issues, and connect us to our roots.

Moral Dilemmas: Stories that present moral dilemmas and ethical challenges force audiences to question their values and beliefs. These narratives explore the complexities of human nature and decision-making. By grappling with universal moral questions, such as the nature of good and evil or the consequences of our choices, these stories continue to resonate.

What other stories have you seen that continue to strike up interest in readers' minds and don't stop being read? Hopefully, as a writer, you've found yourself writing at least one of those types of stories. If you have one with your name on it then you've experienced the growth of a story, seen it die down for a while, but surge back to life again.

The Big Bamboozle:

The Big Bamboozle: Where Phillip Marshall and his Kids Murdered Because of Something He Wrote or was about to Reveal? Or was it a murder-suicide? I wrote this more than two years ago. Earlier this year it crossed the 5,000 reads mark. Right now, it's nearly at 7,000 reads.

We live in a world full of mysteries, and perhaps no mystery lasts longer than ones rooted more in truth than fiction. Phillip Marshall allegedly had ties to Barry Seal, Tom Cruises' character in American Made. Like Barry Seal, Phillip Marshall comes to his untimely demise and it left many to question the odd facts of the case.

Conspiracy theories abounded from this case, and with arguably good reasons. That's the joy of a mystery. Why things don't make sense and there are circumstances that don't seem to fit the narrative of what we're told, our imaginations are left to answer questions.

True crime and mystery, murder and corruption. Those are golden ticket stories that some of the great writers of our time have tackled. As my story about the tragic events of Phillip Marshall, his kids, and even his dog, continues to garner interest from people with each passing year, maybe someday the people still looking into the case will find the answers.