Things You Should Know About Storytelling

Jul 24

Stories Hold Power

Stories connect us to our past. We are hard-wired to respond to a well-told story.

Narratives have the power to stir us emotionally and provide insight into our world. They allow us to comprehend our own identities and those of our loved ones. The influence of a story should never be underestimated. A well-crafted tale can be just as emotionally or spiritually transformative as therapy, medication, prayer, or a fitness regimen.

They are Certainly More than Entertainment

Being entertained is a universal pleasure, but a truly exceptional story knows it can do more than just entertain. The most powerful stories can evoke deep emotions within us.

They have the power to make us care deeply about characters and places that only exist in our imaginations. A skilled storyteller can stir up feelings of sadness, joy, anger, envy, desire, fear, and countless other emotions in their audience. While anyone can provide entertainment, it takes a true storyteller to truly move us with their words. The goal of a story may not be amusement.

It Is a Good Story Regardless of Genre or Form

Categorization. Ticking off little boxes. Placing stories into their designated slots and narrative compartments. Is it a science fiction television show? A fantasy novel? Is it a superhero comic? A video game about hunting ducks?

An alternate reality game about the illicit trade of unicorns? We like to think that these boundaries we create hold significance. But they are flimsy and dissolve into nothingness as soon as we taste them.

A well-crafted story is just that - regardless of its genre or form. Those who confine themselves to specific genres and formats - whether as storytellers or audience members - limit the potential truth and excitement a story can offer. Open your mind to possibilities and you will discover great tales in unexpected places.

A story is more than a single entity.

To me, writing a story is like creating a map full of endless possibilities and unexplored paths. The plot is the specific route I have chosen on this map - it's the series of events and twists that lead me to different destinations. But a true story goes beyond just the plot; it encompasses the world, characters, atmosphere, period, and context in which everything takes place. It's easy to confuse plot with story, but they are not the same.

In storytelling, there are no truly original plots left to discover. However, the potential for crafting unique stories is limitless. It's like building with LEGO blocks - everyone has access to the same pieces, but it's how you put them together that makes your creation stand out. While plot may be an important element, it is ultimately the story itself that is shaped by the individual touch and imagination of the storyteller.

The Link Between Author and Reader

People who read stories desire to be fully transported into the world that is being created. They seek glimpses of their own experiences and identities within the story, whether it's through a relatable character or an alternate version of themselves. As a writer, you are forming a connection with your readers by sharing pieces of yourself and they may see elements of themselves reflected in your words without even realizing it.

Never Underestimate Your Reader

The tricky thing is readers sometimes do not know what they want. They may think they do, but their desires can clash with the needs of the story.

And here's the catch: what the story needs is often exactly what the reader wants in the end. It's almost like the reader is battling against itself, and the storyteller is caught in the middle.

This struggle gives rise to great fiction. The reader may hope for a happy, safe life for the protagonist, with all conflicts neatly resolved. But such a tidy resolution would make for a dull story. Good stories thrive on protagonists who face suffering and obstacles that seem insurmountable.

Through these challenges, true growth and transformation occur–not through an easy ending. The audience may crave a sense of security, but it's the storyteller's duty to take it away and expose them to the harsh realities of life. Conflict is essential for any story; it's like a spicy broth that adds depth and flavor to the narrative.

Without it, a story becomes bland and lacks substance. Some say that storytellers have the power to evoke conflict within their audience by stirring up powerful emotions or leaving them on edge. They might even provoke anger. That's why a skilled storyteller must be able to generate conflict effectively—perhaps even embracing their inner "jerk" in order to craft a truly captivating tale.

There is a constant battle between tension and release

Tension is the driving force behind any good conflict, keeping readers on the edge of their seats and stirring up emotional responses. It's a balancing act between anticipating danger and teetering over the edge. With each turn of the story, the tension builds to higher levels, leading characters into even more perilous situations.

Just when you think things can't get any worse, they do - like a stampede of horses engulfed in bees and flames. But there are also moments of respite within the chaos, giving readers a chance to catch their breath before being thrown back into the fray. Birth is often compared to this narrative arc, with its predictable contractions leading up to an intense climax.

