How to Keep Your Story From Derailing

Stories don’t derail because writers lack talent. They are pushed off the tracks because stories are wild, complicated things. One chapter flows, the next wobbles, and suddenly you’re staring at a draft that feels bloated, unfocused, or strangely out of tune with what you meant to write in the first place.

If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. It happens to every writer.

Luckily, the fix is simple: Create a mission statement for your book.

Not a marketing hook. Just a clear articulation of what your story is truly about.

Once you write it, every decision you make becomes easier.

Your Story Is a Roller Coaster and Your Mission Statement Keeps It on the Rails

Think of your story as a roller coaster.

•The plot with the rises, falls and loops is the track.

•The characters that carry the reader through every turn are the cars.

•The worldbuilding is the support structure that holds everything up.

•The pacing is the chain lift and braking system that controls tension.

•The theme is the thrill which is the reason the ride exists at all.

All those elements matter. They’re what make the ride fun, immersive, and worth taking. But even the most beautifully engineered roller coaster can go off course if one thing is wrong: If the rails aren’t aligned, the whole ride derails.

That alignment is what keeps every part of the story pointed in the right direction. The alignment is your mission statement.

What to Include in Your Story’s Mission Statement

A mission statement is a one or two sentence explanation of:

•the emotional or psychological truth your story is exploring,

•the lens or character journey you’re using to explore it, and

•the emotional experience you want the reader to have.

Example: This story is about how loneliness distorts your sense of self, shown through a woman who becomes convinced she is fading from the world, and it should leave readers with a feeling of eerie tenderness.

Short. Clear. Purposeful.

That’s all you need. And once you have it, everything changes.

Your Mission Statement is a Filter for Every Writing Decision

Should this character have a bigger role? Should I add a subplot? Do I write the scene quieter or more dramatic? Is this digression brilliant or unnecessary? When you have a mission statement, you no longer guess. You filter every choice through one question.

Does this support what the story is about at its core?

If yes—it stays.

If no—it’s gone.

The mission statement becomes the simplest creative tool you’ve ever used. This is how writers avoid plot bloat, characters wandering off on tangents, tonal inconsistency, endless revision loops, and losing the thread of the story halfway through

Your mission statement is the lens. Everything is either in focus or you remove it.

How to Create Your Story’s Mission Statement

Use this simple formula:

This story is about → the core emotional or psychological truth

as shown through → the character, situation, or relationship

so the reader feels → the emotional outcome you’re aiming for.

That’s it. Write it. Put it somewhere visible. Let it guide every twist, turn, and loop of the ride you’re building.

The Mission Statement Doesn’t Limit You. It Protects You.

Some writers worry that creating a mission statement will box them in.

It doesn’t.

It protects your creativity from wandering so far off track that you lose the heart of your story. It keeps your book tethered to the purpose that made you want to write it in the first place.

A story can be wild. It can be daring, strange, sweeping, intimate, and unpredictable. But its purpose cannot be confused. Your mission statement is what keeps your roller coaster from derailing and makes every turn feel intentional.

4 Reasons You Shouldn’t Hire Me as Your Editor

1. You need services I don’t provide.

I focus on developmental editing and line-level feedback. If you’re looking for someone to fix your puntuation, ghostwrite, completely restructure, or rewrite your book from scratch, I’m not the editor for you.

2. You want me to do all the work for you.

I help writers sharpen their own skills and clarify their vision. If you’re not interested in learning, revising, or engaging with feedback, hiring me will likely be frustrating for both of us.

3. You don’t care about becoming a better writer.

My approach isn’t just about fixing a draft. it’s about helping you understand why changes matter so you can approach your writing with intention and confidence. If improving as a writer isn’t part of the goal, my style won’t be a good fit.

4. Your book is all about events, not characters or ideas.

I care about the people, the nuance, and the emotional core of a story. If your work prioritizes plot over character, or facts over depth, my approach may not align with your project.

Still reading? Then we might just be a good match. If you’re ready for an editor who cares as much about your characters as you do, reach out to me by email for a free quote.

raganfrywrites@gmail.com