The Unexpected Moment
It was a late spring day, and the snow was wet and heavy. The kind of storm that makes you want to curl up by the fire with a cup of coffee, listening to the world go quiet under a white blanket—a perfect day to stay home.
Then the phone rang.
“Hey, I need you to do something for me.”
I rolled my eyes and pulled my warm cup closer.
“I need you to go to a workshop I’m putting on today. The weather is awful, and I’m worried no one will show up. It’s free—and lunch is included.”
“What kind of workshop?” I asked, still reluctant.
“A screenwriting workshop. I flew in an author from California. I just need bodies in the room.”
“Really? I’m writing a memoir, not a screenplay.”
But my colleague has her way of convincing me. Against my better judgment, I pulled on my coat, brushed the thick, wet snow off my windshield, and made my way across town.
What I didn’t know was that this simple act of showing up would alter the course of my life.
That day I met Viki King. And what neither my colleague nor I understood at the time was just how much I needed to be in that room.
The workshop was transformative. Viki helped me recognize the power of story—not just as entertainment but as a way of shaping reality, opening doors, and drawing people into your world. She reminded me that a well-told story can change minds, move mountains, and unlock resources. For me, it became the key to creating opportunities for my daughter, Mikelle.
Viki’s wisdom echoes in her books. Many know her for How to Write a Movie in 21 Days, a guide that has launched countless writers into the world of storytelling. Now, in her new book, How to Be the Hero of Your Own Life, she takes readers deeper into the heart of what it means to live with purpose. With chapter titles like “The Mercurial Nature of the Human Mind at Six and Three Quarters”, she reminds us that the stories of our lives begin long before we are adults and continue to unfold through every phase and stage—even toward the end of life.
And here is the truth: telling a good story about your child, your family, or your organization can make the difference in whether or not you get the resources you need—especially in these times of rapid federal and state policy changes. Systems can feel rigid, budgets uncertain, but a powerful story can pierce through the noise and be heard.
Case Study: The Power of Shared Stories
Recently, three other moms and I began telling the story of aging caregivers and our aging family members—people who have lived the dream of self-determination, building lives of meaning outside institutions. We didn’t simply present facts or data; we told our stories, with heart and with honesty.
The result? Funders listened. Our storytelling helped us secure a significant grant to conduct research and develop potential solutions for families like ours. What might have sounded like another abstract “issue” suddenly became vivid, urgent, and human.
This is the lesson: stories move people. They can move resources, too.
That’s why Viki’s lessons are so vital. She shows us that even small, ordinary moments carry weight. A story well told can reshape how others see us—and how they choose to act.
Together, Viki and I share a conviction: your story matters.
Ask yourself:
- Is my story powerful enough to get what I want?
- Am I repeating the same story and expecting different results?
- Do I know what my true story is? And where do I even begin?
In this Conversation with Viki King series, we explore these questions. You’ll learn how to shape your narrative so others listen—not out of obligation, but because they feel compelled to act. Parents, families, and individuals with disabilities often face closed doors. Storytelling is the key that can open them. When told with truth and clarity, your story can bring the right allies to your side and spark opportunities in your community.
So, start here with us. Watch the first video in the series. Then, dive into Viki’s new book, How to Be the Hero of Your Own Life, and a book that is helpful for writing and publishing that I co-authored, The Tango of Authoring and Publishing. Together they are invitations—not just to write, but to live your story in a way that changes everything.