Bonus: How To Write Scenes Like Rowling (An Interview With Savannah Gilbo & Abigail K. Perry)
Jul 25, 2024
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Join Savannah Gilbo and Abigail K. Perry as they discuss studying Harry Potter with Tim Grahl. They delve into J.K. Rowling's scene layering and stake-raising techniques, exploring crafting scenes in books, scene stakes evolution, and analyzing Diagon Alley scenes with valuable insights on character development and plot progression.
J.K. Rowling excels at layering scenes and increasing stakes gradually to engage readers.
Analyzing scenes from different perspectives and ensuring every element serves a purpose are vital for effective storytelling.
Deep dives
Analyzing Key Scenes in Harry Potter
The podcast discusses the importance of analyzing key scenes in storytelling, emphasizing understanding if scenes work, and how to revise or cut scenes effectively. The conversation includes strategies to view scenes from the reader's, character's, and author's perspectives, highlighting how these perspectives influence effective storytelling.
Plotting and Purpose in Storytelling
The episode delves into the significance of tight plotting and purpose in storytelling, challenging writers to ensure every element of a story serves a purpose. It explores the concept of using on the surface, above the surface, and below the surface perspectives to analyze scenes effectively, emphasizing the need for scenes to contribute meaningfully to character and plot development.
Evolving Stakes and Conflict in Storytelling
The podcast explores the evolution of stakes and conflict in storytelling, using Harry Potter's scenes, like Diagon Alley, to illustrate the progression from quieter stakes to heightened tension. It emphasizes how raising stakes gradually and complicating character goals can engage readers and enhance the narrative flow.
Value Shifts and Scene Analysis Techniques
The episode highlights the significance of value shifts from ignorance to knowledge in increasing danger within a story. It also discusses unique scene analysis techniques, encouraging writers to creatively approach scene structure and value shifts to enhance storytelling depth and engage readers effectively.
J.K. Rowling is the master of layering things within her scenes. She’s also fantastic at raising the stakes from scene to scene, too. But how does she do it
Tune into this episode to hear Abigail K. Perry and I talk to Tim Grahl (the CEO of Story Grid) about what it was like to study Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—what we learned from J.K. Rowling about writing scenes and so much more.
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