Writing Excuses 11.42: Elemental Drama as a Sub-Genre
Oct 16, 2016
Delve into the intricacies of elemental drama and character change. The hosts explore how personal growth shapes storytelling, contrasting it with traditional mysteries. Emotional stakes take center stage, illustrating the power of loss in engaging readers. Discover the deep connections readers form with characters, likened to loyalty to favorite coffee shops. The narrative of 'Ghost Talkers' is highlighted, showcasing unique themes from World War I. Insights into character development emphasize realism, internal struggles, and the balance with external challenges.
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Drama as Subgenre
- Drama, as a subgenre, focuses on character change.
- Stories lacking character change still succeed, like some Sherlock Holmes or James Bond stories.
Modern Sherlock
- Original Sherlock Holmes stories focused on mystery, not character change.
- Modern adaptations add drama by exploring his character traits and relationships.
Signaling Subgenre
- Signal drama as subgenre by introducing it after the main plot driver.
- If a dead body appears first, it signals mystery; character conflict introduced later becomes secondary.
