Shoot for the Moon: How Ambition Elevates Your Fiction Writing

 

A Quick Note on Fiction Writing for the Novice Writer

Shoot for the Moon: How Ambition Elevates Your Fiction Writing

By Ryker J. Phoenix

Fiction writing thrives on ambition. Whether you're crafting a sprawling epic, a tightly woven short story, or a character-driven drama, aiming high can propel your storytelling to extraordinary heights. The phrase "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars" is a fitting mantra for writers who dare to dream big, push boundaries, and embrace the unknown. Here's how to channel this mindset into your writing process.

1. Aim for Bold Ideas

Great stories often begin with bold concepts. Don’t be afraid to ask, What if? What if a small-town mechanic discovers they’re the heir to a lost kingdom? What if a seemingly ordinary family heirloom holds the key to parallel worlds? Even if your initial idea feels overwhelming, it can evolve into a star-worthy tale as you refine it.

2. Embrace Imperfection in Execution

Shooting for the moon doesn’t mean perfection; it means effort. Writing ambitious stories often leads to challenges—plot holes, pacing issues, or dialogue that doesn’t quite resonate. That’s okay. Even if you don’t hit the exact mark you envisioned, the process of aiming high will elevate your skills and storytelling.

3. Create Characters with Depth

Ambitious fiction is grounded in characters that feel real. Dive deep into their motivations, flaws, and relationships. Let them strive for their own moons—dreams, goals, or redemption—and explore what happens when they succeed, fail, or discover an unexpected truth.

4. Push the Boundaries of Genre

Experiment with blending genres or defying their conventions. Horror with heartfelt family dynamics, romance with sci-fi elements, or historical fiction with speculative twists can create fresh, compelling narratives. Readers appreciate stories that take them to uncharted territory.

5. Be Fearless in Themes and Messages

Don’t shy away from themes that challenge you or your audience. Explore moral ambiguity, societal issues, or deeply personal topics. Ambitious themes can resonate powerfully, even if the execution isn’t flawless.

6. Learn from Missed Targets

Not every ambitious project will succeed as you hoped. Perhaps a subplot didn’t land or a character arc felt incomplete. Analyze what went wrong and use those lessons to improve your next work. Every star you land among is a stepping stone to another moonshot.

7. Celebrate the Journey

Fiction writing is as much about the process as it is about the final product. By aiming high, you challenge yourself to grow as a writer. Each draft, edit, and rewrite helps you uncover your voice and expand your capabilities.

Closing Thoughts

Shooting for the moon in your fiction writing means embracing creativity, courage, and ambition. Even if your work doesn’t perfectly match your vision, the attempt itself will produce stories rich in originality and heart. So dream big, write boldly, and remember: the stars are always within reach.