The Story Equation

Question 1

WHAT IS THE STORYTELLING SECRET?

Answer 1

Story is where humans go to download the software they need to be human.

Question 2

WHAT IS STORY? (X2)

Answer 2

1. Sequence of Events.
2. Character on an Internal & External Journey.

Question 3

DEFINITION OF NARRATIVE IMPERATIVE (NI)

Answer 3

How to be human & How to live a better life.

Question 4

WHAT ARE MOST STORIES ABOUT? (X3)

Answer 4

1. Journey from Emotional Slavery to Freedom
2. Family
3. Battles of Morals & Values

Question 5

WHAT IS THE AUDIENCE UNAWARE THEY WANT WHEN THE STORY FADES TO BLACK? (X3)

Answer 5

1. Free from Emotional Slavery
2. Poetic Justice
3. Narrative Imperative

Question 6

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO SUCCESS TRIANGLE?

Answer 6

Middle: CHOICE
Left: PASSION
Right: MASTERY
Bottom: WORK ETHIC

Question 7

WHAT IS THE STORY EQUATION? AND ACRONYMS

Answer 7

C + (APQ) + ED / S
C = Character
APQ = Active Physical Quest
ED = Emotional Desire
S = Stakes

Question 8

WHAT FACTORS MAKE UP A CHARACTER? (X3)

Answer 8

1. Physiology - Observable Physical Traits
2. Psychology - How they think and What they believe
3. Sociology - The environment, community, society, culture and family structure the character inhabits

Question 9

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF THE APQ?

Answer 9

The Main Character’s primary external goal.

Question 10

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE APQ?

Answer 10

An external crisis the Main Character attempts to solve that also compels them to confront their ED/G.

Question 11

WHAT ARE THE APQ’S OBJECTIVE FACTORS? (X4)

Answer 11

1. External
2. Only One
3. Succeeds or Fails
4. Active

Question 12

WHAT ARE THE APQ’S KEY CONNECTIONS? (X4)

Answer 12

1. Inciting Incident
2. Physical Stakes
3. APQ Climax
4. ED

Question 13

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF THE ED?

Answer 13

The primary internal journey the main character must complete to heal their inner wound and become emotionally free.

Question 14

WHAT IS THE ED’S FUNCTION?

Answer 14

Creates audience empathy towards the main character’s approach to heal heart and/or mind on their journey to emotional freedom.

Question 15

WHAT ARE THE ED’S OBJECTIVE FACTORS? (X4)

Answer 15

1. Internal
2. Heart and/or Mind
3. Only One
4. Succeeds or Fails

Question 16

WHAT ARE THE ED’S KEY CONNECTIONS? (X5)

Answer 16

1. Ghost
2. Emotional Stakes
3. Controlling Idea
4. Psychological Weakness
5. Moral Flaw

Question 17

WHAT ARE THE 2 TYPES OF STAKES?

Answer 17

1. Physical Stakes
2. Emotional Stakes

Question 18

WHAT ARE THE PHYSICAL STAKES? (X3)

Answer 18

1. Maimed / Crippled
2. Loss of Job, Money, Possessions
3. Death

Question 19

WHAT ARE THE EMOTIONAL STAKES?

Answer 19

1. Psychological Damage
2. Unrepairable Heart
3. Loss of Soul

Question 20

WHAT ARE THE WORST POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES IF THE APQ AND/OR ED FAIL?

Answer 20

1. DEATH
2. LOSS OF SOUL