How to Improvise? Continuity

A simple Structure

• A 10 chapters provides clarity & readability.
• The Main Story is separated into 2 parts : the Apparent Story & the Hidden Story.

• The Apparent Story
• Chapter 1 – Atmosphere & Main characters.
• Chapter 2 – Apparent Threat is revealed.
  • The Apparent Threat may be the main antagonist, a secondary antagonist or a non-human element.
• Chapter 3 is the 1st Crisis : the Disruption Crisis.
  • The Protagonist is forced to act to defend herself.
• Chapter 4, 1st Anchor – Relationships & Resources.
  • The Protagonist anchors her relationships with supporters.
• Chapter 5 – Gathering Information & Discovery
  • The Protagonist Discovers there may be a Hidden Threat.
• Chapter 6 is the 2nd and Central Crisis.
  • The Hidden Threat is revealed.

• The Hidden Story
• Chapter 7, 2nd Anchor – Recovery.
  • This is chapter serves as a recovery from the Central and most violent Crisis.
• Chapter 8 – Preparing for the End.
  • The protagonist confronts the Hidden Threat.
• Chapter 9 is the Last Crisis : The Unfolding/Revelation Crisis.
  • Do they Protagonist Destroy/Vanquish the Hidden Threat?
  • Do they Fail?
• Chapter 10 – Epilogue.

Engaging the Characters

• What are the Characters’ reactions to the Story?
• What triggers the characters?
• What creates an intense reaction?
• What creates an intense relationship?
• What leads to a brutal outcome?

• What are the Characters Interests?
• What do the Characters need?
• What do they want?
• What excites them?
• What bores them?

• What are the Characters Goals?
• Where do each of the characters go?
• Do their trajectory overlap?
• Would they adopt a similar position during a Crisis?
• Would they support each other?
• Would they rally others like themselves?

• What are the Characters Weakness?
• How can they support each other?
• Are certain weaknesses inappropriate?
• Are certain weaknesses detrimental to the group?
• Are certain weaknesses unacceptable?
• How should they be changed?

• Give multiple form of interests to each of your characters.
• If their sources of motivation overlap you can intertwine their schedules.
• The more interest they have in common the more nurtured will their relationships be.
• And more cohesive will be the group.

• How does the Public Relate to the Characters?
• Do they constitute an Idealized form of themselves?
• Would they be friend with the characters?
• Would they want the characters to be a part of their lives?
• Would they despise the characters?
• The Public & the Characters are 1 great Team.
• Creating cohesion between them creates Engagement.
• Engagement creates Reliability.
• Reliability creates Consistency.

Crucial Information

• Why is Information the fundamental resource of the Story?
• Information Attracts characters.
• Information Hooks characters.
• Lack of Information Denies any continuation in the Story.
• A recurrent denial creates an Appetite for Information.
• Then, a piece of Information placed in a location dear to the Protagonist will grab the Characters.
• Finally, this piece of Information should lead the Characters to a Crisis.

• How should you use Clues?
• Are the character Missing any Information?
• What kind of Missing Information?
  • Did they Miss Clues?
  • Did they Miss Dialogues?
  • Can they get this Information in another Place?
  • Can they get this Information from another Character?
• Did they get a Wrong Information?
  • Why is this Information Wrong?
  • How has it been corrupted?
• Did they get a Falsified Information?
  • Who would benefit from this Fake?
• Did they Misunderstand the Information?

• Which information do the Characters need?
• When do they need it?
  • Is it an urgent piece of Information to get?
  • Is there an emergency?
• Where should they find it?
  • What are the clues available in the location?
  • What doesn’t fit in the room?
• In which way?
  • Which level of incongruency do you need?
  • How much exaggeration do you need?
  • How much should the object shake & tweak & shiver to be visible?
• Through whom?
  • Who is qualified to give them information?
  • Who is needed to give them information?
  • Who is dependent on the Characters?
  • Who is reliant on the Characters?

• What will the Information bring them?
• New Relationships?
• Enjoyment & Satisfaction?
• Closeness & Belonging?
• More Resources?
  • Money?
  • A certain Artifact?
  • More Information?

Create a Mythology

• Which Symbols do you use?
• Which Images do you use?
• Which Idols do you use?
• Are there any Humanoid representations?
• To what the Characters turn to?
• Where do they go when they need comfort?

• Main Rules of the Civilized World
• What is forbidden?
• What is mandatory?
• What is seen as commendable?
• What sort of individual is revered?
• What type of individual is abhorred?
• Do the characters agree with this vision of Mankind?
• Which zones are forbidden?
• Which zones are forgotten?
• How is the Economy of this World?
  • How competitive is it?
  • How oligopolistic is it?

• Natural Laws
• What are the limits of this world?
• How does the 4 fundamental forces function?
  • Gravity
  • Electromagnetism
  • Radioactivity
• How does Entropy function?
• How is the Ecology of this World?
  • How homogenous is it?
  • How diverse is it?

Coherence & Consistency

• How do you define the essential terms of your story?
• What is Coherence?
  • How do you use Settings to ensure it?
  • How is Causality displayed?
  • How is Fatality perceived?
• What is Consistency?
  • How do you use Characters to ensure it?
  • What is a Behavior?
  • What is an Identity?

• Can you visualize the Characters actions?
• How do you use Parallelism?
• How do you use Symmetry?
• How do you use Resonance?
• How do you use Repetition?
• How do you use Exaggeration?

• Draw 3 maps.
• Draw a map of your story.
  • What are the most important elements?
  • When are they discovered?
  • What sort of Conflict will be displayed?
  • What will be the Stakes of the story?
  • What are the Main elements of the Story?
• Draw a map of your City/Country/Setting.
  • What are the Landmarks?
  • What are the Places of Interests?
  • Which places are restricted?
• Draw a map of your Characters relationships.
  • How do characters act toward one another?
  • How do they react in each other’s presence?
  • Relationships Tie the Story.
  • They are the core of Consistency.