Unlocking the Power of a Story's Exterior Narrative: Tips and Techniques

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 20 June 2023 7 min read

A story's exterior narrative is the backbone of any great piece of writing. It's the world your characters inhabit and the events that unfold around them. To create a captivating story that readers can't put down, it's essential to focus on crafting an engaging exterior narrative. In this blog, we'll explore various tips and techniques to help you unlock the power of a story's exterior narrative.

Setting the Stage

When setting the stage for your story, there are two key aspects to consider: the setting and the location details. Both elements work together to create a vivid and immersive world for your characters and readers alike.

Choosing the Right Setting

When it comes to creating a story's exterior narrative, the setting plays a significant role. To choose the right setting for your story, consider the following:

Genre: Different genres often have specific settings that readers expect. For example, fantasy stories typically take place in magical realms, while mysteries may be set in dark, mysterious locales.
Character backgrounds: Your characters' histories and experiences can help inform the setting. A story about a sailor might take place near the sea, while a tale of a farmer could be set in a rural area.
Plot requirements: Certain settings lend themselves better to specific plotlines. A story about political intrigue might be best set in a bustling city, while a survival tale could take place in a remote wilderness.

Incorporating Location Details

Once you've chosen the right setting, it's time to bring it to life with location details. Here are some ways to make your setting feel more real and engaging:

Sensory descriptions: Use all five senses to paint a vivid picture of your setting. Describe sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures to immerse readers in your world.
Specific landmarks: Include unique and recognizable landmarks to help readers visualize your setting. A famous bridge, a towering tree, or a bustling marketplace can all serve to anchor your story in a specific place.
Real-world influences: Draw inspiration from real locations to create a sense of authenticity in your fictional world. For example, if your story takes place in a desert city, you might research historical desert cities to gather ideas for architecture, customs, and culture.

By thoughtfully choosing your setting and incorporating rich location details, you'll create a story's exterior narrative that not only supports your plot and characters but also captivates readers and draws them into your world.

Developing Strong Characters

Characters are at the heart of any unforgettable story, and a story's exterior narrative is the perfect backdrop for them to shine. To develop strong characters that your readers will connect with, focus on their traits, backstory, and how they drive the plot forward.

Character Traits and Backstory

Creating well-rounded and compelling characters involves developing their traits and backstory. Consider these elements when crafting your characters:

Personality: Give your characters distinct personalities that make them memorable and relatable. Consider their strengths, weaknesses, quirks, and values.
Backstory: Characters' past experiences shape who they are and how they react to the events in your story. Develop their history to inform their motivations and actions throughout the narrative.
Relationships: How your characters interact with one another can add depth and intrigue to your story. Consider how their relationships evolve, and how these connections influence their decisions and the plot.

Creating Character-Driven Plots

A story's exterior narrative is the ideal stage for your characters to drive the plot forward. Here are some tips to ensure your characters play an active role in shaping the story:

Goals and motivations: Establish clear goals and motivations for your characters that guide their actions and decisions. These objectives should be deeply rooted in their backstory and personality.
Conflict: Conflict is the engine that propels your story forward. Create internal and external conflicts that challenge your characters and force them to grow, learn, and adapt.
Character arcs: Develop meaningful character arcs that showcase growth and change throughout the story. By the end of the narrative, your characters should have evolved in response to the challenges they've faced.

By creating strong, dynamic characters who actively shape your story's exterior narrative, you'll craft a captivating and engaging tale that readers will be eager to follow.

Mastering the Art of Description

Descriptive writing is vital for bringing your story's exterior narrative to life. By painting vivid images in your readers' minds, you help them become immersed in your story. Let's explore some techniques to master the art of description.

Show, Don't Tell

One of the most important pieces of advice for descriptive writing is to "show, don't tell." Instead of simply stating information, use details and examples that let readers draw their own conclusions. Here's how:

Use sensory details: Engage your readers' senses by describing sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures in your story's exterior narrative.
Be specific: Choose precise words and phrases that create a clear image in your readers' minds. For example, instead of saying "it was a beautiful day," describe the warmth of the sun, the gentle breeze, and the vibrant colors of the sky.
Focus on emotions: Convey your characters' feelings through their actions, expressions, and body language, rather than simply stating how they feel.

