Writing a compelling and engaging story is a lot like telling a joke. Just as a joke follows a certain format, so does a story within a specific genre. Whether you’re penning a mystery, a romance, or a thriller, each genre comes with its own set of expectations, much like the setup, narrative, and punchline of a joke. Use genre expectations to add obligatory scenes that readers expect. This will boost your fiction story plotting and lead to a more satisfying and captivating reading experience.
Genre as the Setup
Imagine the setup of a knock-knock joke. You know it’s a knock-knock joke from the very start. Readers also expect certain elements when they pick up a specific genre of fiction. For example, in a romance novel, readers anticipate a budding love story and emotional tension. In a mystery, they look forward to a puzzle that needs solving. These genre-specific expectations serve as the setup for your story.
Just as the joke delivers on its initial setup, the writer must deliver on the genre expectations. For a romance, it’s about the growing connection between the protagonists. In a mystery, it’s the gradual revelation of clues and red herrings. This narrative is the heart of your story, where you dive deep into the genre’s conventions.
Obligatory Scenes
Shawn Coyne’s Story Grid goes into detail on the need for obligatory scenes: the key moments or elements that readers demand in their chosen genre. For example, a romantic genre story must have the ‘first kiss’ or ‘declaration of love’ scene, while a mystery genre story should include the ‘big reveal’ or ‘climactic confrontation.’ These scenes are the equivalent of the punchline in our joke analogy – they fulfill the reader’s expectations and provide satisfaction.
Tailoring Your Story
Understanding genre expectations doesn’t mean you have to stick to a rigid formula. It’s more like knowing the rules so you can cleverly break them when needed. Much like a skilled comedian knows how to tweak the standard knock-knock joke format for a fresh punchline, a writer can play with genre conventions to surprise and delight readers. The key is to know when and how to add your unique twist while still honoring the genre’s obligatory scenes.
By understanding genre expectations and incorporating obligatory scenes, you can craft stories that resonate with your readers. Embrace the “Knock-Knock Approach” to genre and create stories that leave your readers eagerly awaiting the next setup, narrative, and punchline.
Tim Kane
