The Secret To Storytelling
[ THREAD ]
Let's go👇
[ THREAD ]
Let's go👇
There's one big thing that separates good and bad storytellers.
Bad storytellers tend to tell stories sequentially:
First X happened. Then Y happened. Then Z happened.
No one cares.
Bad storytellers tend to tell stories sequentially:
First X happened. Then Y happened. Then Z happened.
No one cares.
Notice that in a sequential story, events are linked by the word "and."
First X...and then Y...and then Z.
This is a weak structure.
First X...and then Y...and then Z.
This is a weak structure.
Great storytellers, on the other hand, link ideas using the word "but."
"The good news is...but the bad news is..."
This is a dramatic structure that creates tension and interest.
"The good news is...but the bad news is..."
This is a dramatic structure that creates tension and interest.
But don't take my word for it...
Let's look at how blockbuster shows and films use this structure to achieve explosive popularity.
Let's look at how blockbuster shows and films use this structure to achieve explosive popularity.
Example #1: The Dark Knight
The good news is that Batman takes down the Joker.
But not before he's faced with an unbearable choice.
Saving Gotham or saving the woman he loves.
The good news is that Batman takes down the Joker.
But not before he's faced with an unbearable choice.
Saving Gotham or saving the woman he loves.
Example #2: Breaking Bad
The good news is that Walt claims the power and status that he was so badly missing.
The bad news is that he corrupts his soul, destroys his family, and ruins many lives in the process.
The good news is that Walt claims the power and status that he was so badly missing.
The bad news is that he corrupts his soul, destroys his family, and ruins many lives in the process.
Example #3: Game Of Thrones
This structure applies to every storyline within GoT as well as the show as a whole.
Arya becomes a lethal assassin but loses her innocence.
Jaime Lannister develops morality but loses his hand.
Daenerys wins the throne but is killed by her lover.
This structure applies to every storyline within GoT as well as the show as a whole.
Arya becomes a lethal assassin but loses her innocence.
Jaime Lannister develops morality but loses his hand.
Daenerys wins the throne but is killed by her lover.
Example #4: Joker
The "good" news is that a character who you have empathy towards self-actualizes.
The bad news is that he takes a hard turn towards evil and inspires anarchy and violence across a city.
The "good" news is that a character who you have empathy towards self-actualizes.
The bad news is that he takes a hard turn towards evil and inspires anarchy and violence across a city.
Example #5: The Matrix
The good news is that Neo defeats Agent Smith and makes a truce with the Machines to free people from the Matrix.
The bad news is Trinity, Neo's lover, is fatally impaled by a piece of rebar and dies in Neo's arms.
The good news is that Neo defeats Agent Smith and makes a truce with the Machines to free people from the Matrix.
The bad news is Trinity, Neo's lover, is fatally impaled by a piece of rebar and dies in Neo's arms.
What does all of this mean for you?
It means that when you're telling a story, make sure it has a dilemma.
It means that when you're telling a story, make sure it has a dilemma.
You, as the hero of your story, encounter a dilemma.
The dilemma can only be solved by a shift in your perception.
This is the crux of what makes a hero. Heroes are willing to change their view of the world to do what's right.
The dilemma can only be solved by a shift in your perception.
This is the crux of what makes a hero. Heroes are willing to change their view of the world to do what's right.
That's all friends!
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Also, here is my original thread on storytelling:
