Simon T.’s Post

Every great story follows a secret blueprint. Used to tell tales from Shakespearean dramas to modern blockbusters. The Freytag’s Pyramid it's a timeless method of storytelling magic. It begins by setting the scene, introducing characters, and preparing the stage. Then, the plot thickens. Tension builds as we dive into the Rising Action. Challenges pile up, conflicts emerge. Characters face obstacles that test their strength. The story escalates, rushing toward the Climax—the turning point, the moment of highest tension, where everything is at stake. But what rises must fall. In the Falling Action, tension loosens, conflicts begin to resolve, and we move toward the end. Then comes the Denouement, here all questions are answered, and the story wraps up. Why does it work for most of Hollywood stories? Because it offers a proven structure that boosts the power and effect of any narrative. Why not use this blueprint to give your stories a solid structure and flow that captures your audience from start to finish? P.S. Want to create stories that stay with your audience? I’m here to help.

What does your character want? This fundamental question is the driving force behind every compelling novel. A character’s desires, goals, and motivations not only shape the events of the story but also propel the narrative forward. The pursuit of what they want—whether it’s love, justice, freedom, or self-discovery—creates the tension and momentum that keep readers engaged. When their motivations are clear and relatable, their journey becomes the foundation of a story that resonates deeply. By focusing on what your character wants most, you can craft a narrative with purpose, depth, and impact.

The timeless joy of reading Digging into the pages of a book is like embarking on an adventure without ever leaving the comfort of your chair. The joy of reading offers a person an escape from reality and into a world unimagined and characters unforgettable. One of the greatest pleasures of reading is the opportunity to explore diverse realms of knowledge and imagination. Whether you're getting into the ambiguous plots of a mystery novel, exploring the space in a science fiction epic, or getting in the shoes of a personality from history in a historical tale, there's a book for everyone’s whims and fancies. Moreover, reading is a form of mental exercise that stimulates creativity, critical thinking, and empathy. As you immerse yourself in the thoughts and emotions of characters, you gain insights into the human experience, broadening your perspective and fostering empathy for others.   But beyond its cognitive advantages, reading is simply fun. There's an unparalleled excitement in getting lost in an ever-absorbing story, eagerly turning pages to uncover the next twist or revelation. Whether you're curled up by the fireplace in a winter night or beating the heat under the summer sun, a good book has the power to captivate and entertain like few other modes of entertainment. In a world filled with distractions and constant sense of reality, the simple pleasure of getting lost in a good book remains timeless. So, pick up a novel, a biography, or a collection of poetry, and let the adventure lead you away from the mundane world to one made out of your imagination.

Every fictional character is based on people you know. Sometimes it’s conscious and sometimes it’s not. We draw from the world around us and that knowledge allows us to create art (all art forms) that allows us examine, understand, and share our unique world with others. My characters are LOOSELY inspired by real people, example ' First Dom' in my Bedtime Stories series. Inspiration is two people, I made into one character. I took the personality of one, and the other, a polo player. I call my characters Trauma characters meaning, I took the trauma (and depression I had been going through as a result from trauma events) and transferred the energy into the fictional characters. And now I have 2 characters that is part of my brand. The problem is, my devoted Salty Vixen fan aka my cyberstalker, who was leaving me nasty messages, thought it was about THEM. I have said many, many times it isn't them. It is 100% fictional. I notice many writers have to clarify this- ALL artists have to write " "This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental" #saltyvixen

PREFACE This novel invites you to wander through realms where reality bends to the whims of imagination and the ordinary gives way to the extraordinary. Within these pages, you will encounter heroes and heroines whose destinies are intertwined with the threads of magic and mystery. The journey ahead is as unpredictable as it is captivating. But before you delve into these adventures, it is important to remember that this is a realm of fiction. The landscapes you traverse and the beings you encounter are born not of history but of creativity. Names may evoke echoes of distant myths, and events may stir echoes of familiar tales, yet every word penned here is a testament to the power of storytelling. So, dear reader, let your mind unfurl its wings and soar with the characters across the skies of imagination. Embrace the wonder, savor the suspense, and cherish the moments of awe and revelation that await you. For in this realm of fantasy, where the lines between reality and illusion blur, lies the essence of storytelling—an invitation to explore the boundless realms of what could be. Welcome to a world where dreams are spun into words, and where every page turns the ordinary into the extraordinary. Aman Mahindroo

