Story
August 3, 2000
7:38 a.m.
So, what is Story? Just what is it that takes a simple little effort and gives it Story with the capital S? I'm thinking about this right now because of a note attached to an entry of mine. Rarely, you see, do I get any real guidance when I sit down to write these little things. Rarely do I get a request. But Lisa was doing a search on "Typosphere" yesterday, and ran across a page where a guy has linked to three of my entries. It's fascinating, by the way, to see what people pick as their favorite items. But that is another discussion. The point of today's entry is what is Story, and the reason I'm writing it is to respond to a note attached to one of my entries. The note says something like "It would be nice to know what these two guys mean when they say Story." (The item in question is my bit about Talent in respons to Stephen Leigh's bit). So, what the heck is Story? Hmmm ... Story is really simple. Story is the mechanics behind the plot, and the motivations of the characters. Story is what you tell people about a great book when you describe it, or a great movie, or TV show. It's what the average person remembers about Shakespear. Whatever. Story is how the writer constructs their work. Story is the root of storytelling (which also includes a performance element). Well, duh, huh? Story really is very simple. That is what makes it so danged hard to do very well. It's also what makes writers get all rucked up when the discussion turns to the question of art vs. craft. "Artists" seem inherently threatened by Story. "Storytellers" seem unable to get a grip on what Artist's mean, and seem to constantly think them starry-eyed and generally weird. [grin] But everyone who's any good uses the techniques of Story. Definition: (finally) Story =
As I said, everyone who is any good uses the techniques of Story. Everyone. A few months back, I was working with a group of new writers, wherein I suggested that a story should start with the character and setting, and should fairly rapidly get to the problem. They were not overly impressed with my opinion. They looked at me with their fresh faces and their eyes twinkling with the glory of writing whatever the heck they wanted for all this time. No way were they going to let me off the hook with such strict doctrine. Rules, of course, are made to be broken. So I picked up a magazine I had brought with me to read one of my stories. "Okay," I said waving the book. "I have yet to read every story in this magazine. But I'll bet you any amount of money that of the 11 or so stories here, almost every one starts with character, setting, and problem." No one took my bet. But they wanted to know. So I read the first line of every story. Guess what? All but one started with character and setting, and the other started with the problem. You see, I could make that bet without reading the stories because I've been paying an awful lot of attention to how Story is developed. And I've been paying attention to it for several years. Story is everywhere. Asimovs: August 2000. Read it. Every story starts with character and setting in the first sentence, and some even have the problem thrown in. And remember, Asimov's is known as the most (or at least among the most) literary and experimental magazine in the field (for a major, anyway). There's more, of course. Story is about making characters stay in character. It's about making actions logical, and motivations interesting. Story is about internal validation that way. Story can carry a piece of work. Meaning that a story with nothing but decent mechanics can sell and succeed in the commercial market. This is because story is the key. It's what a majority of people take away from a writer's work. Style, of course, is glorious. Ray Bradbury can make a man weep. I've already mentioned how Harlan Ellison has ruined a couple good days work for me. I can't help but read Hemingway with a sense of awe. Pick your own example of a true writer and insert it here. These folks are special talents. These guys do stuff that sings. But you know what? If you pay attention, if you strip their glorious style away and look at what's happening under the hood ... These guys use Story as well as about anyone who's ever lived.   Have a great day.  Things Get Worse Daily Persistence is © Ron Collins |
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