7 MORE writing techniques so good they should be Illegal

Summary

In this video, the creator shares seven essential storytelling techniques that can enhance any narrative, whether it’s for novels, screenplays, or casual storytelling. Techniques include creating immediate tension with a 'bear at the door,' understanding what triggers your character to 'pick up a gun,' and using 'casting shadows' to hint at underlying danger. The video also covers using 'delayed decoding' to surprise readers, employing 'call backs' for cohesion, applying 'tonal dissonance' for emotional impact, and ensuring key plot points are resolved, like asking 'what about the baby.' These techniques are designed to keep audiences engaged and deepen storytelling.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bear at the Door: Start each scene with a pressing, urgent problem that demands immediate attention from your characters. This heightens tension and engages readers. The 'bear' must be big and urgent.
• 😀 Pick Up a Gun: Understand what would push your character to take extreme actions, such as resorting to violence. Use this as a character-building tool to show their emotional limits and decisions.
• 😀 Casting Shadows: Introduce moments of happiness or peace but subtly hint that something bad is coming. This creates suspense and anticipation, making the reader eager to find out what will go wrong.
• 😀 Delayed Decoding: Have your characters misinterpret situations, leading to a delayed realization of the truth. This adds complexity and suspense to the narrative while developing character perspective.
• 😀 Call Back: Reference earlier moments or dialogue in your story to add resonance and emotional impact. It’s an effective way to tie together elements and remind readers of significant past events.
• 😀 Tonal Dissonance: Use contrasting tones for dramatic effect. For example, a breezy tone paired with serious or tragic subject matter can heighten the emotional impact and underscore thematic elements.
• 😀 What About the Baby?: Ensure that you resolve key plot points and unanswered questions by the end of the story. Readers expect closure, and leaving important threads unresolved can create frustration.
• 😀 Don't Forget to Raise Stakes: Linking multiple 'bear at the door' moments can help escalate the story, making each resolution lead to a bigger challenge or obstacle, maintaining constant tension.
• 😀 Emotional Triggers: Knowing your character’s emotional triggers, even if they’re unusual or unexpected, allows you to push them into intense, dramatic situations that feel authentic and compelling.
• 😀 Foreshadowing vs. Callbacks: While foreshadowing hints at what’s to come, callbacks reflect back on important past events. Don’t confuse the two, as they serve different narrative functions in your story.

Q & A

What is the 'Bear at the Door' technique in storytelling?

The 'Bear at the Door' technique involves introducing a major, pressing problem at the start of a scene that demands immediate attention. This problem must be urgent and significant, creating tension and driving the narrative forward.

What is the difference between 'Bear at the Door' and general storytelling problems?

'Bear at the Door' focuses on problems that need to be solved immediately, while general storytelling problems may not require an urgent resolution. For example, a character's unfulfilled love life doesn't demand an immediate solution, unlike a life-threatening situation.

How can the 'Pick Up a Gun' technique enhance a character's depth?

The 'Pick Up a Gun' technique explores what pushes a character to resort to violence, whether it's a small insult or a traumatic event. By understanding what triggers their action, writers can create more dramatic, complex moments in the story.

What is the role of 'Casting Shadows' in creating suspense in a story?

'Casting Shadows' involves creating a seemingly perfect or ideal situation that causes readers to anticipate something bad happening. It builds suspense by making readers wonder what lies beneath the surface, leading to deeper engagement with the story.

Can 'Casting Shadows' only be used at the beginning of a story?

No, 'Casting Shadows' can be used throughout the story. It can appear at the beginning to set up expectations or at the end to surprise the audience with an unexpected twist, such as in action films where a 'happy' ending suddenly takes a darker turn.

What is the concept of 'Delayed Decoding' and how does it create tension?

'Delayed Decoding' refers to moments when a character initially misinterprets a situation and only later realizes their mistake. This creates dramatic irony and tension, as readers are privy to information the character has yet to comprehend.

How does 'Delayed Decoding' contribute to character development?

'Delayed Decoding' can reveal a character's internal desires or biases. For example, a character might think they see their ex-partner in a crowd, only to realize it’s a stranger, which highlights their emotional attachment and yearning.

What is the difference between 'Call Back' and 'Foreshadowing' in storytelling?

'Call Back' refers to revisiting a previous moment, phrase, or motif later in the story to evoke deeper meaning or humor. In contrast, 'Foreshadowing' hints at future events, preparing the reader for what's to come, whereas 'Call Back' looks backward to strengthen past themes.

How can tonal dissonance be used effectively in writing?

Tonal dissonance uses a contrast between the tone and subject matter, often creating irony or highlighting absurdity. For instance, a light-hearted tone about a serious topic like war can emphasize the senselessness of the situation, making it more impactful.

What is the significance of the 'What About the Baby?' technique?

'What About the Baby?' is about resolving key plot threads by the end of a story. If a major question or subplot is left unresolved (like 'what happened to the baby?'), it can frustrate readers. Ensuring that all important questions are answered leads to a more satisfying conclusion.