Why we write? What do we write?
Understading the stories we tell and a method to write better…
“Nothing bad can happen to a writer. Everything is material.”
A very assertive quote from Philip Roth to artists, and it is so true.
Over a long period of time, I’ve been asked by producers and editors how my imagination works to create stories that are deep, complex, yet easy to understand. Countless times, I have said that these are not ideas that come from brainstorming. We’ve been told that ideas are the seeds for a book, play, or screenplay. That is just not true. Ideas are temporary; they come and go, and it is rare that they stay in our heads long enough to turn into a long-term project such as a book or screenplay.
So, what do we write? After being a writer for so many years and meditating on this question, I’ve come to the conclusion that we write three types of anecdotes that can turn into a movie or book:
THEMES
We will always write about themes. A theme is a single word that possesses a universal meaning. An anecdote cannot have marriage as a theme because marriage is not a universal concept. There are cultures that do not engage in this type of union, and the institution of marriage varies significantly between regions, such as between the United Kingdom and Russia.
You may wonder, if your anecdote has marriage as the story, then what is the theme? The theme should be something universal, such as fear, love, vengeance, etc… These are indeed universal concepts. Although one could argue that we do not love in the same way or fear the same things, these concepts remain universal. Love is deep affection, fear is the perception of pain or a threat, and vengeance is the desire to punish others for a wrong they have done to you or someone else.
If you are writing a story about marriage, it can easily have fear as the theme — fear of commitment, cold feet, fear of the partner, or fear of a family tradition. However, the underlying theme remains fear. We will discuss “final images” later, but if your story revolves around a protagonist who is afraid, then your “final image” or ending should depict the conquering of this fear, or perhaps the failure to do so.
REALITIES
These are easier to identify. I’ve observed that all stories fall into three categories:
STORIES
And finally, we write stories (though that might seem obvious). There are three types of stories we commonly write:
HOW TO WRITE?
Once you have your anecdote, a great starting point is to identify its theme and determine whether it’s based on reality or a story. This understanding will strengthen your protagonist, as he/she will be the vehicle through which you deliver your message.
THE MESSAGE
After identifying the theme, the next step is to ask yourself:
What do you want to say about this theme?
This forms the core of your movie or book — the central message you aim to convey.
For example, if your theme is love, your message might be that “love is painful.” This core message will guide the development of your narrative and the evolution of your protagonist’s journey.
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After that you need to have a controlling idea.
CONTROLLING IDEA
The controlling idea ensures that your protagonist effectively delivers a meaningful message. It’s a concept that ensures your story has a clear and impactful takeaway. I’ll provide an example shortly.
And finally you have your Point of View.
POINT OF VIEW
This determines who narrates the story and through whose perspective the events are seen. It distinguishes the protagonist (the central character) from the narrative lens.
Do the following before you hit any keys on Word or Final Draft:
FROM WHICH POINT OF VIEW DO YOU VERIFY THAT YOUR PROTAGONIST IS IN A CONTEXT TRANSMITTING A MESSAGE ABOUT A TOPIC
A brief example could be:
Anecdote: During a wedding ceremony, the groom gets cold feet after the priest asks him a question.
Theme: Fear
Message: Marriage is an important decision.
Context: Louisville, KY in 2012
Protagonist: The groom.
Controlling Idea: “Are you sure that when you say ‘I do,’ you do?”
Point of View: The story is told from the perspective of one of the waitress
After that, you will notice that you have your synopsis already, and with that you are good to go, you can begin writting.
Nobody writes coincidences, we all write experiences.
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Enrique Bancalari
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