A Narrative Odyssey
The Art of Storytelling
This is a hook.
A what?
A hook.
As in fishing?
No, not exactly.
Stories are the propagation of history. Written to convey the events of the past, intended to influence the plot of the future.
Every story carries a message; sometimes from far away lands, but more often from within the frame of your LED screens. But what really are — stories?
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away.”
“Once upon a time…”
“It all started when…”
“Two guys walk into a bar…”
Stories relay the essence of events worth sharing. An event without an impact is merely a mirage.
But how should we tell stories? Through a viewfinder?
Through prose?
Ah ha! No, no, no — I’ve got it!
Foolproof.
The Art of Storytelling
“Every story has a beginning. An origin. Something that sets the time, place, and point of view for the actor.”
“An Actor? Sure. The agent or recipient of the story.”
“Then — a deep point of view. The place where reality is suspended into myth. The hook, to draw you into the narrative. And keep you there.”
“Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
“Wait — speeches are stories too?”
“Absolutely.”
“Next, we need an agent. A character. A hero who drives the plot and themes of the narrative. Someone or something that has primal needs. Primal wants? Primal drives…”
“What else?”
“Well…how about a catalyst?”
“A what?”
“A catalyst. Something that sets the story in motion.”
“You’re a wizard, Harry.”
“We need to destroy the ring!”
“Now that the Trojan War is over, we best return home — don’t worry, it’ll only take us ten more years…”
“Luke, I am your father!”
“Once we have a character who has a primal want, we must embark on a quest of course!”
“A quest?”
“Well, more like an Odyssey.”
“An Odyssey…”
“Yes. An adventure to fulfill what the character needs to achieve.”
“I thought it was all about what the character wants?”
“Sometimes what the character needs, isn’t what the character wants. Therein lies the theme of the story, and usually, the reason why it’s being told!”
“I see, so you’re saying every story has a conflict. A challenge?”
“Yes. And even friends and foes.”
“But there’s always a hero?”
“Absolutely. Someone who conquers the trials of the plot.”
“Why should we care about this hero?”
“Well, therein lies the art of storytelling. We need a hero that we can RELATE to. Someone who embodies our own needs and wants. Someone we can learn from, about what it takes to conquer our own challenges and even fulfill our own —
“Odyssey.”
