Streamlining Your Tale: Eliminate Superfluous Words for a More Powerful Narrative
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In the realm of storytelling, the art of character creation is a delicate balance. A well-crafted story is populated by characters who drive the conflict forward, while secondary characters can serve important functions such as providing comic relief, embodying themes, or giving depth to the protagonist's environment.
This balance is particularly evident in film adaptations, where the number of characters can significantly impact the narrative's clarity and accessibility. For instance, the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire trimmed several side characters from the Quidditch World Cup scenes, resulting in a faster, more focused narrative.
Similarly, in The Lord of the Rings, director Peter Jackson streamlined or merged certain minor characters from Tolkien's text to keep the story accessible for viewers. This practice is common in adaptations or complex narratives, with recent films following suit.
However, the decision to streamline or merge characters is not taken lightly. The author must make an executive decision about which characters are unnecessary based on the story's needs. Asking the question "Does this character advance the plot, theme, or protagonist's arc?" can help in determining a character's necessity. If characters do not serve the plot, theme, or protagonist's arc, they should be considered for cutting or combining.
This approach can sharpen narrative focus, create stronger arcs, and keep readers hooked. For example, the movie version of Seabiscuit removed characters who did not advance the plot, such as Charles Howard's additional children. If readers forget a character's name, that may signal they are unnecessary.
It's important to note that the number of characters in a story can vary greatly, from as few as three to as many as ninety-seven, depending on the story's needs. In epic fantasies, 50+ characters may be used, while tight thrillers may work with 5-7 characters.
Classic novels also demonstrate the importance of a focused cast. Pride and Prejudice maintains a tightly focused cast on the Bennets, Bingleys, and Darcys, with peripheral characters never overshadowing the main arc.
In conclusion, the art of streamlining characters is a crucial aspect of storytelling, whether in novels or film adaptations. It's good to be aware of how each character fits into the triangle of character roles that creates the plot, and keeping character types and roles in mind can guide the author in determining unnecessary characters. By focusing on the characters who drive the conflict forward, stories can become stronger, more memorable, and more engaging for audiences.
