In Robert McKee’s brilliant book on screenwriting entitled, Story, he outlines powerful proven writing principles and why they work in all genres. At the beginning of this fine work, McKee quotes Kenneth Burke as saying, “Stories are equipment for living.” This truth provides an unerring direction for how to apply the principles taught in Story.
“A rule says, 'You must do it this way.' A principle says, 'This works…and has through all remembered time.' These opening sentences pave the way for other even more enlightening truths. “Your work,” McKee continues, “needn’t be modeled after the ‘well-made’ play; rather, it must be well made within the principles that shape our art. Anxious, inexperienced writers obey rules. Rebellious unschooled writers break rules. Artists master the form...
“The archetypal story unearths a universally human experience…an archetypal story creates settings and characters so rare that our eyes feast on every detail, while its telling illuminates conflicts so true to humankind that it journeys from culture to culture…Stereotypical stories stay at home, archetypal stories travel…
“Once inside this alien world, we find ourselves…we discover our own humanity…We do not wish to escape life but to find life…Screen and prose writers create the same density of world, character and story…Story is about the realities, not the mysteries, of writing.”
If these wise sayings fascinate you, buy the book. There are many marvelous tomes delineating how to write a book, short story or screenplay. This is one of the most detailed and eloquent.
“On the screen there’s no place to hide,” McKee continues. “Story is about mastering the art, not second-guessing the marketplace…Rather than agonizing over the odds, put your energies into achieving excellence.”
Each writer has his or her own calling to fulfill. Knowing the principles of writing can help realize such fulfillment more quickly. Make your story brilliant by applying writing principles proven over time.
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