This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss the relationship between your plot and character arcs. We have a modern classic story (thanks to Kathryn’s little ones) to dissect, making this conversation grounded in examples. If you haven’t seen it, you may want to grab some popcorn and watch Finding Nemo! Though it’s definitely not required, because we got you covered with all the details you need to join this conversation at the Round Table.
VIDEO
AUDIO
SHOW NOTES
What we talked about:
Finding Nemo summary. (0:50)
How the character arc stands out in the plot of Finding Nemo. (2:05)
What is the theme of Finding Nemo? (3:50)
What would happen without the character arc change for Marlin? (5:06)
Why the character arc and evolution is so important? (6:35)
How important is the resolution part of scenes or plot arcs? (8:50)
How the character arc affected the plot arc of Finding Nemo. (11:39)
It’s about leaving our reader with something more. (17:30)
The power of coming full circle. (19:11)
Use these to dig into your own arcs. (20:42)
Why do these stories stick with us? (24:11)
LINKS
Get Alida’s Writing Tips here.
Things we mentioned:
Finding Nemo
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Sleeping Beauty
Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group.
Do you enjoy the show?
Do you learn something every week?
Do you feel like you have company on your writing journey?
About Your Hosts
Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning author with an MFA from Hamline University. She pursues her fervor for all things story as a writing coach, developmental editor, and teacher. Two of her short stories were nominated for the Pushcart Prize. She is the author of The Story Works Guide to Writing Fiction Series. Alida lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her Golden Retriever, Seva the Wonder Dog. She camps, bikes, and kayaks in her free time. Unless it’s winter, in which case she drinks chai by the fire. You can find more at www.alidawinternheimer.com.
Kathryn Arnold writes fantasy and anything else that sparks her creativity from her home in Kingston, Washington. She currently earns her living as an insurance underwriting assistant, where she also creates marketing and web copy. When not writing, she plays (and teaches) piano and keyboard in a band (or two), and is working on starting a ministry team with her husband. You can find Kathryn at www.skyfirewords.com.
Robert Scanlon was born in Australia, but whisked off to England when only a baby. After many years complaining about the weather, he did the sensible thing and moved back to Australia. Despite a career in the music industry, followed by decades teaching public speaking, Robert is an introvert who adores reading. Robert grew up on a diet of sci-fi masters, eventually discovering he had read the library’s entire science fiction section. Now he has to write his own. Robert is the author of Constellation, book one of the Blood Empire space opera series. Find out more at www.RobertScanlon.com
0 Comments