Two characters named Dennis the Menace were created independently the same day
smithsonianmag.com3 pointsby nobody_nothing0 comments
(a) A character who attempts to achieve a specific thing.
(b) A conflict standing in the way of that attempt.
(c) A conclusion to that conflict.
Together, these three things form a Simple Dramatic Unit. For example: (a) Sally tries to swim back to shore.
(b) But two shark fins emerge from the water.
(c) She gets pulled under.
Do you notice how, even though there's nothing particularly inventive or original about the above scene, you're leaning in a little? Wondering what happens next? That's the power of the Simple Dramatic Unit. - Stakes (Sally is a mother of two children, both on the beach that day.)
- Strong Characters (Sally is a risk-taker who feels a strong command over nature. Not once in her life has she ever feared the elements.)
- Theme ("Those who don't fear nature are all the more at its mercy.")
- Tone (Her children watch the shark attack from the shore with keen interest, but without alarm.)
- Style ("The beach was placid that day, the smell of salt rendered sweet in the humid air....")
- Originality (The shark fins aren't grey, but a fluorescent pink.)
- Etc, etc.
But all those things are secondary to the Simple Dramatic Unit. Master that first. It will serve as a very solid foundation for any type of story you want to tell.