Make Your Story Matter!

Here’s an interesting question, found on one of the online discussion groups I belong to (Digital Storytellers):

If you had to describe in several steps (5 to 10) the key steps of good storytelling, what would they be?

Since this is a subject near and dear to my heart, I’ll make certain to share my take within the discussion thread, but also thought I’d share it on MindoMondo as well.   The points I’m addressing here are adaptable to all stories, regardless of their medium, delivery platform or length.

For me the list really can be distilled to five simple points. I’m far too lazy for ten! Sure, these can be expanded on with tangential ideas, but, within my own creative approach, these are always the core absolutes, inspirational and indispensable:

1.   Empathy

Your story only matters in as much as it delivers meaning to those who might come across it.   Everyone has their own ongoing life story.  Yours has to mesh with it in a way that mirrors and even provides answers to the reader’s/viewer’s/user’s own anxieties, loves, hates, hopes and dreams.  This is true in short form, long form, linear, and even non-linear stories.

2.  Honesty

If you need empathy for the narrative appetite of others, then you also have to tap into your own internal motivations, even if you’re telling a story with no true personal connection. You HAVE TO find that thing within yourself that makes you care about this story.  Your  job is to find the psychological bridge that allows you to connect.

3.  Analogy

I’m going out on a limb with this one, but I think all good stories have an analogous quality.  To me, it’s just like visual compositions.  You rarely take an interesting picture by approaching the thing head on.  Angles are the thing!  Analogies are the storytelling equivalent of that visual rule.  Analogies (and their metaphorical cousins) provide the narrative geometry that compel us to look at things anew and with a fresh, receptive perception.

4.  Characterization

This one sounds pretty obvious.  Of course stories have characters!  However, I’m always amazed at how many stories shortchange when it comes to interesting characterization.   Remember honesty?   (see key step #2)   If you haven’t mastered honesty, you’ll also have a tough time with characterization.   It’s only the ability to acutely observe, both internally and externally, that allows us to share items of interest.   People are generally the subjects of stories.  You have to be a keen observer to mine the veins of human characterization.    Likewise, you also have to apply those same powers of observation to elements of place and setting.   All these things demand thought in terms of characterization.  Even if the thinking does not make it overtly into the story, your observations still power the backstory and imbue the whole thing a sense of depth and credibility.

5.  The Unexpected

Produce something I didn’t see coming, and I’ll remember you.  Give me everything I expected, and I’ll resent your consumption of my time.  That simple!

There. That’s my  take on it.  I know, I didn’t mention pacing and voice, and I didn’t give metaphors their full due.  No apologies here.  That’s just the kind of imperfect blogger I am!   Though, I do hope you have your own list, and I hope you’ll feel free to vehemently disagree with some or all of the above.  Just one thing – when you reply, at least be sure to include a smidgen of Key Step #5!

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