- Fables are Symbolic tales.
- Fables may be the best way to Start writing.
- They can also test the simplicity & clarity of experienced writers.
- Fables are Cycles.
Summary – 6 Steps to a Fable
- The Characters Discover the World.
- They Journey to the Place they are looking for.
- They meet a Threat.
- They Defeat this Apparent Threat.
- A True Menace unveils.
- They Defeat the Menace.
The Discovery
- Which elements should be presented 1st?
- Start with the Atmosphere.
- Display the Forms, the Climate & the dominant Colors.
- Then present 5 to 10 Core Locations.
- They should be at least named by the end of 3rd of the Story.
- They should be & don’t have to be visited.
- Where should the Characters begin?
- There are 4 possibilities.
- It can be a Safe & Known Location.
- It can be a Safe & Unknown Location.
- It can be an Unsafe & Known Location.
- It can be an Unsafe & Unknown Location.
- Any of those can be selected for the 1st encounter with each Character.
- How can you make a location Safe whilst being Unknown?
- Familiarity with an Unknown location can be created through Supportive Characters.
- It can be created through familiar Symbols.
- As well as familiar Rules.
If you want to know more about Discovery & Immersion.
The Journey
- Which places should the Characters visit?
- There are 5 types of Essential locations :
- Landmarks – Parks, Monuments & other essential buildings.
- Palaces & Headquarters.
- General Stores & Markets.
- Accommodations – Inns, Hotels & Apartments/Houses.
- Stations.
- Each of these location is essential in the World’s functioning.
- What’s the difference between Core & Essential Locations?
- A Core Location is Story-related.
- A Core Location is where the Story happens.
- Each Chapter will have a Core location.
- Your Story will only have 5-10 Core locations.
- An Essential Location is Environment-related.
- Essential Locations are essential in the World.
- They support its inhabitants’ lives.
- If your World is large you may have dozens of Essential locations.
- How should the Team form?
- A Team is easier to manage if fully formed before the 1st half of the Story.
- Each Character should be introduced through a new Environment.
- Related to her Goal.
- The formation of the Team is bound to the Journey.
- The Team mates are bound by their Will of Escapism.
- How to make use of Symbols?
- Symbols define your Fable.
- They bring Structure to the Fable.
- There could be 1 Symbol for each of the Main Themes.
- The Fable could be focused on 1 main Symbol.
- 1 Symbol expressing each of the Main Themes.
- Symbols create Anticipation.
- Anticipation creates Involvement.
- Characters gather around Symbols.
- And as the Public get attached to the characters.
- They subsequently gather around them too.
If you want to know more about Journeys.
The Threat
- What makes an Antagonist?
- The Threat is an Antagonist.
- Therefore she should be Adversarial.
- She will Assault the Characters.
- Whichever the reason.
- Whichever the means.
- She will hinder them.
- How should the 1st Crisis happen?
- The 1st Crisis should be a Dangerous Situation.
- The Stakes should be High.
- It should be Painful.
- The Outcome should be a Clear Loss.
- What could be the Relationship between the Threat & the Characters?
- There are 4 main types of Relationships:
- Friends
- Allies
- Opponents
- Foes
- Any of these relationship create a different type of Involvement.
- Use each of them to create diversity.
- If it especially useful if you plan to create a Series.
- How is the Threat Symbolized?
- Grant the Threat a Symbol.
- A simple & clear Symbol.
- A flag, a song, a unique Accessory.
- This Symbol should express a form of aggressiveness.
- A form of obnoxiousness.
- It should represent Hindrance.
- And you define why it is hindering.
If you want to know more about Antagonists.
The Menace
- How should the Characters interact with the Menace?
- The Crisis involving the Menace should be harsher than the Crisis involving the Threat.
- The introduction of the Menace may be the Threat’s demise.
- This Crisis should deepen Immersion.
- It should create stark Consequences.
- And conclude in Fear, Anger or Sadness.
- What could be the Relationship between the Threat & the Menace?
- They can be Friends, Allies, Opponents or Foes.
- Creating an intricate relationship between the Threat & the Menace will deepen your Story.
- If you can make this relationship evolve thorough the Story, even better.
- If the relationship is revealed late in the Story, prepare this revelation.
- How should the Menace be Revealed?
- The Menace evolves through Crisis.
- She should be Revealed through a Crisis.
- Her Identity is most precious.
- She needs secrecy to create Danger in the early stages.
- She will still use Deception.
- Characters will continue to face Betrayal & Abuse because of her.
- How is the Menace Symbolized?
- The Menace, or the final Antagonist, should elicit a form of Admiration.
- The Menace is Heavy.
- She is Overwhelming.
- She may be Hidden.
- She may be Recurrent.
- And getting rid of her is an Eternal task.
- Look for a Symbol which represents Longevity, Propagation & Stability.
If you want to know more about Hidden Antagonists.