What are through lines in story?

I left the work force when my oldest child was 2 years old so I could stay at home with him, and eventually, the two other children I’d have. I homeschooled, I baked bread in the kitchen with bare feet, I drove my kids all over whatever city we lived in at the time so they could be a part of every activity, class, and library circle time possible. I read with them, I wrote stories with them, and at one point, I returned to writing my own stories.

When I re-entered the workforce, I was exhilarated, ambitious, ready, and terrified. I have an entire memoir in me about the experience of transitioning from stay-at-home mom to publishing professional. Mostly, I was afraid that I simply didn’t belong in the adult world - the “real world” any longer. I didn’t really know what I had to offer, other than a lot of nervous energy and random facts about baby products.

It took a few years, but I finally stopped apologizing for my time at home, and I began explaining that I was spending years and years immersed in children’s books of all kinds: picture books, chapter books, independent readers, graphic novels, middle grade, and beyond. I was learning about storytelling and the craft of constructing a book that will sell in today’s bookstores. I was absorbing galleries worth of children’s artwork, daily. I brought my elementary education training into every aspect of my life, including finding the best stories to share with my students children.

I was changing my brain structure to become more attuned to the world of kidlit.

One through line of my adult life has been children’s literature. Now, I’d like to talk more about through lines in stories, as a part of CRAFT.

Craft - What is a Through Line? Part 1

A through line is essentially the thread or underlying pathway that gives a story its cohesion and drives it forward.

A through line is the core element that, if removed, would cause the entire story to collapse. It manifests in different ways: as the protagonist's central journey, the story's thematic heart, or the emotional transformation that drives the narrative forward. In the best stories, especially those written for young readers, this thread is invisible and it is also essential – carefully crafted to guide readers through the tale without drawing attention to itself.

Consider Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are." While the plot follows Max's fantastic voyage to a land of monsters, the through line traces his journey of emotional self-discovery. Every scene, from his initial mischief to his eventual return home, connects to this central thread of learning to manage wild feelings while remaining secure in parental love. Similarly, in "Charlotte's Web," while much happens in the barn and beyond, the through line of friendship's transformative power weaves through every chapter, from Charlotte's first promise to help Wilbur to her final, poignant sacrifice. Another example is "Bridge to Terabithia.” Though the story encompasses school life, family dynamics, and the creation of an imaginary world, everything connects to the protagonist's journey from isolation through friendship to loss and, finally, healing.

Understanding through lines isn't just a technical exercise – it's essential for both crafting and comprehending stories. For writers, it provides a compass to guide story development and ensure every scene serves the larger narrative. For readers, it offers a pathway to grasp not just what happens in a story, but why those events matter and how they connect to create meaning.

I live for book recommendations

What’s a book, comic, movie, t.v. show, or poem you encountered recently that has really stuck with you? Why? What is a through line from that story that sticks with you?

And more broadly, what are some invisible threads that weave through your daily moments? Are there personal through lines you notice emerging?

Glimmers to share

✨The Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators in Manhattan puts on The Original Art show, “an annual exhibit celebrating the fine art of children’s book illustration.”

I attended the reception party this past weekend, which was absolutely amazing, and I got to see many of the pieces on display from the talented creators at The CAT Agency.

✨I met the REAL Krampus at the Morbid Anatomy Krampus Holiday Market at Industry City.

✨I’m making my way through this incredible story collection, Christmas and Other Horrors: A winter solstice anthology edited by Ellen Datlow.

✨You can find me on Bluesky!