Storytelling Tips
Answer these tough questions
If you can answer these tough questions than you have the backbone of a story in which to tell.
- What is the ending of your story? In other words, what is the event/moment we’ve all been waiting for?
- What is the inciting incident of your story (Houston we have a problem) - the moment the main character recognizes that there is a problem?
- What is the Lock-in of your story - the moment the main character commits himself, herself to the problem?
- IMPORTANT: What does the main character want?
- ALSO IMPORTANT: What does the main character stand to lose if he or she doesn’t achieve his or her goal? In other words, what’s at stake?
- JUST AS IMPORTANT: If your story involves an antagonist, what does he or she want? and how does this come into conflict with what the protagonist wants?
The 7 Basic Plots
It's been said that all stories are derived from 7 basic plot structures. Use them as a starting point to write your own.
Overcoming the monster - The hero must overcome an adversary in order to restore balance to the world they live in. (Overcoming an actual monster or creature, overcoming debt, overcoming an illness, overcoming a competitor) The hero must defeat something in order to win. (Beauty and the beast, Jaws, Alien)
Rags to Riches - A character who lives living poorly, attains wealth usually by working hard or working smart and attains happiness as a result of their efforts. (Cinderella, Trading Places)
The Quest - Looking for something very important that will change the lives of the quest seeker or other people in their lives. Along the way they must work against all odds and overcome obstacles along the way. (Raiders of the lost arc, Lord of the Rings, Wizard of Oz)
Voyage and Return - The protagonist is removed from their home and must find their way back. (Alice in Wonderland, Cast Away)
Comedy - In addition to getting laughs, the plot arises from a confusion that is overcome by clarification.
Tragedy - This story comes from when a character suffers the consequences of his or her egoism and overreaches their capability. (MacBeth)
Rebirth - a story in which a character has to change or changes for the better. (A Christmas Carol)
Overcoming the monster - The hero must overcome an adversary in order to restore balance to the world they live in. (Overcoming an actual monster or creature, overcoming debt, overcoming an illness, overcoming a competitor) The hero must defeat something in order to win. (Beauty and the beast, Jaws, Alien)
Rags to Riches - A character who lives living poorly, attains wealth usually by working hard or working smart and attains happiness as a result of their efforts. (Cinderella, Trading Places)
The Quest - Looking for something very important that will change the lives of the quest seeker or other people in their lives. Along the way they must work against all odds and overcome obstacles along the way. (Raiders of the lost arc, Lord of the Rings, Wizard of Oz)
Voyage and Return - The protagonist is removed from their home and must find their way back. (Alice in Wonderland, Cast Away)
Comedy - In addition to getting laughs, the plot arises from a confusion that is overcome by clarification.
Tragedy - This story comes from when a character suffers the consequences of his or her egoism and overreaches their capability. (MacBeth)
Rebirth - a story in which a character has to change or changes for the better. (A Christmas Carol)