Invisible Ink

1. Invisible Ink: The Hidden Elements of Storytelling

Invisible ink is the writing below the surface of the words. Most people will never see or notice it, but they will feel it.

The power of subtlety. Invisible ink refers to the underlying structure and techniques that make a story compelling without being overtly noticeable. It's the foundation that supports the visible elements of a story, like dialogue and action.

Impact on the audience. While readers or viewers may not consciously recognize these hidden elements, they significantly impact their emotional engagement and understanding of the story. Mastering invisible ink allows storytellers to create works that resonate deeply with their audience.

Examples of invisible ink:

• Character arcs
• Theme development
• Foreshadowing
• Subtext in dialogue
• Symbolic imagery

2. The Armature: Building Your Story's Foundation

Your armature is the foundation that holds up your story Everything hangs on top of it. Every decision you make should be based on the idea of dramatizing your armature idea.

Defining the armature. The armature is the central theme or message of your story. It's the core idea that you want to convey to your audience, serving as the backbone of your narrative.

Implementing the armature. Every element of your story should support and reinforce this central theme. Characters, plot points, and dialogue should all work together to illuminate your armature.

Examples of effective armatures:

• "Love conquers all" in Romeo and Juliet
• "Absolute power corrupts absolutely" in Animal Farm
• "The importance of family" in The Godfather

3. Ritual Pain: Transforming Characters Through Conflict

Apply enough pressure and heat to change a lump of coal into a diamond.

The necessity of conflict. Characters must face significant challenges and pain to grow and change. This "ritual pain" is essential for meaningful character development and engaging storytelling.

Types of ritual pain:

• Physical challenges
• Emotional turmoil
• Moral dilemmas
• Loss and sacrifice

Impact on character arc. By overcoming these obstacles, characters demonstrate growth and transformation, making their journey more compelling and relatable to the audience.

4. Telling the Truth: The Power of Authenticity in Fiction

The truth will always be sadder, happier, funnier, scarier, and more profound than the best lie.

Emotional resonance. Authentic storytelling, even in fictional settings, creates a stronger emotional connection with the audience. It taps into universal human experiences and emotions.

Avoiding clichés and stereotypes. Truth in storytelling means moving beyond predictable tropes and exploring the complexities of human nature and real-world situations.

Examples of truthful storytelling:

• Nuanced character motivations
• Realistic consequences for actions
• Honest portrayal of relationships and conflicts

5. Balancing Masculine and Feminine Elements in Storytelling

Things that affect a character physically are masculine and are visible ink. How he feels about them is feminine and invisible.

Defining masculine and feminine elements:

• Masculine: External actions, plot-driven events
• Feminine: Internal emotions, character development

Creating balance. A well-crafted story combines both masculine and feminine elements to create a rich, multidimensional narrative that appeals to a broad audience.

Impact on storytelling:

• Engaging both logic and emotion
• Creating well-rounded characters
• Appealing to diverse audience preferences

6. Superior Position: Engaging the Audience Through Knowledge

Superior position is when the audience knows something that the characters do not know.

Creating tension. Superior position allows the audience to anticipate events, creating suspense and emotional investment in the story.

Types of superior position:

• Dramatic irony
• Foreshadowing
• Multiple perspective narratives

Enhancing audience engagement. By giving the audience information that characters lack, storytellers can create a sense of involvement and anticipation that keeps viewers or readers invested in the narrative.

7. Dialogue: More Than Just Words on a Page

Dialogue is a tool, and just like any tool, you use it when you need it. It can be used to define your armature, give essential plot information, or reveal character. If it isn't doing that it isn't doing anything.

Purpose of dialogue. Effective dialogue serves multiple functions in storytelling, beyond simply conveying information between characters.

Key functions of dialogue:

• Revealing character traits and motivations
• Advancing the plot
• Reinforcing the story's theme
• Creating subtext and tension

Natural vs. stylized dialogue. While dialogue should sound natural, it should also be more purposeful and concise than real-life conversation, always serving the story's needs.

8. The Myth of Genre: Transcending Categories for Better Storytelling

Genre is irrelevant to the dramatist. A dramatist should only be concerned with drama.

Limitations of genre. Focusing too heavily on genre conventions can restrict creativity and lead to formulaic storytelling.

Universal storytelling principles. Great stories often transcend genre boundaries by focusing on universal themes and compelling character arcs.

Adapting across genres:

• Reimagining classic stories in new settings
• Combining elements from multiple genres
• Focusing on character and theme over genre tropes

9. Climax: The Culmination of Character Growth

A climax is the bringing together of the masculine and feminine elements that shows the character's change, or lack thereof.

Purpose of the climax. The climax serves as the ultimate test of a character's growth and transformation throughout the story.

Elements of an effective climax:

• High stakes situation
• Character's crucial decision
• Demonstration of change (or failure to change)
• Resolution of internal and external conflicts

Impact on the audience. A well-crafted climax provides emotional catharsis and a satisfying conclusion to the character's journey.

10. Crafting Supporting Plots to Reinforce Your Main Message

Everything should hang off the same armature.

Purpose of supporting plots. Rather than being separate "subplots," supporting plots should directly reinforce and illuminate the main story's theme and central message.

Integrating supporting plots:

• Parallel character arcs that reflect the protagonist's journey
• Exploring different facets of the main theme
• Providing contrast or complementary perspectives

Avoiding distractions. Supporting plots should enhance the main narrative, not detract from it or feel disconnected from the core story.

Last updated: September 5, 2024