Sterling Terrell

smart ideas from books (mostly)

  • Home
  • About
    • My CV
    • Books
    • Series
  • Newsletter
  • Advertising
  • Tools
You are here: Home / Potpourri / A Story Falls Flat When

A Story Falls Flat When

A Story Falls Flat When

A story falls flat when the archetypal story format is ignored.

I have talked about it before.

  1. A main character wants something
  2. They encounter an obstacle
  3. Then the main character meets a guide
  4. The guide helps them form a plan
  5. The main character is called to action
  6. The action ends in either a success or a failure

The more clarity around these points the better.

Clarity is, after all, a form of persuasion.

Understand: Trump understands the power of this narrative device.

See, songs are exactly the same way.

The melodic math (which has nothing to do with the lyrics) can make or break a song.

Someone who is skilled at telling jokes or stories understands that they are not random utterances. They follow a definite pattern, like a folksong or a sentence that you can diagram. If you follow the pattern, most of the time you get good results. If you ignore the pattern, the joke or story falls flat. The pattern requires movement and resolution.

-John Erickson, Story Craft (Amazon)

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: PotpourriTagged With: #Story, #Writing

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Notifications of all new posts by email.

Connect

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Top Posts

  • The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
    The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
  • Is Shampoo A Scam?
    Is Shampoo A Scam?
  • God Gives Job Double Everything, Except This?
    God Gives Job Double Everything, Except This?
  • Why Illegal Drugs Are A Monopsony
    Why Illegal Drugs Are A Monopsony
  • Instabooks 169
    Instabooks 169
  • Can You Solve The Bat And Ball Riddle?
    Can You Solve The Bat And Ball Riddle?
  • Competition Cheer
    Competition Cheer
  • How Great Thou Art Lyrics
    How Great Thou Art Lyrics
  • Wonder Park Pi Song (Watch It Stick In Your Head)
    Wonder Park Pi Song (Watch It Stick In Your Head)
  • The Tragedy Of Gina "Bronco" Bouza (1932-1957)
    The Tragedy Of Gina "Bronco" Bouza (1932-1957)

Supporting = Loving

Buy Me a Coffee

Copyright © 2023 · Generate Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in