This is Story Fanatic, a collection of articles covering story structure and analysis for
creative writers. Published weekly.
The ease with which visual conflict plays out on-screen leads filmmakers towards visiting familiar territory. Conflict exists, however, in both the external and internal domains. Rarely traversed, this realm of within offers those in the cinematic arts an opportunity to try something new.
Great stories engage audiences on an emotional level unheard of in lesser mediums of communication. By creating an intimate portrayal of one character struggling to resolve a problem, writers of these great stories insure audience engagement and empathy. The key lies in effectively defining this struggle and focusing it one specific area of conflict.
Understanding how conflict plays out within a complete story allows a writer the opportunity to dive into relatively untouched areas of storytelling. Instead of focusing on the well-worn paths of how a character looks or what they think, the adventurous author takes their Main Character into the realm of deficient psychology. In other words, they write personal journeys of struggle against how a character thinks and comes about conclusions.
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Fans of great storytelling rejoice, HBO has done it again. Mildred Pierce, the depression-era star vehicle for Kate Winslet, continues the long line of thoughtful meaningful drama the cable studio is known for. Those who make a living projecting cinema on the big screen take note: this miniseries illustrates precisely why your numbers are dwindling.
Understanding how conflict plays out within a complete story allows a writer the opportunity to dive into relatively untouched areas of storytelling. Instead of focusing on the well-worn paths of how a character looks or what they think, the adventurous author takes their Main Character into the realm of deficient psychology. In other words, they write personal journeys of struggle against how a character thinks and comes about conclusions.
Is there anything more challenging then crafting an emotionally resonant film that centers around the believable growth of a fully-realized Main Character? That believability, that authenticity in character development, can be found within the concept of a clearly defined problem and solution within the psyche of this all important character.
When does a story begin? If one assumes the given that complete stories are more than simply the exploration of one character’s journey, then it becomes necessary to identify the moment when the global inequity affecting all the characters transpires. This driver separates Backstory from Story and drives the Audience towards the narrative’s ultimate resolution.
The first in a series of 2-minute instructional videos that cover the often discussed, yet unfortunately misunderstood concept of “character arc.” And what better way to start off this new channel on StoryFanatic then to cover the classic meta-hero from Star Wars, Luke Skywalker. Future installments will feature even more complex characters, but each will maintain the short bite-sized approach to understanding story structure.