Originality emerges from structure. Once you have a story idea, you can expand the idea into a story by using structure. In the initial extrapolation the new story structure will resemble the one being mirrored, but past a critical threshold, the needs of the new story will begin to dictate the structure. As you proceed (second and third drafts) the distance from the original mirror will increase significantly ? enough that the terms "novel" or "original" can be applied to the new story. Hence originality emerges from structure and mirroring.
You can mirror structure but not ideas. If you analyse all your favourite movies or stories, scene by scene and sequence by sequence (admittedly, this relies on you knowing how to analyse stories), you will realise that you can argue that all stories are more or less the same. The expression "there is only one story" has some truth to it. Many writers, consciously or subconsciously, mirror story structure but not story ideas. After all, the audience has expectations as to what a story should be.
Time pressure versus incubation. Both are valuable. Initially use time pressure to extrapolate an idea into a complete story. Then allow incubation to provide you with richer insights.
Think of the apotheosis. Every hero has a seminal insight, an illumination - the apotheosis. Once you know what that insight will be, you can start building your story up to and beyond that point. If you know the apotheosis, then you know the hero's inner challenge - this helps you keep the hero and story centred.
Think of the synergy. Synergy is a form of apotheosis. In The Dirty Dozen, Lee Marvin's challenge is to make his men operate as an effective unit. When Charles Bronson et al attain synergy - they overpower the Major's men in the war games sequence. The whole second act is constructed around the need to reach synergy ? to bring all the protagonists together to face the common enemy.
The above are explained in depth at http://www.managing-creativity.com/
You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.
Kal Bishop, MBA
**********************************
You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.
Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at www.managing-creativity.com
Batchtown Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareDr. Phil's Life Strategies, #1 New York Times Bestseller catches... Read More
There is an image most people carry of the artist... Read More
Pictures they say are worth a thousand words, but many... Read More
The process of developing a working title for your nonfiction... Read More
Most writers are familiar with first and third points of... Read More
Freelance writer STANLEY BURKHARDT has a passion for animals. He... Read More
Want to write a how-to article but can't come up... Read More
Good writing is like sex. Two people are involved ?... Read More
Some writers are just too kind.They hate to put their... Read More
* Scanning and Skimming Practices *Whether you're writing e-mail messages... Read More
So, you want to freelance as an editor, writer, copy... Read More
When we write stories, with the purpose of sharing them... Read More
LATER, LATTERLater means afterwards; latter is the second of two... Read More
If your cash is running out fast and you have... Read More
If you're a writer, you're in business. It doesn't matter... Read More
Without denigrating the work and contribution of Syd Field to... Read More
Real Estate has "Location, location, location," and writing has "Clips,... Read More
The works you've written are numerous, ranging from short stories... Read More
Sure you can write, but can you write crisp, compelling... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?The writer, who doesn't have the time... Read More
The hardest part of nonfiction writing is finding a subject... Read More
I just finished to read a book. A story for... Read More
Your query letter can be a deal maker or a... Read More
We've all seen those ads that grab our attention and... Read More
Self-examination sheds light on a writers motives, goals, and aspirations,... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..SO YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER?Many people have entertained... Read More
Characters in a good novel really carry the story along... Read More
Open up your favorite calendar and circle today's date.Why? Because... Read More
The process of developing a working title for your nonfiction... Read More
Boost Brain Power Through WritingHave you ever noticed what happens... Read More
Q. I'm staring at a blank screen with an equally... Read More
The principle for writing good screenplays begins with good idea... Read More
If you are a serious writer who wants to publish... Read More
At some point along the way, most of us have... Read More
Traditionally, business writing uses the "one thing after another" format,... Read More
One of the most common weaknesses I see in day-to-day... Read More
Prolific authors write; they don't just dream about it. A... Read More
IntroductionSometimes it may be beyond a companies or individuals budget... Read More
If you are reading this article then you probably have... Read More
Paulo Coelho was born on August 24th 1947 in Rio... Read More
Any article, report or book which is bought or sold... Read More
You are the only one who knows what being a... Read More
Names are important. Names give clues about us, where we... Read More
When the writing bug hits you, get out your pencil,... Read More
When I was young, I used to talk to myself.... Read More
Writing better is critical for students. But it's even more... Read More
To keep it simple and basic: Jack Finney's Invasion of... Read More
You may wonder why I have chosen this title of... Read More
Simply put, it is the art of writing scripts for... Read More
It is certainly true that we don't get a second... Read More
Writing |