However, birth is filled with even more blood, agony, and overwhelming emotions - elements that are crucial for holding a reader's attention in any interesting story. Tension may be a crucial element, but it is not the only one that makes a story great. Every aspect of a narrative has its own highs and lows, creating a natural ebb and flow in the pacing. A truly captivating story is never a straight line from beginning to end; it is an unpredictable journey that leaves its mark on the reader's mind. In fact, perhaps a story's unique narrative rhythm is like its individual fingerprint - unlike any other tale out there.

Stick to the story.

Always remember to stay focused on your main point. This doesn't mean you can never deviate from it; sometimes those detours can add depth and intrigue to the overall narrative. However, every tangent should ultimately serve the purpose of advancing the story. Think of storytelling as weaving multiple threads together to create a cohesive pattern or design. Each thread has its own role, but they all come together in the end. It's okay to go off on tangents, but straying too far from the main point can be detrimental. Every element must contribute to the final product: a masterfully crafted tale that captures attention and resonates with readers. Small spaces may seem limiting, but they are perfect for exploring big ideas.

The audience likely isn’t interested in your “Big Idea”

It's most effective to begin with the intricacies before moving onto a broader scope. Small anecdotes have the power to convey grand concepts: a lone character's experiences throughout a narrative are often more relatable than an overarching view from high above. We should approach our writing systematically, akin to doing the dishes one at a time.

The beginning of a story is overrated

The audience doesn't need to know every detail from the beginning of time to understand the plot. Instead, focus on what is important and interesting. Start the story at its most captivating point, like a fashionably late party guest who steals the spotlight upon arrival. However, it is still worth mentioning how everything began; after all, it is part of the story.

If you dive too quickly into a complex narrative, the story becomes convoluted. The audience needs to be emotionally invested in the high-action scenes to have an impact. Without context for the characters, we can't empathize with their struggles, and we lose interest within the first few minutes or pages. It's important to establish a strong connection with the character early on to capture the audience's attention. Otherwise, why would they bother continuing on this journey?

Make a setting matter, bring it to life

It should have its own distinct personality and behavior, just like any character would. So, treat it as such and watch it come alive. Give it a face and a unique identity. When a setting becomes a fully fleshed-out character, the audience will be invested in its well-being.

Behind every villain, there is a mother.

Even the most notorious villains were once innocent children loved by their mothers. It may be hard to fathom, but every mean-spirited character had someone who cared for them. They were not born as heartless sociopaths; they are just people like you and me. No one sees themselves as a villain; everyone believes they are the hero of their own story. This includes the villains, too.

Both heroes and villains believe they are doing what is right. Heroes are not infallible, and villains are not completely devoid of any good qualities. It is the complexity of their character that makes them believable, not a flaw. A story should not solely focus on unwavering heroism or pure malevolence. Instead, it becomes more intriguing when a character's shades of gray are explored before any redemption can occur.

To truly understand a story, one must peel back its layers and examine its mechanics. A well-crafted tale can be condensed into a single powerful scene. To hone your storytelling skills, practice telling both short and long stories. Experiment with telling a story in the fewest possible steps and observe how each element interacts. Some aspects may no longer serve a purpose and can be discarded.

Always question your motive:

"Why do I want to share this story?" Every storyteller has a purpose, whether it's to entertain around a campfire, impress friends with their daring adventures, or woo someone special. Sometimes the goal is to evoke fear or elicit tears, while other times it's to inspire joy and convey a message. Whatever your reason may be, make sure you know what it is and understand the core of the story for yourself first. This will help you connect with your audience and guide them towards understanding the deeper meaning behind your tale. Find that invisible thread that ties you to the story; it holds great significance.

It's perfectly acceptable to bury the main point of a story beneath the surface. Every story has a theme, whether it is about the cruelty of humans towards one another, the cyclical nature of history, or how karate ghosts are formidable and should not be challenged. However, these themes don't need to be spelled out blatantly to the audience. The true essence of the story can be found in the spaces between words and actions. That's why subtext was invented; to convey deeper meaning without being overly obvious.

Crafting words into a story may seem like magic, but it is a mathematical equation. The arrangement of letters and sentences is like an ice scraper, revealing the true tale hidden beneath pretense. This is where the art of storytelling comes in - linking past and present through carefully crafted words. Writing itself is a craft, using mechanics to form the equation, but storytelling is the magic that brings the story to life.

Master the Craft of Writing Fiction in Just Minutes a Week

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