Story.
We all start writing for a reason. Be it something that
happened, you witness or survived, or inspiration from viewing a life event.
All writing starts with just a simple story. From there it can morph into a
novel, screenplay, teleplay or even poetry. The bare bones of writing a story
are the same no matter what the end result will be. Each story has four elements:
1.
Message
2.
Plot
3.
Conflict
4.
Characters
These elements can be mixed, matched and applied in a
variety of ways depending on the context in which the story is told and its
purpose.
The Message
-
With storytelling it is important to tell a
story to communicate a message that is reflective. It is imperative to develop
a clear defined message. Without a message there really isn’t any reason to tell
your story.
-
The premise or message of the story is an
ideological or moral statement that works as a central theme throughout the
story.
-
Try to stick to one message per story. Stories
with more than one message become confusing for audiences sometimes.
Example: Wizard of Oz. The message- There is no place like
home. Through all her adventures, each is a replicate of issues she is having
at home. Her desire to flee these issues follows her. In the end, all she wants
is to go home.
The Plot
-
The flow of the story and its events are vital
to the reader’s experience.
-
Given the fact that we can only tell one thing
at a time, and that a story exists only as a progression of events within a
given time span, the sequence of events needs careful consideration.
-
A traditional story is structured in three
parts: The introduction, The inciting event, and The resolution.
-
The first is by setting the scene. Next, the
progression of change creates conflict and sets the parameters for the rest of
the story. The conflict escalates but is finally resolved, marking the end of
the story.
-
It is the escalation of the conflict and
development of the hero that drives the story forward and builds up to the
climax.
Example: Back to Dorothy. It is
all about that broomstick. She is frightened by it, she is driven to flee from
it, she is told the only way to help her and her friends is to get it, then she
kills to possess it. The broomstick drives the plot of the entire story.
The Conflict
-
Conflict can make any story exciting and draw in
the attention of your audience
-
A transition must take place from conflict to
resolution. Without a transition the story grinds to a halt.
-
A good story always centers on the struggle to
attain defend or regain harmony.
-
In storytelling conflict is not negative. It is
a fundamental premise on which the narrator can communicate his perceptions of
right and wrong.
-
An open ending is a powerful and provocative
tool
Example: The conflict in Oz is on
many levels. The witch wants her sisters shoes, The Wizard wants to go home, Dorothy
wants to go home and her friends want their wishes granted. But the story
remains open ended with the dream sequences ending and she is back in black and
white. Did she dream it or does OZ really exists? This was such a powerful
opened end, that it spurred a new flurry of books, movies and plays (Wicked,
etc.)
The Characters
-
Stories are built on a fixed structure where
each character has a specific role to play in the story, and each person
supplements each other.
-
A typical story starts off with a main character
or hero pursuing a goal.
-
The hero has skills that help and support him
along her quest.
-
The adversaries (villains) work against the hero
and establish conflict.
-
A successful conflict needs a hero and a villain
with opposing agendas.
-
The adversary can take on pretexts, both
physical and psychological.
Example: “I will get you my pretty
and your little dog too”.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please comment if you find this inviiting your fingers to tap the keyboard (or screen if you are an IPhone homo like me).