Using Figurative Language

Figurative language can enhance your descriptions by adding depth and nuance to your story's exterior narrative. Consider incorporating these techniques:

Similes and metaphors: Similes and metaphors compare two seemingly unrelated things to create striking imagery. For example, "Her eyes sparkled like stars" or "His anger was a raging storm."
Personification: Give human qualities to non-human things, making your descriptions more relatable and engaging. For example, "The trees whispered secrets as the wind rustled their leaves."
Hyperbole: Use exaggeration to emphasize a point or create a memorable image. For example, "He was so hungry, he could eat a horse."

By mastering the art of description, you'll vividly portray your story's exterior narrative, captivating your readers and transporting them into the world you've created.

Exploring Themes and Symbols

Themes and symbols are the backbone of your story's exterior narrative, adding depth and meaning to your characters, plot, and setting. Let's dive into how you can effectively explore themes and weave in symbols throughout your story.

Identifying Core Themes

Themes are the central ideas that your story revolves around, helping to connect your characters, setting, and plot. Here are some tips for identifying core themes:

Reflect on your story's message: What message or lesson do you want your readers to take away from your story? This can be a great starting point for identifying your story's main theme.
Examine your characters: What challenges do your characters face, and how do they grow as a result? These character arcs can help you uncover the themes that drive your story's exterior narrative.
Consider common themes: Some themes are universal, such as love, friendship, or the struggle between good and evil. Look for these themes in your story and see how they resonate with your characters and plot.

Weaving in Symbolism

Symbols are objects, characters, or events that represent something more than their literal meaning, enriching your story's exterior narrative. Here's how to incorporate symbolism into your story:

Choose meaningful symbols: Select symbols that hold significance to your characters or relate to your story's themes. For example, a rose may symbolize love or beauty, while a storm could represent chaos or conflict.
Use symbolism subtly: Don't force symbolism into your story; let it develop naturally. Ensure that your symbols contribute to your story's plot and character development without overwhelming or distracting your readers.
Be consistent: Once you've introduced a symbol, use it consistently throughout your story to reinforce its meaning and significance to your readers.

By exploring themes and incorporating symbols, you'll create a rich, multi-layered exterior narrative that resonates with your readers and leaves a lasting impact.

Utilizing Subplots and Side Stories

Subplots and side stories are valuable tools for enriching your story's exterior narrative, adding depth and complexity to your main plot. Let's look at how you can effectively utilize subplots and side stories in your writing.

Adding Depth to the Main Plot

Subplots are secondary storylines that support and enhance your main plot. Here are some tips for adding depth to your main plot through subplots:

Introduce relatable conflicts: Use subplots to explore conflicts or challenges that your readers can relate to, making your story more engaging and emotionally resonant.
Develop secondary characters: Subplots can provide opportunities to flesh out secondary characters, revealing their motivations, desires, and relationships with other characters.
Connect subplots to the main plot: Ensure that your subplots complement and enhance your main plot. They should create tension, reveal information, or contribute to the overall theme of your story.

Interweaving Multiple Narratives

Side stories are smaller narratives that run parallel to the main plot, often featuring minor characters or exploring different settings. Here's how to interweave multiple narratives into your story:

Vary perspectives: Side stories can offer fresh perspectives by focusing on minor characters or events outside the main plot. This can make your story's exterior narrative more dynamic and engaging.
Expand your story's world: Use side stories to explore different locations, cultures, or time periods within your story's universe, adding depth and richness to your setting.
Link side stories to the main narrative: While side stories can operate independently, they should still connect to the main plot in meaningful ways, whether through shared themes, character relationships, or plot developments.

By skillfully utilizing subplots and side stories, you'll create a more immersive and captivating exterior narrative that will keep your readers hooked until the very end.

If you found this blog helpful and would like to delve deeper into the world of documentary filmmaking, we highly recommend checking out the workshop 'Treatment Writing For Documentaries' by Reshelshah. This workshop will provide you with invaluable tips and techniques on how to write compelling treatments for your documentaries, ensuring your projects stand out from the crowd.