Writing Narratives

Writing Narratives guides viewers through the main points of writing good narratives: character development, hooking the reader, establishing tone and mood, crafting realistic dialogue, structuring a good plot, building tension, and devising a successful ending. The engaging young male narrator appears onscreen at a desk, in a café, on busy streets, and in various other locales as he observes and listens to people around him (possible characters!), jotting down ideas in a notebook while delivering core principles, such as the importance of creating believable figures (imperfections included) and delineating the motivation of the main protagonist (solving a crime, for example). He also offers helpful tips, such as differentiating the speaking style of various characters depending on age, education, profession, and life experiences (and suggests reading dialogue aloud to determine if it sounds right). Also covered are such subtleties as the difference between tone and mood, and their role in genres such as romance and horror. Viewers are advised to “read as a writer”—both good fiction and bad—to learn what works and what doesn't, and reminded to write simple, clear sentences that express only one key thought at a time. Presenting a surprisingly thorough overview compressed into a short program, this is highly recommended. [Note: the companion volume Elements of Narrative is also newly available.] Aud: J, H, C, P. (C. Block)