The hottest Narrative structure Substack posts right now

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Disfiguring the Fallow Earth

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
📚 Literature Classical Studies Criticism Themes Characters Narrative structure
  1. The final book of the Iliad, Book 24, ties up major tensions, transitions between the living and dead worlds, and revisits themes like reciprocity and mourning, notably in the meeting of Priam and Achilles.
  2. Zeus serves as a figure of justice in Book 24, intervening to settle the dispute between gods over giving Hektor a proper burial; this showcases a different approach to politics and the separation between mortals and gods.
  3. The opening scene of Iliad 24 sets the stage for the return of Hektor's body by emphasizing the importance of divine intervention and the resolution of conflicts, presenting Zeus as a symbol of ethical thinking and justice.

The Gamemaster's Anger and Fear

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
📚 Literature Classic literature Mythology Narrative structure Character analysis Narrative Techniques
  1. The encounter between Achilles and Aeneas in the Iliad showcases a complex interplay of heroic motifs and meta-moments, inviting audience engagement in different narrative levels.
  2. The use of 'pivotal contrafactuals' in the text creates tension and deviation from traditional narratives, allowing for exploration of alternative outcomes that challenge the epic tradition.
  3. The divine intervention in the narrative, such as Poseidon's interference to save Aeneas, highlights themes of fate, emotion, and the role of gods as game masters shaping the story.

The Personal Political

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
📚 Literature Epic Characters Narrative structure Political Dynamics
  1. In the Iliad, the assembly of Trojans in book 18 highlights the tension between individual heroism and collective decision-making.
  2. The conflict between Polydamas and Hektor showcases different forms of political authority in ancient Troy.
  3. Hektor's rejection of Polydamas' advice reflects a blend of uncertainty, delusion, and leadership, revealing the complexities of political dynamics in the epic.

Epic Narratives and their Local Sidekicks

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
📚 Literature Classics Mythology Narrative structure Ancient Texts
  1. Book 13 of the Iliad showcases lesser-known Homeric heroes like Idomeneus and Meriones, echoing the heroic pairs of other epics, highlighting the importance of these relationships in narrative structures.
  2. The pairing of heroes and their sidekicks allows audiences to see heroes in friendships, possibly providing commentary on characters who lack such relationships, like Hektor, showcasing a social and political deprivation.
  3. The rise of Idomeneus in Book 13 integrates Cretan myths into the Homeric narrative, demonstrating the Homeric strategy of incorporating local traditions and narrative patterns into epic storytelling.
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Meander, Spiral, Explode

lifeboat • 157 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
📚 Literature Writing Narrative structure Memoir
  1. Writing doesn't always need a linear narrative arc; explore different structures like meanders and spirals.
  2. Finding patterns and modulations in writing can help with structuring, instead of just plotting timelines.
  3. Consider visualizing your writing as a river, tree, or collage of colors for a more artistic and patterned approach.

The Web of Story

David Friedman’s Substack • 8 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
📚 Literature Character development Narrative structure
  1. Discovering and enjoying stories on Glowfic involves finding favorite authors and completed threads.
  2. The stories on Glowfic present different versions of the same plotline, showcasing characters in varying roles and circumstances.
  3. Glowfic narratives offer a unique web of interconnected stories, created collaboratively by multiple authors inspired by role-playing games.

Structure and Stories

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
📚 Literature Themes Narrative structure Character analysis Mythology Interpretation
  1. Book 6 of the Iliad is carefully structured and dynamic, offering a rare view into the city of Troy and the voices of its women, crucial for understanding the epic's world.
  2. The interlocking themes and structures in Book 6 effectively anticipate future events, like Glaukos and Diomedes' exchange foreshadowing later narratives and interactions.
  3. The detailed 'obituaries' of named characters in Book 6, especially the Trojan dead, not only magnify the accomplishments of the heroes but also integrate local traditions into the Homeric narrative.

Prosaic Enjambment

The Elbow • 39 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
📚 Literature Poetry Prose Narrative structure Semantics
  1. Enjambment is a technique in writing where a thought is split between lines or structural units for reading flow.
  2. Enjambment is not only found in poetry, but also in other mediums like film and music, enhancing the flow of storytelling.
  3. Enjambment can be applied in non-poetic writing, such as prose, by strategically breaking up paragraphs or sentences to create suspense and flow.