FOLLOW THE PAIN
Not a great recommendation for celebrating the holidays, I know. But if you want to find great stories to tell, this is the key. I first came up with the phrase “follow the pain” during a presentation.
STORY ESSENTIALS #7: The Climax
Let’s talk about sports…. I know, this is supposed to be about storytelling, but bear with me – even if you have no interest in sports at all.
STORY ESSENTIALS #6: Conflict
When you create a story for the page, stage or screen, your primary objective must always be to create an emotional experience for your readers and audiences.
STORY ESSENTIALS #5: A Goal
Great stories are driven by desire. The hero of the story wants something, and the story is about the actions that character takes to achieve it.
STORY ESSENTIALS #1: A Hero
Your successful story must have a hero – a protagonist that your readers and audiences will be captivated by, identify with, and root for as he or she strives to achieve some compelling desire.
Q & A: Can a Hero Also Be His Own Nemesis?
After reading your “Conflict #4: The Nemesis” article and considering the “coming of age/personal development” story I’m writing, you have me wondering what you would think about…
Q & A: What If My Hero’s Desire Isn’t Original?
Is there a way to find an original motivation that is also strong enough for an adventure story? I want to avoid clichés: avenging a dead parent; seeking a treasure; winning the love of a prince.
QUALITIES OF A GREAT NEMESIS #4: Relentless
Building and accelerating the conflict your hero must face greatly increases the emotional impact of your story. So when you have a nemesis character trying to stop your hero from achieving…
Q & A: Inner Life of Characters
Do you have any advice for people who are good at ideas, plots and dialogue bits but not so good at getting into the heads of their characters?
QUALITIES OF A GREAT NEMESIS #3: Principled
Back in the Bronze Age, when I was a kid watching even more TV than I do now, one of my favorite series was The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.