Story Grid Writing Podcast Units of Story (beats, scenes, acts, etc)
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Jan 13, 2016 Dive into the essential units of storytelling, like beats, scenes, and acts, and discover their impact on narrative structure. Explore how beats shape characters and the interplay of subplots through engaging examples from films. Learn to master narrative structure with flexible outlining techniques and the significance of efficient storytelling. Uncover strategies to build suspense and ensure a compelling narrative drive. Trust your storytelling intuition while refining your craft, balancing instinct with narrative precision.
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Prioritize Scenes
- Focus on individual scenes to improve overall story structure.
- Well-crafted scenes make editing larger units like sequences and acts easier.
Understanding Beats
- Beats are small units within scenes where character behavior changes.
- Don't overthink beats while writing; focus on the five commandments of storytelling.
The Accidental Tourist Example
- In The Accidental Tourist, Anne Tyler uses the dog trainer as a narrative device.
- This forces the emotionally closed-off protagonist to engage and change.