Have you ever watched something on film or read a book, and by the end you feel like you completely wasted your time? I have. Especially when it comes to films, there are some really sad moments when it hits me how I could never get those two hours back… ever.
In many ways, I am a story nerd. I see storylines in everything and love drawing them out. I don’t know if you’ve heard about the term semiotics – it’s a study of signs and signifiers: basically, what does this image, sound, lighting or tone signify to the audience? For example – when you see a magazine ad of someone walking from left to the right of the page, the direction signifies that he is walking forwards because we read from left to right (it would be the other way around in the Middle East where they read right to left). But you can go even further – asking why the character is walking from the right to the left. What does he see that he is walking towards? What is he leaving behind? When will he reach his destination? There are endless elements of story in that simple image.
But as much the small details tell the story, there are also overarching themes that help drive a story forwards. Here are a few elements that are crucial – drawn from the study of the best stories written. I don’t know what your story looks like so far, but there is power in understanding what a good story consists of. I know it has helped me work through struggles – knowing I will at least have a great story to tell one day.
Crisis
Yup. If there is no crisis, the storyline will be weak. Think about Mufasa dying in the Lion King, Belle’s dad being imprisoned in Beauty and the Beast, Harry Potter’s parents dying and his horrible aunt and uncle. But crisis doesn’t have to only be personal. The enslavement and persecution of the Israelites in Prince of Egypt, the feud between families in Romeo and Juliet, World War II in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and the Death Star in Star Wars. Crisis does a few things to a storyline:
- It makes the audience sit up and engage – it’s not an everyday occurrence
- It places the audience in the main character’s shoes – it evokes emotion
- It makes the audience want to find out what happened – drives the movie forwards
All of us have some level of crisis in our lives. If you haven’t yet, just wait a little. But when it comes, don’t despise it. Don’t allow yourself to be lost in the emotion of it for too long. Your story is going to encourage others and help them commit to getting through their struggles as well.
Character development
This is where many stories struggle. They either are all about the storyline or all about the characters – something that is very hard to balance. But I can tell you, strong characters are way better than strong storylines in the end. One classic example today is Suits: the names Donna, Harvey Dent and Jessica Pearson are part of modern pop culture – but the storyline hasn’t changed much and only does in the interest of developing the character. It’s the same in our own lives. We can have the most adventurous storyline in life but have nothing to show for it. It’s not about how many countries you have been to. It’s not about the highs and lows of experience. Yes those things are valuable, but only if your character is developed through it. You need to be changed in order to have a story. You need to allow experience to shape you and your opinions. Your story is all about your character – your grit and tenacity.
Tension and climax
Think about the Titanic movie. Throughout the whole story, the audience is in a state of tension – knowing that the ship will sink. And the introduction of characters and love only heightens your dread for what is to come. It builds all the way until the ship hits the water and visually when the ship cracks in half and Jack dies. In The Sound of Music the tension of the Nazi’s invading Austria builds masterfully – climaxing to the point where the Von Trapps have to hide from the army behind convent tombstones while the soldiers bang on the gates and search for the family with flashlights.
The fact is: tension is your friend when it comes to your story. It helps you to keep moving and not get comfortable. One of the most powerful motivators you will ever have is frustration. Conflict – whether it be within yourself, with others or with society – is the fuel for your story. But unlike the entertaining moments on-screen or in a book, you can control the final outcome. You cannot decide what happens to you in life, but you can decide what to do with it. This is where character becomes crucial – would you be Rose and not let Jack on the raft? Or would you be Simba, getting over your guilt to save your land? It’s up to you.
Resolution
Yup – there is always a resolution. Whether it’s justice and peace – in almost every Marvel movie you find it; or ‘happy ever after’ wedding scenes – present in most of the princess Disney movies as well as Lord of the Rings. But just like every series storyline and most movies today – there is an open-ended suggestion that there could be more. In the same way, there might be a resolution to tension in your life now, but there is still a whole lot more story to come. These days especially, we live our lives striving for a moment where we will ‘arrive’ at our ‘happy ever after’. But if we only live for those moments, we will be sorely disappointed when the reel keeps on playing. You cannot live for those select small frames of footage in your life. There’s more adventure to be had!
One of the greatest catalysts for a good life story is Jesus. In fact, when you have a personal relationship with Him you find strength to make the right decisions during crisis. He helps you manage and navigate tension and frustration, and ultimately gives you the best resolution to life on earth: life in heaven. Click on the link below to find out more.