Chapter 7: Thinking outside and inside the box...

There were so many helpful insights and strategies in this chapter! It is a great skill to be able to help people find stories by asking the right questions. I also commend Ohler's method of writing all possible aspects of a story down, but placing the things that will be included in the story inside the box while writing the things that might color the story (but should not be included in it) outside of the box.

I also agree that sometimes the most personal stories can be universal. I remember saying one time that "To Kill A Mockingbird" is the great American novel and the guy I was talking to countered that it was "just about racism." I couldn't believe that he and I had even read the same book. It is about racial inequity, but it's also a story about morality, empathy, courage, dedication, strength and kindness. All of these things wend through a personal story -- a story of a little girl and her family -- but the story is absolutely universal. 

And, as Ohler says, just because it didn't happen doesn't make it not true.