Have you visited the TED site for inspirational and educational videos? There are some amazing resources there, and many of these can act as free workshops to improve your writing.
The video below is Andrew Stanton telling us the essential ingredients required for a good story. If you're having trouble with your manuscript, check and see what you might be missing. For those that don't like to sit still for a video, I have summarised in my own thoughts, what the key points are below.
- Every story should open with a promise. Can the reader see straight away the adventure awaiting, or the romance that will blossom? If you don't have a clue in the opening, then why would they want to read on?
- The reader wants to work at the story. Carefully constructed absence of information draws us in, we want to solve the puzzle. Don't give the reader 4, give them 2+2.
- What drives your character? This is their internal motivation, one they usually have no idea exists, it's an itch they can't scratch. When revealed it comes as a shock to the character, but not us, we knew this what they really needed all along.
- Change. If your story is remains constant, you have no story. Insert changes to force action.
- Anticipation - have you made me wonder what will happen next? This is the 'page-turner' element.
- A strong theme is present through the whole story. So that every single thing you put into your novel is moving it towards the inevitable end (even though the end won't seem inevitable during the journey).
- Can you evoke wonder? This is tricky to explain because Stanton even says there is no way to fake this. I think if you are true to the next suggestion, you will achieve wonder.
- Draw from what you know is real, infuse your core beliefs into your story (without preaching). Any element of simple truth will resonate with the reader.
There's my interpretation of Stanton's elements of the invisible workings of story. Hope you get a chance to watch the clip (and many more) from TED.
Lots of good vids on TED, both on writing and other stuff. This one is a great one.
ReplyDeletemood
Excellent post, Charmaine. I'm a TED fan!
ReplyDeleteJenny @ PEARSON REPORT
Thank you for summing this up, Charmaine. I am adding it to my file of writing tips. :)
ReplyDeleteSome pretty good tips there. Thanks for sharing these!
ReplyDeleteI love TED videos. Didn't have time to watch this one now, but sure appreciate your summary. I also had never thought of looking up TED videos on writing. Now I know. Thanks so much Charmaine.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. Thanks!
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ReplyDeleteBlog hopping and stumbled upon your wonderful blog.
Great blog !
Best of luck !
Rajiv
www.magicalpresent.blogspot.com
www.magnificentdewdrops.blogspot.com
I like this list, especially the part about how stories should open with a promise. I've read other novels where nothing really happened for the first forty pages or so, because they were mainly just describing the people and the setting. I like it better when things start happening sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE TED! Watch those specials all the time (on Netflix.) Great list--glad I stopped by :)
ReplyDeleteYes, elements of simple truths, especially the ones people don't usually like to point out aloud, gives a character credibility. I also like the suggestion about opening the story with a promise.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post!
So blogger looks different...again! You know my little netbook doesn't have a big brain, so thanks for summarising the points for us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the video and breakdown. Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI regularly check out TED. There's so many interesting topics :)
ReplyDeleteI have seen some TED videos and they are truly educational and informative. Will look out for this one.
ReplyDeleteThis is the kind of post you have to bookmark and come back and check out again and again. Thanks Charmaine.
ReplyDeleteNo, I am not familiar with Ted's videos. But thanks for sharing him with us Charmaine ....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the introduction to TED videos, Charmaine. Good advice.
ReplyDeleteNas
Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the information. I will have to check TED out, as I can always do with ways to improve my writing and if I get a little inspiration as well, then that is even better. Thank you so much for stopping by and following my blog.
ReplyDeleteNumber 2 is so true! As a literary agent I find myself telling people that one all the time!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Charmaine! Very good info to have, and I appreciate you consolidating the video for us.
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