Story to Story Questions
Here are 10 Nexus questions for connecting new stories to our own life stories. I originally wrote them for narrative books, but they could also be reimagined for all kinds of artistic forms, including films, music, poetry, paintings and nature encounters. Every story is a particular and unique beholding of reality.
- What words, phrases, sounds, images, ideas or feelings from this story struck you – anything interesting, confusing, disturbing, surprising or inspiring?
- If you were a character in this story who would you be? How can you imagine your reactions to this situation?
- Is there anything in this story that connects with an experience you have lived recently or in the past?
- How does this story make you feel? What hopes or anxieties does it stir in you? Describe your emotions as concretely as you can.
- Is there anything in this story that you wish was true for you?
- Is there any perspective in this story that speaks to a critical issue we face collectively in this moment?
- What false or inadequate picture of the world does this story dispel? What false or inadequate picture of yourself does this story dispel?
- What does this story ask you to let go of? What does this story ask you to hold on to?
- Would you enthusiastically share this story with your family and friends? Why or why not?
- What concise two to five-word-message would summarize what this story says to your story?
• Remember words, phrases, sounds, images, ideas or feelings you would like to reflect on further.
• Record and revisit the key messages this story has for your life.
• Integrate the new thoughts you find into your conversations with yourself and others.
• Couldn’t it be great to be a part of a group of friends that gets together from time to time to explore story-to-story connections? Consider getting some of your friends who might be interested in journeying together. It just takes a convener. It could be you!
We would love to hear about how these work for you and your friends in the comment section!
JKG, December 2023
Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash
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Great set of questions, Kyle. Thanks! With the help of these we can tackle any story, connect stronger with it and deepen the reading or viewing experience!
This is a fantastic set of questions to ponder after finishing a story, before putting the book back on the shelf or turning on the next film. Having just wrapped up an intense read, I have been giving thought to how the story speaks into my life and your questions will help with this process. As entertaining as it was, there is food for reflection just below the surface, and I want to digest it. Thanks!
Excellent, thought-provoking, personalised questions! Brings to mind words from David Whyte….”questions that can make or unmake a life, questions that have patiently waited for you, questions that have no right to go away”.