Crafting Compelling Beats for Novice Writers

Creating an engaging story is a lot like painting a picture.

Each stroke or color contributes to the overall beauty and depth of the painting. Similarly, in storytelling, the "beat" is the smallest unit of dramatic action that moves the narrative forward. It's the heart and soul of a story, a rhythm that guides the audience through the narrative, heightening their engagement with the story and its characters.

Understanding and harnessing the power of beats is a key component of compelling storytelling.

Now let's take it one notch further.

Starting

Every story starts with its protagonist.

A relatable protagonist is the hook that makes readers care about the narrative. If the reader doesn't connect with the protagonist, they won't be captivated by the story that unfolds. Therefore, a fundamental understanding of beats is necessary. Beats act as the smallest unit of a story, the building blocks that create the narrative structure.

The five commandments - inciting incident, progressive complications, crisis, climax, and resolution - are the stages that constitute a beat, shaping the journey of the protagonist and the story.

An example of this is in Harry Potter - a relatable and likable protagonist from JK Rowling's popular series. The reader instantly connects with Harry's situation - an orphaned boy living in a cupboard under the stairs, mistreated by his relatives. This connection is the result of a well-defined beat and draws the reader into the narrative.

Understanding Beats

Beats are the energetic exchanges in a story with an input (inciting incident) and an output (climax).

A beat begins with an event that causes an imbalance (input), creating a need for an output (resolution). Imagine a beat as a color spectrum; the input is one color, and the resulting output is another. The transition from input to output is the journey the reader embarks on, creating engagement and anticipation.

A good example of a beat is the moment in "The Lion King" when Simba's father, Mufasa, dies. This event (input) creates an imbalance in Simba's life, leading him on a journey (output) to reclaim his rightful place as king.

Mapping the Five Commandments to Beats

The inciting incident acts as the input of a beat.

This incident disrupts the equilibrium and sets the protagonist on a path towards a new goal. Following this, a turning point might occur, leading to progressive complications and crisis. These elements build tension, leading to a climax - the output of a beat. The climax is the turning point of the narrative, a moment of high emotion and drama.

In "The Lord of the Rings," the inciting incident is when Frodo volunteers to destroy the ring (input). This leads to the progressive complications of the journey, the crisis of confronting Sauron, and finally, the climax of destroying the ring (output).

The Role of the Protagonist in Beats

The protagonist is the vessel through which the reader connects with the story.

The Story Grid's technical definition of a protagonist is the character who moves the story forward. They are the primary output of a beat, the person who reacts to the input (inciting incident) and navigates through complications to reach the output (climax). The reader empathizes with the protagonist, sharing their triumphs and failures, their hopes and fears.

Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" is an excellent example of a protagonist who drives the narrative. Forced into the games (input), Katniss navigates through numerous trials and tribulations, leading to her eventual victory (output).

Tips for Effective Beat Writing

The protagonist should, by default, be the output of most beats.

This allows for a cohesive and engaging narrative. However, there can be exceptions. Sometimes a supporting character or an event can serve as the output, adding unexpected twists and turns to the narrative. To enhance reader engagement and empathy for the protagonist, their emotions and reactions should be real and relatable. An engaging beat is not just about the action and events; it's about how the protagonist responds to these events, allowing the reader to share their emotional journey.

In "Star Wars," while Luke Skywalker is the primary output of most beats, the beat where Darth Vader reveals he is Luke's father serves as a powerful exception. This unexpected twist adds depth to the narrative and keeps the audience engaged.

Conclusion

Crafting compelling beats is an art that can transform simple stories into engaging narratives.

It's the pulse that keeps readers engaged, urging them to turn page after page. So, remember to focus on your protagonist, the beats, and the five commandments while crafting your story. The stakes are high; get it right, and you'll have your readers on the edge of their seats, eager for more.

Get out there and start crafting some unforgettable beats!

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