Why should you Research, as a Storyteller?

  • You want to develop your World.
  • You’re in need of references.
  • You wonder how you’ll get this references.
  • Here’s how.

Summary – The 4 steps of your Research Process

  1. Research the Etymology of your 4 Themes.
  2. Research the defining traits of your Characters :
    • Origins/Name meaning
    • Leisure/Profession
    • Quirks
  3. Find references for each Organization.
  4. Find references for each Environment/Setting.
  • As you research you want to focus on Definitions & Etymology.
  • This will maximize your Accuracy.
  • And the Depth of your World.

Preliminary & Core knowledge

  • Fundamental Knowledge
  • What do you want to know?
  • What do you need to know?
  • You may need a specific set of skills to write your main Characters.
    • On any other Character.
  • You may need a specific piece of Information to describe a Scene.
    • Or a Setting.
  • A fitting understanding of a matter is always beneficial.
  • If it does not denature the rhythm of the Story.
  • Main Interests
  • What do you enjoy?
  • What do you want to share with the Public?
  • What do you want them to feel?
  • Find a Balance between Pleasing & Needed data.
  • Emotions are conveyed by an Atmosphere.
  • Which kind of Atmosphere do you want to create?
  • The knowledge you possess may help the Public feel more comfortable about the rest of the Story.
  • If you appear knowledgeable, or the Character appears to be, it can create a climate of confidence.
  • Sharing your knowledge with the Public may also create a sense of familiarity with you.
  • As they now, know you better.
  • It helps to develop a sense of belonging.
  • What is essential to the Story
  • 1 Scene, 1 Goal.
  • To get a Specific response from the Public & the Characters.
  • You need to deliver a Specific piece of Information.
  • Is the Information presented essential?
  • Or is it a comforting pillow?
  • If a substance has been used in a homicide, you’ll need to know about this substance’s effects & modes of administration.
    • And eventually its structure & formula.
  • You don’t need to know about its different conformations, its origins, its synthesis process or its repercussions on a specific individual presenting genetic peculiarities.
    • Unless if it was the character killed.
  • You need as much data as the Scene is important.

You do not need to research much

  • You may want to
  • Researching may be a great way to start a Story.
  • Or to reignite a Series, you’d start and let be.
  • A new Piece of Information can change your perception of a Story.
    • Wherever it is as a Writer or as a Reader.
  • Research may also be your way to take breaks.
    • You may be writing for 20′ periods.
    • And researching for 5′.
  • Researching as an Entertainment
  • Research may amuse you.
  • And it maybe the most fruitful activity.
  • If you can adapt what you discover to what you need to deliver.
  • If you can sell a topic the Story may greatly benefit from it.
  • Especially if you deliver it with enthusiasm.
  • And if this enthusiasm generates relatability.
  • Again, sharing your passion may help to develop a sense of Belonging.
  • And a wish for the Public to return to this World.
  • Diversity & Consistency
  • Research becomes essential in 1 case.
  • When you start a Series.
  • Not only do you want to provide a sense of Novelty to the Public.
  • You also want to Provide a strong Continuity.
  • And then, you need to check the series’ Consistency.
  • In a Series, you don’t want to the world to change too fast.
  • Every Series is a Stretch.
    • Even if it’s 6 episodes long.
  • Research allows you to detail your world and therefore make it more compelling, in this sense.
  • Details will not be sufficient if you don’t have a core Story.

Writing a Fable or a Tale

  • An Enjoyable Story
  • The Public wants strong characters.
  • Loveable Characters.
  • Funny Characters.
  • Characters which will entertain them as the Story unfolds.
  • Characters which, as they appear on screen, will make them smile.
  • The same logic is applicable to Environments & Settings.
  • A Relatable Story
  • The Public wants weak characters.
  • Daunting Characters.
  • Fallible Characters.
  • Characters which will remain with them as the Story ends.
  • Characters which, as they appear on screen, will make them doubt.
  • Themselves & their choices.
  • In a proportionate matter.
  • Some weak Character commit such grisly & stupid acts that they repulse the Public.
  • Destroying the chance of creating any for of attachment.
    • You may want to integrate this type of Character if their evolution allows them to become more likeable.
    • Or if they are minor Characters.
    • Otherwise, they’ll anger the Public.
  • The same logic is applicable to Environments & Settings.
  • A Memorable Story
  • The Public wants quirky Characters.
  • Enthralling Characters.
  • Heartening Characters.
  • Characters which will remain with them after the Story has ended.
  • Characters which, as they appear on screen, will make them question.
    • What will she do?
    • I can’t tell what she’ll do.
    • But I want to feel an emotion.
    • I want to remember this emotion.
    • And I know she can do that.
  • Memorable Characters are not Accidental.
  • But they are unpredictable, even for you, the Writer.
  • They create Moments.
  • Memorable Moments.
  • The same logic is applicable to Environments & Settings.

The Public wants Stories, not Facts

  • Entertainment & Education could work together
  • It could be popular belief.
  • And if you want work towards it, you’ll only make things better.
  • But it is a daunting task.
  • As knowledge as rarely been presented as fun.
  • Would you make it funny?
  • How so?
  • Would you create a Character which is both knowledgeable & funny?
  • Level of Detail
  • A Scene should be as Detailed as it is Important.
  • You’ll have core scenes.
  • They may be Crisis scenes.
  • They may be more quiet Conflict.
  • Or they may be scenes of Rest & pondering.
  • In every cause fledging the Atmosphere is essential.
  • Giving the Setting an Appropriate level of description allows the Atmosphere to Install herself.
  • Aversion to Precision
  • Be aware of not misinterpreting.
  • The Public does not want Precision.
  • The Public wants Comfort.
  • And Precision may bring Comfort.
  • Precision if it does not answer a question is highly detrimental.
  • Precision is used to convey a sense of Belonging & Familiarity.
    • It is its Function.
    • Not its Purpose.