by Zena Dell Lowe @ZenaDellLowe
One thing about writing that doesn’t seem to get much attention is the fact that every story you tell is essentially a contract with your audience. From the very beginning, you are making a promise about what kind of experience they are in for and what they can expect you to deliver. To honor this contract and create a satisfying narrative that your readers will love, there are two crucial things you must do right away in the story: set appropriate expectations and establish your stylistic rights.
Setting Appropriate Expectations: Genre
Setting appropriate expectations from the get-go is crucial in terms of keeping your readers happy. This involves clearly defining the genre of your story and sticking to the rules and conventions that come with it. Think of the genre as the framework that guides your audience on what to expect emotionally and narratively. Your job is to know the rules and then deliver everything your audience expects.
For example, an action story often kicks off with a thrilling sequence that immediately gets the adrenaline pumping. This is what we expect when we pick up an action book or settle in for an action movie. Similarly, thrillers and mysteries usually start with a crime or a mysterious event that hooks us right away. Rom-coms follow the timeless pattern of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl. Westerns typically culminate in a showdown, etc. Your first duty is to know the rules of your genre and then deliver accordingly. If you start your story as a lighthearted comedy you don’t want to suddenly switch it into a psychological thriller halfway through or you will likely leave your readers feeling confused and betrayed.
This kind of genre switch can lead to frustration and a breakdown of trust. You don’t want your readers or viewers to feel like they were promised one experience and given another. That’s why it's so important to establish the right tone and genre from the very start and maintain consistency throughout your story.
Violating the Audience’s Trust
When a story veers off from its established genre, you violate your audience’s trust and alienate them from your story. For example, when “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” was initially in previews on Broadway, the show’s producers couldn’t figure out why the audience hated it. They brought in expert Stephen Harnack, who identified the problem: The opening number, “Love is in the Air,” promised a romantic frolic, but that’s not what the show proceeded to deliver. Indeed, the show was filled with bawdy jokes and slapstick humor, which violated expectations that had been set, leading to a disconnect with the audience. It wasn't until the opening number was changed to "Comedy Tonight" that the audience's expectations aligned with the show's actual content, turning it into a hit.
This is a powerful reminder of how crucial it is to set and meet genre expectations right from the beginning. Fulfilling audience expectations is key to their enjoyment and engagement with your story.
Establishing Your Stylistic Rights
In addition to setting expectations, it's important to establish your stylistic rights early on. These are the unique narrative techniques and elements that define your storytelling style. This could include breaking the fourth wall, using non-linear timelines, or incorporating fantastical elements. Whatever your stylistic choices, you need to introduce them at the very beginning so your audience understands and accepts them as part of the narrative world you've created.
Take Quentin Tarantino, for example. He establishes his stylistic right to have long, seemingly irrelevant dialogue exchanges right from the start. This becomes a signature element of his storytelling. Similarly, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” sets the stylistic tone by breaking the fourth wall, with Ferris speaking directly to the audience. This technique is used consistently throughout the film, making it an integral part of the narrative experience.
Examples of establishing unique narrative techniques in literature include novels like “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,” where the story is told entirely through letters. This is a stylistic right that the writer establishes immediately in the story, creating a narrative technique that is both engaging and immersive.
Introducing unique narrative techniques early on is what keeps your audience engaged. For instance, in novels like “Ender’s Game,” the use of cryptic dialogue exchanges at the beginning of each chapter sets a tone of mystery and intrigue. These exchanges only make sense at the end of the story. However, they were used from the very beginning, which created a sense of mystery and suspense throughout.
Clarifying the World’s Mythology
Part of establishing your stylistic rights involves clarifying the mythology of your world. This includes setting up the rules that your characters follow. For example, in “X-Men,” each mutant has unique powers that are clearly defined and demonstrated early on. This helps the audience understand what each character can and cannot do, maintaining consistency and believability throughout the story.
If you fail to establish these rules from the start, you risk losing your audience's trust. They need to understand the parameters of your world and what to expect from your characters. This is especially true in stories involving fantastical or supernatural elements. If a character suddenly exhibits a new power that wasn’t previously established, it can break the narrative flow and leave the audience feeling confused and cheated.
The Power of a Strong Beginning
The beginning of your story is your opportunity to set the stage and draw your audience in. By setting appropriate expectations and establishing your stylistic rights, you create a foundation of trust and engagement. Your audience knows what to expect and can fully immerse themselves in the world you've created.
Remember, your story is a contract with your audience. Honor that contract by clearly defining your genre and sticking to its conventions. Establish your stylistic rights early and maintain consistency throughout. By doing so, you’ll create a compelling and satisfying narrative that resonates with your audience and keeps them coming back for more.
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To find out more about Zena or her current courses and projects, check out her websites at WWW.MISSIONRANCHFILMS.COM and WWW.THESTORYTELLERSMISSION.COM
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