Asking The Right Questions In A Story Meeting

If the room goes silent, know the right question to ask.

Returning from Disney Animation Television after another productive session planning future seasons, it struck me how universal narrative is to all of us. Throw out a question informed by Dramatica's understanding of story and suddenly a room silent with individual thought erupts into a collective brainstorm of creativity. Questions like:

• What is the central relationship of the season? (The Relationship Story Throughline)
• What is the nature of the relationship? (Contentious, friendly, or jealous)
• Is the relationship growing or dissolving? (Relationship Story Problem & Solution)
• What is the emotional state of the central character at the end of the story? (The Story Judgment)
• What is the nature of the central character's arc? (Main Character Resolve & Main Character Growth)
• What happens at the beginning, middle and end of the season? (Objective Story Transits)
• Did the characters achieve what they originally set out for? (Story Goal & Story Outcome)

Everyone intuitively understands narrative--they just need to be asked the right question to get the creativity flowing.