Reorganizing Narratives with a Reflective Layout
In a captivating guest post, S.E. Jones, a writer and paramedic living in London, delves into the intricacies of storytelling and the significance of the mirror structure. Jones, who reads avidly when not working or on duty, is the author of this insightful article published on a writing-focused website.
The mirror structure in storytelling is a powerful technique that brings internal and external conflicts into alignment, ensuring that plots are completed, relationships are clarified, and narrative promises to the reader are fulfilled. This structure consists of three main points: finishing what you start, resolving relationship questions, and fulfilling promises made to the reader.
Finishing what one starts is crucial to a story's coherence. If a story begins as a mystery, it should end when the mystery is resolved, or if it starts as a romance, it should end when the romance ends. This technique ensures that each story starts and ends in a satisfying manner, providing closure to both the reader and the characters.
Resolving relationship questions is another essential aspect of the mirror structure. Using a mirror principle, writers align external events and interactions to mirror internal emotional or psychological states. This technique is particularly effective in the story's climax or resolution, where mirrored conflicts lead to clarity or change in relationships, providing emotional payoff and narrative closure.
Fulfilling promises made to the reader is the third pillar of the mirror structure. By ensuring that plot threads, character arcs, and thematic questions are answered, the mirror structure avoids loose ends and demonstrates that the writer honours the reader's investment in the story.
A scene or a story's major turning point might highlight an external obstacle or choice that mirrors the protagonist's internal flaw or fear without immediate resolution, forcing the character to confront this conflict—this is called a "mirror moment." Later, the resolution re-engages this mirror but shows growth or change, finishing the arc.
The mirror structure can also involve nonlinear narrative elements, where mirroring between past and present scenes deepens the reader's understanding of character motivations and plot resolutions, further reinforcing the story's closure.
In "Lord of the Rings," the relationship between Frodo and Gollum serves as a prime example of changing relationships, which start with discord, evolve over the course of the story, and are ultimately resolved. Golum stealing the ring from Frodo and falling into Mount Doom is another example of a changing relationship resolution. Sam and Gollum are examples of changing relationships for Frodo, as the interactions within these relationships change as the character changes. The culmination of relationship change can be seen in Sam dragging Frodo up the mountain.
It's important to note that a story can have multiple starts and ends, but each start should be resolved in the order it appears. In storytelling, it's crucial to keep promises made to the reader, especially regarding the promised elements of the story's genre and style of writing. Suspense can be present in a story, but if the main focus is on romance, it's better to resolve the suspense before or with the end of the romance.
The antagonist is another example of a changing relationship in storytelling. The antagonist's relationship with the main character starts when the antagonist seeks to prevent the main character from achieving their goal. This relationship ends when the main character achieves their goal despite the antagonist, or fails so badly that it seems they will not try again.
Window dressing relationships have roles within the story but don't change. They are important for showing different sides of a character and providing conflict. These relationships are essential to the overall narrative, even if they don't undergo significant change.
In conclusion, the mirror structure in storytelling is a powerful tool for ensuring that plots are completed, relationships are clarified, and narrative promises to the reader are fulfilled. By reflecting internal and external conflicts against each other, the mirror structure brings key themes and conflicts back into alignment at the story's conclusion, providing a satisfying and coherent narrative experience for readers.
[1] Source 1 [2] Source 2 [3] Source 3 [4] Source 4
Engaging in education-and-self-development through learning about storytelling techniques can greatly improve one's writing skills, especially when understanding the mirror structure. This intricate structure, as discussed in the article, ensures that stories are completed effectively, relationships are clarified, and promises made to the reader are fulfilled.
Applying the mirror structure in crafting stories allows writers to provide a satisfying and coherent narrative experience for readers, as it reflects internal and external conflicts against each other, bringing key themes and conflicts back into alignment at the story's conclusion. [Source 1] [2] [3] [4]
