Thinking About Story

The art of storytelling can take on many shapes and forms; from the age old “heroes journey” to the parable or epic to the modern categories of romance, drama, action, thriller, or horror. No matter what the lesson or message, good stories have much in common. They usually flow in a comprehendible if not always chronological manner and they keep the audience engaged throughout, through unexpected events or misguided information. Within the story one or more characters will eventually go through some kind of transformation and there is usually some kind of resolution that brings closure to the story.
In order to create a ‘good’ story, one must focus on the ‘story core’, which exposes how people change, learn, and grow because of certain challenges and opportunities in their lives. This is where ones creativity must begin. You can draw out your story core in a map format or storyboard format or you can write it out in outline form. But, one does not have to begin creating a story by using this or similar formulas. “Many times, stories emerge through a process of discovery rather than by thinking in terms of a particular process,” states Ohler.
A classroom teacher can enlighten their students by analyzing stories in books, movies, or plays. Once students see the core and know what to listen for they will be better able to create their own creative stories for projects in class, and maybe more importantly be able to critically analyze what they are being fed through pop media culture.
When mapping a story in any format, one needs to remember that geometry can help. Create the shape of your story and start to fill in the blanks. The shape of your story should directly correspond to the way you want it to flow. Begin slowly by building up the characters or scenario, then increase the story line to an apex of questions, challenges, or difficulties. A struggle might follow in which the main character makes mistakes and eventually learns a profound lesson that allows him/her to overcome and finally apex the story line in a breakthrough, leading on into a new life or perspective.
Thinking about story has helped me formulate my own media projects and has also increased my understanding of story in general. It makes me think of the most intriguing stories I know and analyze them. For instance, the suspense and anticipation of traditional Native stories where the teller speaks very slowly, choosing his words carefully and meaningfully to have the most impact on listeners; or Quentin Tarantino’s version of misdirection, in an untraditional story line that keeps the viewers guessing throughout is entirety. I have come to believe that ones knowledge of story can truly enhance ones knowledge of history in general.