Tell me, Daugava!

21 suggestions how to tell an exciting story

By Kaspars Rūklis

#1 do not tell – show

Let us imagine the main character, situation, rise and fall of emotions, location.

Radio = media that enables your visualization.

#2 show a character/ hero

Show character/ hero that is easy to identify with (for the specific audience).

Be prepared = learn in advance all about your audience.

#3 make a tune

Make a tune and let the audience to imagine the story context.

Tell where and when it happens.

#4 create a mood

Create a mood. For a shorter stories use one mood. For the horror story is other mood, for informative story – completely different.

Think what your audience should feel.

#5 create an outline

Create the story outline with introduction, discussion (activities) and conclusion. Even if you want to break the usual standards outline is needed, because feeling of completeness is important for the audience.

Like in a literary composition – introduction, discussion and conclusion.

#6 alert the audience

References, hints or threads can attract interest and hold attention of the audience.

Involve your audience to participate in the above mentioned techniques.

#7 make realistic dialogues

People immediately lose attention if something sounds unnatural, inappropriate or awkward.

Advice is to read aloud dialogues to feel how they sound.

#8 involve senses

Music, pictures, sounds can help to create live and more comprehensible story. They can help to live the story and make it more entertaining.

Miau.

#9 create a conflict

What is the story conflict? Who is against who/ what? Why it happened? How the conflict will be resolved?

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#10 use archetypes

Hero story, journey description, “heart touching” story are close to people’s hearts. Use well known narratives in your stories!

#11 what is the view point?

Tell the story from the certain point of view. Will the story get more responsiveness, if it will be told from the child’s point of view?

#12 use tricks (“hooks”)

In the beginning of the story use tricks (“hooks”) that audience will “swallow” immediately.

#13 intriguing conclusion

Use intriguing conclusion for the story series.

This method is often and very successfully used in the TV series. Let the audience to want some more!

# 14 use single topic

Each story needs its own topic. If it is clear, story structure is more stable.

#15 make an interactive story

How to involve the audience? Traditionally or by using a technology?

Hear, see, try.

#16 visualize your story

We want not only to hear the story, but also to see it. It could be achieved with a splendid oral descriptions, video or pictures.

#17 use a dynamic character

Character is changing during the story. We like to see bad guys that become good or losers that finally gets lucky.

#18 use a static character

This character does not change his view in the result of conflict or other obstacles. It can help the story telling.

#19 elicit emotions

We want that story touches our hearts. What emotions your story should reveal and highlight?

#20 show a culmination

It is the story milestone. When is culmination of your story?

#21 give a solution

In the end of the story audience should feel satisfied. Even if the story will be continued. Conflict should be solved in the end of the story.

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