A Simple (But Essential) Truth for Good Storytelling - Watch a Movie
Movies are a great source for learning the structure of good storytelling. There is a beginning with a problem-setup; there is a middle in which the problem gets worse and worse; and there is a ending in which the problem is resolved, for good or bad.
I watched a movie recently called “Flywheel.” It’s a Christian film from the same folks who did the movie “Facing the Giants.” Now, neither of these movies are going to win any kind of major award. The acting is, for the most part, not on the level of major studio movies. But, here’s the thing. You can learn two things from these two movies.
First, in order to tell a story, make things tough for your main character. I mean, be mean. And step up the pressure on your main character until things look hopeless. Your readers will worry, get mad, wonder if things can get any worse and then gulp in amazement as they do–but they will keep reading.
Second, write and send out your work. Do it now. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Believe me, what’s amateurish now might very well be good enough for publication and–here’s the second big point–your writing will improve over time. “Flywheel” was corny and almost funny in the lack of professional filmmaking, at least early in the film. But you know what? It told a good story and if you hung with it, you enjoyed the movie because of the story and the characters. The fact that the sound and the lighting and all the ancillary parts of making a movie were not the best didn’t really matter. It told a good story and “Facing the Giants” was even better with the ancillary aspects of the movie–the lighting, the sound, etc.–getting close to the level of films made by major studios. I bet the next film made by these folks will be even better. Moral: do the best you can now, because it’s probably not that bad anyway and it will only get better. If you don’t jump in now, you won’t have the chance to improve with practice.
That’s it for today. Watch a movie tonight and learn some valuable lessons about telling a story. Then sit yourself down and tell us a story. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
