Lesson 9. A Plot or Not: Grammatical Stories │The Mechanics of Fiction Writing

Understanding the Concept of "Interest-Grabbing" in Storytelling

The Importance of Specific Language in Writing

• The speaker introduces a nuanced definition of storytelling, emphasizing the term "interest-grabbing" over simply "interesting."

• The choice of words is crucial; writers must not only catch but also hold the reader's interest, highlighting the need for precision in language.

Plot Elements and Their Role

• A well-formed plot is essential for both catching and keeping interest. The discussion will focus on structural models that define what constitutes a plot.

• An example scenario involving Ju-Bee, a chimp, illustrates how to create tension and engagement through narrative cues.

Engaging Readers Through Conflict

• Ju-Bee's predicament—starvation and harassment by other chimps—serves as a magnetic plot element that engages readers' emotions.

• The use of specific cues (e.g., "starving," "four days") creates an immediate sense of danger, establishing stakes within the narrative.

Recognizing Incomplete Narratives

• Despite engaging elements, the initial passage lacks action verbs in the present tense, rendering it incomplete as a story.

• This absence leads to an instinctual recognition that something is missing from the narrative structure.

Developing Story Dynamics

• In subsequent scenarios, Ju-Bee interacts with Sisco, introducing new dynamics that make the story feel more complete and engaging.

Understanding Plot Structure in Storytelling

The Setup: Mace and Ju-Bee's Encounter

• Mace is depicted in a tree, displaying aggressive behavior while Sisco confronts Ju-Bee. The tension builds as other juveniles react with grunts and huffs.

• The narrator hints at the audience's expectations regarding the story's progression, suggesting that deviations from these cues could lead to dissatisfaction.

Authorial Control and Audience Expectations

• The author emphasizes their prerogative to alter plot directions unexpectedly, illustrating this with an absurd scenario involving Mace singing.

• A chaotic scene unfolds as Ug-o attempts to reach Ju-Bee during an attack, leading to a frenzied group dynamic characterized by fur and howling.

Ju-Bee’s Struggle for Survival

• Amidst the chaos, Ju-Bee experiences physical pain but remains determined. He feels isolated as others flee, highlighting his vulnerability.

• Ju-Bee makes a desperate attempt to climb a banana tree despite his injuries, symbolizing resilience in the face of adversity.

Narrative Tension and Resolution

• The narrative reflects on realism versus storytelling; while some may critique its authenticity regarding primate behavior, it still engages readers emotionally.

• A complete plot requires three elements: an Introduced Plot Element (IPE), constraints on that cue (C), and a resolution (R). This structure is essential for maintaining suspense.

Complexity of Constraints in Storytelling

• The narrator explains that even if suspense builds through constraints, without resolution, the plot remains incomplete. Readers need closure on key questions posed by the IPE.

• It’s noted that resolutions can vary significantly from what characters or readers desire; however, they must relate back to the initial IPE for coherence.

Cognitive Complexity of Reading Cues

• Writing and interpreting narrative cues involves cognitive complexity. Understanding constraints requires deeper analysis beyond surface-level cues.

Is Ju-Bee's Action Kindness or Aggression?

Complexity of Behavior

• Ju-Bee's actions raise questions about whether they stem from kindness or aggression, highlighting the complexity of animal behavior.

• The ambiguity in Ju-Bee’s motivations suggests that his actions could embody multiple emotions and intentions beyond just two categories.

Impact on Plot Dynamics

• This moment significantly alters the narrative trajectory by eliminating scenarios where Ju-Bee is ignored by other chimps, thus constraining the plot.

• The relationship between Ju-Bee's state (starving and wounded) and the plot development remains uncertain but evidently influential.

Ju-Bee's Strategic Movements

Avoiding Conflict

• Ju-Bee walks away from the banana tree to evade Mace’s potential aggression, indicating a strategic decision to minimize risk.

• His action effectively closes off possible violent outcomes at that moment, thereby constraining future plot developments.

Shifting Story Dynamics

• Although grooming Sisco may not be a high-risk move like confronting Mace directly, it still shifts story dynamics and displeases antagonists Mace and Ug-o.

• If Ju-Bee had chosen to leave instead of approaching Sisco, it would have closed off various community-related outcomes for the chimps.

Constraints on Plot Development

Absence of External Happenings

• Unlike external events (e.g., a storm) that can constrain plots, this narrative lacks such happenings; thus, character decisions are pivotal in shaping outcomes.

Imaginary Scenarios

• A hypothetical scenario where bananas rain down illustrates how unlikely happenings could dramatically alter story dynamics but might lead to unsatisfying resolutions for readers.

Understanding Constraints: Setting and Time

Setting Limitations

• The physical setting restricts Ju-Bee’s options; he cannot eat bananas without climbing up to them due to their location being occupied by Mace.

Time as a Constraint

• The urgency of Ju-Bee needing food after four days emphasizes time as a constraint; readers understand he must act quickly before starvation sets in completely.

Understanding Story Rules and Constraints

The Importance of Story Rules

• Stories have inherent rules that, when broken, can disrupt the narrative flow. This is likened to a baseball player using their bat inappropriately after a hit.

• Readers come with assumptions about story elements, such as character abilities and physical laws, which must be respected for coherence.

• Fiction allows for creative liberties; however, readers expect consistency within the established world. For example, flying monkeys are acceptable if introduced properly.

Cognitive Mapping in Fiction

• Readers map their understanding of reality onto fictional worlds until told otherwise. A sudden introduction of fantastical elements can break immersion.

• Characters should be clearly defined from the start to avoid confusion; unexpected traits need early cues to maintain reader engagement.

Identifying Plot Issues

• Recognizing plot constraints helps identify potential issues: too few constraints may lead to an easy resolution while too many can result in implausible outcomes (e.g., "deus ex monkey machina").

• An incomplete plot arc or resolution without context leads to dissatisfaction; these elements must align for effective storytelling.

Pacing and Reader Engagement

• Writers must gauge pacing carefully; excessive poetic description risks losing reader interest despite its artistic value.

• Different readers have varying preferences—some favor action over description—which complicates pacing decisions.

The Art of Anticipation in Writing

• Understanding your audience is crucial; knowing what they expect from your text informs how you structure your narrative.

• Marie-Laure Ryan's analogy compares suspense in stories to sports: both begin with open possibilities that narrow down as events unfold.

Building Suspense Through Constraints

• As a story progresses, introducing constraints heightens suspense by limiting possible outcomes until a climax is reached.