Here is the latest essay in our series, that explores the intersection of storytelling and modeling. Discover how creating unforgettable characters, often viewed as a purely creative endeavor, actually is an exercise in logic and the iterative application of causal reasoning. Delve into this essay to learn more. https://lnkd.in/e5TFjUh4 For context, you may revisit the preceding essays in this series: 1. The Art of Adaptation from Screenplays to Models. https://lnkd.in/e-SG92HU 2. The Subtlety of Falling Short. https://lnkd.in/eJ-jVSvc 3. The two selves. https://lnkd.in/eMjfjehz 4. Understanding p-hacking https://lnkd.in/en39dfzU #logic #mathematics #storytelling #experiments

Ever felt like, Damn, I can’t stop reading? And what makes your readers say that?? It's all about the narrative techniques. (Yes the narration) All you have to do is narrate your story so fucking good, that people can’t stop reading it. But don’t worry I’m here to tell you HOW. With the best examples possible. Check my carousel! - tl;dr - Show your readers, don't just tell them. - Use dialogue to reveal characters and advance the plot. - Foreshadow future events to build suspense. - Introduce conflict to drive your story. - Maintain a good pace to keep readers engaged. PS: Do you like reading stories? Which genre do you read the most?

What Stories Are We Telling Ourselves? We are architects of our realities, brick by brick constructing our lives with the stories we tell ourselves. Every thought, every belief, becomes a cornerstone in this intricate edifice. But what if the blueprints are flawed? What if the stories we've crafted are limiting us, rather than liberating us? We've all been the protagonist in our own narratives, shaping characters, plots, and endings. Some stories are empowering, filled with courage, resilience, and growth. Others, however, can be shadows, casting long and dark illusions of inadequacy and limitation. It's time to step back and examine the script we've been following. Are the characters we've created authentic, or are they merely echoes of someone else's story? Are the plots driving us forward, or keeping us trapped in endless loops of self-doubt? Perhaps it's time to rewrite the narrative. To introduce new characters, explore uncharted territories, and craft a story that aligns with our truest selves. Remember, every ending is also a beginning. The pen is in our hands. Let's write a story worth living. What stories are you telling yourself? Are they serving you well?

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿? 🐣 Should the story be born from the character? Or should the character be born from the story? It’s a classic riddle and an age-old question: Does the egg come from the chicken, or did the chicken exist before the egg? 🐣 In artistic matters, there are only truths countered by equally valid counter-truths. What works for one author will not work for another. Each writer has their method and creative compass. 🧭 👇🏻 Personally—and I emphasize this is purely my preference—I like to start with the character to create a story that will stem from their traits, challenges, weaknesses, or values. The character seems to offer more freedom to the mind than a pre-existing plot, which is difficult to escape. The plot has already laid its boundaries, making pushing beyond them difficult. The “character-first” approach allows me to craft a narrative that grows organically, unbound by a predetermined structure. ❌ However, this freedom only sometimes exists, particularly in true stories or historical films. The challenge is different when the plot is already defined by real-world events or history. Here, the story takes precedence. Hence, you have to create a character within the story's framework. However, even within these constraints, we can create. We can draw inspiration from history books, archives from INA, and real-life figures in the historical account while inventing new and unique traits for them. As Mark Twain famously said: "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story." This statement captures the essence of historical storytelling. Even when bound by facts, we can build characters with nuances, motivations, and conflicts that serve the drama while respecting the historical context.

Want to learn more about subgenres of speculative fiction? Check this out!