From Edie: Discover the writing and storytelling lessons hidden within The Polar Express. Learn how this beloved Christmas classic can inspire your creativity, strengthen your craft, and remind every writer of the power of belief, detail, and meaningful narrative journeys.
Writing Lessons from The Polar Express: What This Classic Story Teaches Every Writer
By Edie Melson @EdieMelson
I came late to the magic of The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. I didn’t discover it until I had grandchildren. But now, every December, I cherish the time I get to spend with them as we share the enchanting story—sometimes through the classic book and sometimes through the film. Each time, I discover something new. And this year, as I watched the train steam through snow and doubt, I realized how much this story has to teach each of us about writing.
6 Writing Lessons I’ve Learned from The Polar Express
1. Believe Before You See
In The Polar Express, belief always comes before sight. The boy doesn’t board the train because he’s certain—it’s because he wants to believe.
Writers live in this tension every day.
We draft whole worlds before we know if they’ll resonate.
We submit proposals before we know if someone will say yes.
We start books without knowing if we’ll finish them.
Faith—creative faith—is part of the writing life.
Lesson for writers:
Start before you're ready. Write the thing your heart keeps nudging you toward, even if you can’t yet hear the “bell.” The clarity comes in the doing.
2. The Journey Matters More Than the Destination
The purpose of the train isn’t only to reach the North Pole—it’s to transform every passenger along the way. Each child faces a challenge uniquely designed to stretch them.
Writing is much the same.
We think the finished book is the victory, but the real growth happens in the middle—in the messy drafts, late-night doubts, unexpected plot twists, and breakthroughs we didn’t see coming.
Lesson for writers:
Honor the journey. Don’t rush past the places where you’re growing as a storyteller or thinker. Write the scenes that scare you. Rewrite the ones that frustrate you. This is the work that shapes you.
3. Every Writer Needs a Conductor
The Conductor in The Polar Express doesn’t just punch tickets—he gives direction, guidance, and occasional course correction. The children need his leadership to reach their destination safely.
Writers, too, need conductors:
- critique partners
- editors
- mentors
- writing communities
- accountability partners
We were never meant to journey alone.
Lesson for writers:
Find your writing community and let them speak into your process. They’ll help you stay on the tracks you sometimes can’t see.
4. Obstacles Are Part of the Adventure
From frozen lakes to runaway train cars, The Polar Express doesn’t shy away from danger. But every challenge reveals something essential about the characters.
Writers face obstacles too:
- self-doubt
- rejection letters
- stalled drafts
- life seasons that interrupt progress
- unexpected detours in publishing
Instead of seeing obstacles as signs to stop, what if we treated them as opportunities to grow?
Lesson for writers:
The things that slow you down may also strengthen your skill, deepen your story, and sharpen your purpose. Don’t despise the detours.
5. The Smallest Details Become the Most Meaningful
In the story, a simple silver bell becomes the symbol of belief, joy, and childlike wonder. The entire narrative hinges on something small—something easily overlooked.
Likewise, the small details in our writing—the sensory notes, the quiet moments, the subtle emotional shifts—often carry the deepest resonance.
Lesson for writers:
Don’t underestimate the power of small details. They anchor the heart of your story and transform a good piece into a memorable one.
6. The Story You Write May Mean More Than You Know
In the end, not everyone can hear the bell. Only those who believe.
Your writing won’t be for everyone either—and that’s okay.
What matters is that your story reaches the readers who can hear it, the ones who need your message, your imagination, your voice.
And sometimes, those readers won’t be thousands. Sometimes they’ll be one.
Lesson for writers:
Write faithfully, even when your audience seems small. Your words may be the “bell” someone has been waiting to hear.
The Magic of Writing—And Believing
The Polar Express reminds us that wonder still exists, even when we grow older, busier, or more cynical.
The same is true for writing.
- Every blank page holds possibility.
- Every idea is a doorway.
- Every story is an invitation.
Believe in the work you’re called to create. Believe in the One who gifted you the ability to write. And above all, believe that your words matter.
Because they do.
What Christmas classic whispers to you about your writing? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLE
She and husband Kirk have been married 43+ years with three grown sons and four grandchildren. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found with their big black dog hiking the mountains.
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