“There’s something buried deep within our DNA as humans that makes us respond to certain types storytelling elements told in a certain order.” (Jessica Brody, Save the Cat! Writes a Novel)
Writing Exercise: The DNA of Storytelling
This exercise is designed to help writers explore storytelling elements that universally resonate with readers and practice structuring a scene to maximize emotional impact and engagement.
Techniques Illustrated by the Quotation
1. Universal Emotional Hooks: Capturing emotions and conflicts that resonate deeply with human experience, such as love, betrayal, fear, or hope.
2. Strategic Narrative Flow: Arranging storytelling elements (e.g., setup, tension, climax, resolution) to guide the reader’s emotional journey effectively.
3. Character-Driven Choices: Creating moments where a character’s actions or decisions reveal their inner life, making the story feel authentic and grounded.
Writing Prompt
Write a 500-word scene where a character confronts a decision that reveals their deepest fear or desire. Focus on:
1. The Setup: Begin with a situation that establishes the character’s emotional stakes and what they stand to lose or gain.
2. The Build-Up: Introduce a complication that intensifies their inner conflict. Use sensory details, subtext, and dialogue to show their struggle.
3. The Climax and Resolution: End with the character making a choice that reveals something deeply human—whether it’s vulnerability, strength, or contradiction. The outcome should leave the reader reflecting on the emotional truth of the scene.
Guidelines:
• Use a theme with universal resonance, such as loyalty, ambition, regret, or resilience.
• Ensure the scene has an emotional arc, moving the reader from tension to resolution.
• Prioritize vivid, sensory-driven writing over exposition.
Evaluation Criteria
Strong Responses:
• Emotional Resonance: The scene elicits a genuine emotional response through relatable stakes and authentic character reactions.
• Narrative Flow: The scene builds tension logically and effectively, culminating in a satisfying, impactful resolution.
• Character Depth: The protagonist’s choice feels motivated and reveals a meaningful aspect of their inner world.
• Subtlety and Showing: Emotions and stakes are conveyed through action, dialogue, and subtext, rather than overt explanation.
Weak Responses:
• Surface-Level Conflict: The central dilemma lacks depth or fails to engage the reader emotionally.
• Disjointed Structure: The scene lacks clear progression, tension, or resolution.
• Flat Characterization: The character’s actions feel arbitrary or disconnected from their internal motivations.
• Over-Exposition: The scene relies heavily on telling rather than showing emotions and stakes.
Follow-Up Questions for Revision
1. Does the scene open with a compelling emotional hook?
2. How does the structure of the scene build tension toward the character’s decision? Could the pacing be improved?
3. Is the character’s choice both inevitable and surprising? How does it reveal something universal and deeply human?
4. Are the emotions and stakes conveyed effectively through sensory detail, subtext, or dialogue?
5. How could the resolution more strongly impact the reader emotionally?
Recommended Reading
Excerpt from The Night Watch by Sarah Waters
• This novel’s non-linear structure exemplifies how emotional beats can resonate when revealed in the right order. A scene where a character faces a painful personal choice offers a masterclass in emotional resonance and subtext.
Suggested Timeline for a 2-Hour Writing Session
1. Brainstorming (10 minutes): Reflect on a personal or observed universal conflict to inspire your character’s dilemma. Jot down ideas for stakes and consequences.
2. Outlining (20 minutes): Plan your scene’s structure, focusing on the emotional arc and the progression of tension.
3. Writing (60 minutes): Draft the scene, paying close attention to emotional resonance and character-driven action.
4. Editing (30 minutes): Revise for clarity, depth, and impact. Replace exposition with vivid detail, and ensure the scene flows naturally toward its resolution.
This exercise encourages writers to tap into the universal elements of storytelling while honing their ability to create impactful, character-driven narratives.
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