The Art of Surrender: Following the Story Wherever It Takes You

 

The Art of Surrender: Following the Story Wherever It Takes You

By Olivia Salter

Fiction writing is often viewed as a controlled act of creation—outlining plots, crafting character arcs, and shaping conflicts with deliberate precision. But what if the most powerful stories emerge not from control, but from surrender? Mark David Gerson’s quote, “Follow the story wherever it takes you,” speaks to the heart of organic storytelling: the willingness to relinquish control and let the narrative evolve naturally.

The Fear of Letting Go

Many writers start with a vision—a neatly mapped-out structure that promises to guide them from beginning to end. Yet, rigid adherence to an outline can sometimes strangle a story before it breathes. Unexpected character decisions, shifting themes, and narrative surprises often arise mid-draft, challenging the writer’s initial plan. The instinct to force the story back onto its original path is strong, but doing so may stifle its potential.

Following the story means trusting your instincts. It means embracing the unexpected and allowing the characters to act as if they have lives beyond your control. If a subplot demands more space, let it grow. If a character refuses to fit into their prescribed role, listen. The best stories often come from moments when the writer steps aside and lets the story lead.

When the Story Rebels

Some of the most compelling fiction arises from moments when the story defies expectations. Perhaps you planned a straightforward romance, but a character’s unresolved trauma transforms it into a story of healing. Maybe your mystery novel starts unraveling the deeper psychological wounds of its detective, shifting its genre into literary fiction. These surprises aren’t roadblocks; they’re invitations to explore richer, more authentic narratives.

One of the best ways to practice this surrender is through freewriting. Sit down, let go of the plot, and allow the characters to speak. Even if it doesn’t make sense in the moment, follow the words. You may uncover a twist, a hidden motivation, or even an entirely new ending.

The Balance Between Structure and Intuition

This isn’t to say that structure has no place in storytelling. Outlines and planning serve as valuable guides, but they should never become cages. A skilled writer learns to balance structure with flexibility—building a framework but allowing the story to breathe within it. Think of it as jazz improvisation: a musician may have a melody in mind, but the magic happens in the spontaneous notes played in between.

If you find yourself struggling with a rigid plot, ask yourself:

• What would happen if I let this character make their own decision, instead of the one I planned?
• Am I resisting this twist because it doesn’t fit my outline, or because it doesn’t serve the story?
• What if I wrote the next chapter without looking at my notes?

The answers may lead you in directions you never imagined.

Trust the Journey

Writing is an act of discovery. The best stories don’t always come from knowing where you're going, but from being open to where the story wants to take you. Mark David Gerson’s words remind us that fiction is alive—it evolves, surprises, and grows beyond the writer’s original vision.

Embracing the Unknown

There is a certain thrill in allowing the story to unfold on its own terms. Instead of forcing resolutions too early, writers who embrace the unknown often find that their characters develop deeper complexity, their themes emerge more organically, and their plots take on a natural rhythm.

Consider authors like Stephen King, who famously writes without outlines, letting his stories evolve in unexpected ways. In On Writing, he compares writing to uncovering a fossil—excavating the story piece by piece rather than constructing it from a blueprint. This approach invites authenticity, allowing characters to react and grow in ways that feel real rather than predetermined.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that every deviation leads to a stronger story. Sometimes, the path you follow might take you into dead ends. But even those detours serve a purpose. They reveal insights about your characters, deepen your understanding of your world, and sometimes lead to ideas that wouldn’t have emerged otherwise.

Practical Ways to Follow the Story

For writers looking to cultivate this mindset, here are some practical strategies:

1. Let Characters Lead

If you’re stuck in a scene, stop dictating what should happen next. Instead, place yourself in your character’s mindset and ask: What would they do next? Not what you want them to do, but what feels true to them.

2. Write Beyond the Outline

Even if you prefer outlining, give yourself permission to deviate. If a sudden idea feels more compelling than what you originally planned, explore it. You can always revise later.

3. Freewrite Key Scenes

Instead of plotting every detail beforehand, try writing scenes as they come to you. Freewriting removes pressure and allows the subconscious to reveal elements of the story you might not have considered.

4. Listen to the Unexpected

If a side character starts demanding more space, or if a subplot feels more intriguing than the main plot, consider why. It may be the story telling you where its true heart lies.

5. Revise with Openness

First drafts are often about discovery. When revising, instead of simply shaping the story to fit your initial plan, ask what the draft is already trying to say. Sometimes, the best version of your story is hidden within what you’ve already written—it just needs to be uncovered.

The Power of Trust

Following the story wherever it takes you requires trust—trust in yourself, in your characters, and in the process. It’s about stepping into the unknown and allowing the narrative to surprise you. Some of the greatest stories in literature came from moments of surrender, where the writer allowed the story to evolve in ways they never anticipated.

So, as you write, take a deep breath and let go. Trust that the story knows where it wants to go, even if you don’t. The journey might not always be smooth, but it will always be honest—and that honesty is what makes fiction truly unforgettable.

Next time your story starts pulling you in an unexpected direction, don’t fight it. Follow it. You might just find the story you were meant to write.