Art of Story: Recent Episodes
Stuart J. Tanner
What are the essential elements of a story? How do the elements of story, such as character, plot, dialogue, and setting, work together to deliver a compelling and meaningful experience for a reader or audience? Art of Story explains what a writer needs to know and why they need to know it.
Transformation is the inner aspect of story. A main character face challenges, and in order to meet these challenges, they need to change. In this episode of Art of Story, we examine the transformation arc of a main character and its vital role in story.
The protagonist is the main character, or the central figure in the story. Almost without exception, the protagonist will go through some process of change or transformation. How and why this happens is revealed in the story. The antagonist is the character in opposition to the protagonist, and against whom they must contend. It’s this central opposition that gives the story its drama and dynamism.
Stories are much more than merely a list of events. They have far more to them than simply conveying what has happened. A story must communicate experience and understanding in a form that's meaningful and compelling for the reader or audience.