THE ART OF STORY
Throughline & 2nd Act Sag
July 24, 2008
Most troubles in an ailing story can be traced back to a little something called the throughline*. Throughline is the motor in your story’s boat. It’s the single, pervasive concept that not only guides every event and action but also the one thing to which everything must directly relate.
A tall order? You betcha.
So what is it? Throughline is the answer to the question, “What does my protagonist want?” or if the hero is not conscious of their desires, “What does my protagonist need?” The answer may not be apparent on a first pass if you’re the writer (nor is it expected to be) but, at some point, writers and their story consultants need to hunker down and tease it out.
Read on
Suspension of Disbelief
July 19, 2008
You know that curmudgeon. Endlessly picking up clues and slotting them into some ancient, predetermined framework. A few pieces are allowed to poke out here and there but let one raise its ugly head too far and look out! Your whole waking dream is shattered. And bitterly so.
…you can only suffer so many shots below the waterline before the ship starts to sink. If the audience’s illusion of intention is repeatedly or grossly challenged by logic problems, they will revolt.
Thanks Craig. I thought I was the only one who just couldn’t get by the “magnetic thing” in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
By the way, if your story consultant isn’t a “Logic Nazi” then you’re in deep trouble. I’m just sayin’.
The Logic Nazi at The Artful Writer
Characters for an Epic Tale
July 2, 2008
I admit, this is a blatant repost (it’s actually a re-repost…) but it’s good and has to be shared.
In the spirit of some of my favorite “story craft” reads, here’s a visual representation of the players available to you should you find yourself up late some night drafting an epic tale.
(Click the image to enlarge.)
Characters for an Epic Tale on johnaugust.com via Team Forty
Illustration Credit: Tom Gauld