If you have ever had a serious class or have been a serious student of screen writing, then you have undoubtedly heard of John Truby. So far we have discussed character development and introduced the concept of plot. Let’s today, look at story structure done the Truby way.
Truby introduced 22 steps to creating a great story. we will look at these over the next few post. Today let’s look at step one: Self-Revelation – Need and Desire. As the author you have to establish the protagonist’s need. What is missing within your main character?
The need becomes the real source or the core of the story. In the best storylines the need is of a moral nature. This translates into your character, of necessity, needing to act improperly at the beginning of the story to establish the need.
The Need is what the protagonist must have in order to gain a better life. In contrast the desire is what the protagonist wants. The protagonist must be aware of the problem, but not of his need. Because the need is the source of the story, the writer must be aware of and never lose sight of this.
In my novel N.H.I.: No Humans Involved, Nate Richards’ problem is to solve the new series of murders, but his need, which he is blind to, is to rediscover his faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment