Episode description

A listener seeks writing advice. How can you motivate readers to engage with a story that has an unhappy ending? Additionally, Dave's new DogKickstarter.com, tips for responding to inquiries from "civilians," and the importance of personal branding when posting on social media.

Today's Show

• How to write an unhappy ending
• UPDATE: DogKickstarter.com
• Questions from civilians
• Posting politics on social media

Summary

In this conversation, Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar explore the importance of character wants and needs in storytelling, and how to create satisfying yet unhappy endings that resonate with audiences. In this conversation, Dave  and Brad discuss various narrative techniques in storytelling, particularly focusing on how to engage audiences through subverting expectations, making journeys worthwhile, and crafting satisfying character arcs. They also touch on the importance of unhappy endings that feel earned, using examples from popular films. Additionally, they share insights on Kickstarter strategies for comic artists, emphasizing the significance of tracking engagement and adapting to audience responses. In this conversation, Brad and Dave explore the complexities of social interactions, particularly in the context of pursuing creative careers. They discuss the importance of understanding the motivations behind casual conversations and the superficial nature of social niceties. The dialogue shifts to the challenges of engaging with audiences on social media, especially regarding political discourse, and the pitfalls of seeking validation through online engagement. They emphasize the value of building a passionate audience over merely chasing numbers, and the dangers of slacktivism, where social media activity gives a false sense of accomplishment without real-world impact.

Takeaways

• Writing a tragedy involves the same principles as other stories.
• Character Wants and Needs are crucial in storytelling.
• Foreshadowing can create a sense of inevitability in narratives.
• Emotional hooks are essential for audience engagement.
• Not all stories need a happy ending to be satisfying.
• Catharsis can come from tragic outcomes.
• Characters can have bittersweet endings that resonate emotionally.
• The choice of where to end a story defines its genre.  Cinematic guilty pleasures can be surprisingly engaging.
• Subverting audience expectations can enhance storytelling.
• The journey in a narrative is as important as the ending.
• Unhappy endings can be satisfying if they feel earned.
• Character arcs should lead to emotionally satisfying conclusions.
• Kickstarter strategies can significantly impact project success.
• Tracking engagement helps identify effective promotional channels.
• Building a narrative involves using the same principles for different outcomes.
• Friendship and collaboration can enhance creative projects.
• Understanding audience expectations is key to effective storytelling. You don't need to justify yourself to others.
• Most people are just trying to be polite.
• Engagement on social media doesn't always translate to meaningful connections.
• It's okay to keep conversations superficial with strangers.
• Building a passionate audience is more valuable than a large one.
• Political posts can alienate potential fans.
• Slacktivism can give a false sense of accomplishment.
• Focus on your brand and what you want to communicate.
• Real-world actions are more impactful than social media posts.
• Everyone is navigating life awkwardly, regardless of age.

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Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.