Theme. Theme Statement. Moral Premise. Controlling Idea. Armature. There are lots of names for the tool we’re looking at today. And you should probably brace yourselves because the masters have a lot to say about it. What is a thematic premise? Christopher Vogler says, "a premise is a more developed articulation of ... theme, turning … Continue reading Thematic Premise: What is it?
Category: Monday Tool Day
Theme: What is it?
While studying theme (something like thirty masters' worth of info), I saw that the masters have a number of ways of defining theme, with the definitions ranging from one all-encompassing word to whole formulas that describe a story in a sort of theme-premise continuum. Originally I thought I'd combine all of these definitions into one master theme, … Continue reading Theme: What is it?
Stakes: So what? Who cares?
The masters agree: stories most often fail because the stakes aren't high enough. But there is plenty we can do to ensure lack of stakes doesn't happen to our stories. What are Stakes? Although many masters discuss them, only a few actually define stakes: For Karl Iglesias, "Stakes are what your character has to win or lose;" they "are … Continue reading Stakes: So what? Who cares?
Designing Principle: What is it?
This tool is really an opportunity. It’s a prompt to get you thinking about your story and about how you might tell your story in an original way. What is it? John Truby says that the designing principle is stated in one line and is the "overall strategy for how you will tell your story." … Continue reading Designing Principle: What is it?
The One-Line Synopsis: What is it and how do you write one?
Time to expand the concept into a one-line synopsis. Some people call this tool the logline or the one-liner, and lots of people also call it the premise. I was one of the premise people until I started digging into the tool and saw that a lot of people also use premise synonymously with theme … Continue reading The One-Line Synopsis: What is it and how do you write one?
Concept: What is it?
A look at how the masters of storytelling craft define "concept."
Writes With Tools 