I've been a fan of good storytelling since I was a kid. I used to love reading a good book, or watching a good movie or a good television show, always latching onto the moments that stirred my own emotion through a combination of compelling characters, intense conflict, and thrilling action. Looking back on my playful childhood, I think we all innately understand these elements; watch any kid play "pretend" and you'll see emotion, objectives, conflict, and plot unfold before you.
In my teens I became heavily involved in theatre, and eventually found my way to writing. Studying playwriting in college, I learned the classic formula that defines all drama - "objective + obstacle = conflict" - and was taught that repeated conflict, with different tactics, leads to dramatic action.
But while these elements are crucial for storytelling, good storytelling is more than just repeated conflict. (Just ask anyone who's seen a bad action flick...) In recent years, I've become fascinated by the various components of good storytelling and how they all come together to create those magic moments we experience as audience members.
In this blog, I take a critical and analytical eye to some great and some not-so-great stories that I've seen or read, and try to distill some lessons about the art, skill, and wonder of storytelling. Along the way, I'll share some observations about relevant ideas and experiences that add to my own understanding of story and what makes it good.
I hope you enjoy reading my blog even half as much as I enjoy writing it, and I encourage you to please share your thoughts and responses. The best learning experiences are collective ones, so while it's fun for me to share my own musings, it's even more rewarding to have a conversation about them with others.
Happy reading, and always be on the lookout for good storytelling!
Cheers,
Eric
July 2012
