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What Game of Thrones Teaches Us About Storytelling
[ THREAD ]
Let's go
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[ THREAD ]
Let's go
1: Heroes And Happiness Don't Mix.
I really wish this weren't the case. We'd all like to be both heroic and happy.
Unfortunately, heroism entails risk, sacrifice, and loss.
Jon Snow fits the mold. He loses two lovers. Much of his family.
Heroic? Yes. Happy? Sadly, not.
I really wish this weren't the case. We'd all like to be both heroic and happy.
Unfortunately, heroism entails risk, sacrifice, and loss.
Jon Snow fits the mold. He loses two lovers. Much of his family.
Heroic? Yes. Happy? Sadly, not.
2: Villains Are The Spice of Story.
When you're telling a story, include a good villain.
Heroes are predictable.
They operate within a narrow band of virtuous behavior. As a result, they can be boring.
Villains, by contrast, act however they want...
When you're telling a story, include a good villain.
Heroes are predictable.
They operate within a narrow band of virtuous behavior. As a result, they can be boring.
Villains, by contrast, act however they want...
Which makes villains integral to stories. They provide the surprise. The unexpected. The spice.
If heroes become too interesting and complex, they become anti-heroes like Don Draper or Walter White.
If heroes become too interesting and complex, they become anti-heroes like Don Draper or Walter White.
When you're telling a story, recall that villains don't need to be people.
They can be a supernatural force like the White Walkers. Or even an idea. https://twitter.com/LifeHornsWay/status/1301737709212491777
They can be a supernatural force like the White Walkers. Or even an idea. https://twitter.com/LifeHornsWay/status/1301737709212491777
3: Stories Need The Good And The Bad.
You don't want to be one of those people who tells stories sequentially. No one cares.
You have to develop tension. Tension is the motor of interest.
And the best way to create it is by ensuring you have a good side and bad side...
You don't want to be one of those people who tells stories sequentially. No one cares.
You have to develop tension. Tension is the motor of interest.
And the best way to create it is by ensuring you have a good side and bad side...
This is called dualism.
The good and bad don't negate each other. Rather they co-exist. Together, they ignite, build, and sustain tension.
A story about Jon Snow without Ramsey or Cersei would be lame. But when those characters co-exist, a compelling story emerges.
The good and bad don't negate each other. Rather they co-exist. Together, they ignite, build, and sustain tension.
A story about Jon Snow without Ramsey or Cersei would be lame. But when those characters co-exist, a compelling story emerges.
Also, note that the most interesting characters are often those who have the capacity for BOTH good and evil.
Jaime Lannister is a bastard who pushed young Bran Stark out a window. But he also saved Tyrion and developed a beautiful friendship with Brienne.
Jaime Lannister is a bastard who pushed young Bran Stark out a window. But he also saved Tyrion and developed a beautiful friendship with Brienne.
Many of the most memorable characters in Game of Thrones are those who harbor this duality within:
- Arya Stark
- The Hound
- Tyrion Lannister
- Arya Stark
- The Hound
- Tyrion Lannister
The biggest mistake people make when telling stories is omitting this duality.
1. Define the stakes.
2. Define the villains.
3. Define the conflict.
1. Define the stakes.
2. Define the villains.
3. Define the conflict.
That's all friends...for now. There's much more to write.
Would you like a Part 2? If this gets 20 upvotes, I'll follow up this weekend.
Let me know
Would you like a Part 2? If this gets 20 upvotes, I'll follow up this weekend.
Let me know
I'm releasing an entirely new book on the topic of persuasion. Coming this weekend.
Today is the last day I'm offering an exclusive pre-sale discount.
Get it now (ends in 6 hours) https://persuasionlaws.carrd.co/
Today is the last day I'm offering an exclusive pre-sale discount.
Get it now (ends in 6 hours)
https://persuasionlaws.carrd.co/
