Make The Story Interesting

“The most important things to remember about back story are that(a) everyone has a history and (b) most of it isn’t very interesting.”

Stephen King, On Writing

I love this thought from Stephen King (and if you're a writer, you definitely need to read the entire book) because it details how to make a story fascinating. The advice is rich and challenging for anyone who is trying to make a point with words and gives a fascinating look "behind the curtain" of the writing craft.

The video below gives a similar insight. In a quick five minutes, the acclaimed filmmaker, Ken Burns, peels away a layer of storytelling which may be unnerving, but strikes me as true.

Burns outlines "uncommon" storytelling; how things get interesting when 1 + 1 = 3.  Burns argues in life the good guys have really serious flaws and the villains are very compelling.

He talks about manipulation and how we all subscribe to a specific narrative.

And finally, he gives the most unexpected and raw explanation about why he tells historical stories.

I hope you find it as fascinating as I.

I couldn't help but think about my narrative.

What did the video prompt in you?