The Rolling Stone’s song ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want,’ is my earworm this season. This week, I started to pick apart how wants, needs and arcs are connected. Dorian Gray is a classic cautionary tale about selling your soul. Dorian arrives in London as a beautiful but naive young man and dies with a rotten and decrepit soul – he is unredeemable. Dorian gets what he wants, but he doesn’t get what he needs because there are no consequences for his actions. Understanding how wants, needs and character arcs is an essential story tool. Good exposition is invisible. Valerie highlights how exposition is masterfully delivered and where it fails. Exposition is all about information management – the what and the how. -M
(The following summary was generated by AI.)
Are you fascinated by the art of storytelling and character development? Do you find yourself captivated by the intricate dance between a character’s wants and needs? If so, our latest podcast episode is a must-listen for you! In this episode, we delve into the classic tale of Dorian Gray, a character whose journey from innocence to corruption serves as a cautionary tale about the pursuit of pleasure over wisdom. We explore how Dorian’s choices, influenced by the philosophical views of his friend Harry, lead him down a path of moral decay, all while his portrait absorbs the physical consequences of his actions. Our discussion begins with the importance of understanding storytelling principles and how other writers have applied these principles in their work. We break down Dorian Gray’s character arc, examining his transformation from an innocent young man to someone who is unforgivable and unredeemable. This analysis provides valuable insights into how to map out a character’s internal change—or lack thereof—throughout a story. One of the key takeaways from this episode is the significance of exposition in storytelling. Valerie Francis, a writer and literary editor, emphasizes that exposition is one of the most powerful tools in a writer’s toolbox, yet it is often misunderstood. She explains that exposition is the way we deliver facts to a reader or viewer, and it must be done in a way that is invisible to keep the audience engaged. We also discuss the role of internal and external conflict in shaping a character’s motivations and actions. Using examples from Dorian Gray, we illustrate how these conflicts drive the protagonist’s decisions and ultimately determine their fate. Melanie Hill, our co-host, highlights the binary choices that characters face—whether to pursue their wants and remain stunted or to choose their needs and grow. Throughout the episode, we provide practical tips for writers, such as how to identify the decisions your protagonist makes and track whether they bring them closer to their wants or needs. We also offer insights into how filmmakers use visual references to mark time and establish a timeline in their stories, techniques that novelists can adapt to their own work. By the end of the episode, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to create compelling character arcs and use exposition effectively in your storytelling. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable information that will help you elevate your writing and craft stories your readers will love. So, if you’re ready to unlock the secrets of storytelling and character development, tune in to our latest episode and join us on this literary journey. Your stories—and your readers—will thank you!