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.