We all have events in our lives that we call “learning experiences”. The more interesting (and less embarrassing) of these we call anecdotes or stories. I have a favorite personal story that dates back to my first year as a teacher. I had a decision to make about one of my Grade Two students. Let’s call him Gary.
All the evidence pointed in one direction. Despite my lack of experience and confidence I went with my gut and chose the other option. To my huge relief it turned out to be the right decision. My own confidence was boosted and, more important, Gary avoided being labeled a trouble maker throughout the rest of his school life.
Opinions vary a bit on how best to define story arc. For me it’s enough to say it goes from the situation or person as it/he/she is at the beginning to the condition they are in at the end of the story. The arc of a story takes in the change that happens in the story. You can have more than one change. The more changes, and the stronger the changes the intense the story becomes.
My story starts with me being faced with a rather difficult to handle boy and finishes where I choose to trust him in a situation where he could cause me problems if he let me down. Gary comes through for me and in that one action my confidence in my judgment is boosted and, even better, Gary proves he can be trusted and as a result he is well on his way to erasing his previous reputation. Two story arcs; two successes in one. Two people who have moved along a little in life.
Think back to the fairy stories. The farm boy struggles against all odds to marry the beautiful princess. He starts out poor and ends up rich and important. That’s the story arc. All that happens in between – that he must travel through a dark forest, beat the evil magician, complete three impossible tasks, and whatever other hoops he must jump through – all contribute to a strong story arc. If there are only gentle woodlands and easy tasks you have a weak story arc.
If your personal story or anecdote shows you have a lot at stake, the problem is a tough one and the result might be potentially either very satisfying or fairly disastrous, then you have a strong story arc. It’s simple enough but it carries a weight. You, the writer, have to make clear your situation to start with – whatever foible or weakness is in play, what external factors or characters may influence events and the importance of a good result.
It also means that any description should support or deepen the story. When the farm boy travels through the scary forest, don’t bother mentioning the pretty flowers along the path. Mention the darkness, the sighting of a bear or wolf and the brambles tripping him.
Look at your story. Has the main character moved or changed at all? Sometimes even the smallest change can only happen after a great struggle. Sometimes the change can be made humorous or dramatic. Your story arc is the package of your story. When you open it up for your listeners what wonderful events will they discover?
