Story Nerd

The Secret of Roan Inish: sweet but weak

Episode Summary

Frustration follows flaws! Can you create tension and conflict if the 4 Story questions haven’t been answered? The simple answer is “no”. I desperately wanted to love this movie because I’m writing a short story based on selkies. This is a sweet movie. It lacks some storytelling basics, which results in minimal tension and conflict. I know I’ve said it before, but learning from stories that don’t work is more valuable when you're learning to write. -M

Episode Notes

Frustration follows flaws! Can you create tension and conflict if the 4 Story questions haven’t been answered? The simple answer is “no”. I desperately wanted to love this movie because I’m writing a short story based on selkies. This is a sweet movie. It lacks some storytelling basics, which results in minimal tension and conflict. I know I’ve said it before, but learning from stories that don’t work is more valuable when you're learning to write.  -M

"Conflict relies on tension to make readers want to know what happens." Janice Hardy

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