Introduction: The Success of Formulaic Storytelling 🎬🐱
While I’m not associated with Save the Cat, I’m a big fan of Blake Snyder’s system. Yes, it may be formulaic, but its success speaks for itself.
The Core Elements of a Great Story 🌟📝🎭
Stories, whether in films, novels, teleplays, or comics, revolve around three essential elements: Character, Plot, and Setting. In this discussion, we’ll focus on the importance of characters in creating engaging narratives. Join me as I build a Character Creation and Development course and discover a supportive community in our free Facebook Group.
1. Giving Characters Problems: Flaws and Challenges 😕💔
Invincible heroes or perfect protagonists don’t resonate with readers. Take Superman, for example. His near-invincibility can make writing compelling stories about him challenging. A character like Batman, who faces weaknesses like kryptonite, is more relatable.
Let’s consider Athena, the protagonist of my novel. As a Goddess of Wisdom, she faces a flaw of pride, causing her embarrassment and self-forgiveness issues. By making characters relatable and giving them problems, we create an emotional connection with the audience.
2. Pursuing Goals: Transforming Problems into the Main Story 🎯🚀
Characters’ problems should drive them to pursue specific goals. In “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy’s problem arises when her family wants Toto put to death. Her immediate goal becomes saving Toto, leading her to the magical land of Oz. Even as the protagonist’s goals shift, our desire for Dorothy’s safe return never wavers.
In my multimedia series, Athena’s immediate goal is to find a killer targeting couples at a local school, aiming to regain her respect. Their goals or wants drive the narrative, but their initial approach may be flawed, requiring a learning process.
3. The Inner Story: The Need for Growth and Lessons Learned 🌱📖🎓
Beyond the main goal lies the character arc, the protagonist’s inner story, and the key to connecting with the audience. “Avengers: Endgame” illustrates this beautifully as the heroes realize their need to sacrifice in the face of failure in “Infinity War.” Hulk sacrifices his arm, and Ironman sacrifices his life to save others.
In my series, Athena’s character arc involves learning to forgive herself and seek forgiveness from others, culminating in personal growth.
Conclusion: Crafting Resonating Characters 🧠💡🔑
To create characters the audience cares about, focus on three essential aspects: Problem/Flaw, Want/Goal, and Need/Lesson. Join our free Facebook Group to dive deeper into this topic on Tuesday.
Explore More with Bee Terrific Media! 🐝🌐
📧 Free Email List: Sign up for writing tips, course updates, and project information! Link: https://terriojenkins.clickfunnels.com/optin1690471507296
🗣️ Free Facebook Group: Join us for lectures, discussions, and suggestions. Share your stories too! Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/beeterrificmedia
💻 Paid Members: Level up your writing skills with our monthly course! Weekly assignments, critiques, and materials provided. Link: https://www.patreon.com/checkout/BeeTerrificMedia/10052785
🐝 Patreon: Be part of our community and enjoy multiple tiers of budget-friendly rewards! Link: www.patreon.com/beeterrificmedia
