February 15, 2012 - The 10 Types of Stories

There are only 10 different variations of stories that can ever be told. It's kinda sad, but it also makes it pretty easy as a storyteller. Let's go through them.

1. Romance
This doesn't have to just be all Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. This category comes into play anytime two characters develop a relationship, lose each other, and reconnect. It can be between a boy and his alien, two buddy cops, or even Tom Hanks and his volcano.

That's the plot of the movie, right? Love heats up between Joe and  a volcano?

2. Success and Failure

"Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success." --Dale Carnegie

If a character is ever on top, but forgets what made them great, that's a success/failure story.

If a character gets too cocky and confident only to be humbled, that's a success/failure story.

It's a little bit of Wall Street and a little bit of Rudy.

"When I get a hold of the son of a bitch, I'm gonna tear his eyeballs out and suck his fucking skull." --Rudy Gekko

3. Cinderella

We all the know the story of Cinderella.

Cinderella, 

dressed in yella, 

went upstairs to kiss her fella. 

By mistake she kissed a snake, 

How many doctors did it take? 

1...2...3...4...

Anytime a story has one character enter a new social/geographic setting only to be thrust back into their own life, It's a Cinderella story.





4. Conversion

Religious Conversion is just one type.

5. Sacrifice

Also Goku

6. Family

If storytelling were pinball, this would be the multiball. These stories usually feature ensemble casts who each have their own little story that needs to be wrapped up. Also movies where the connections between characters is slowly revealed. It's called Hyperlink Cinema, and it has become very popular in today's culture. Think "Crazy, Stupid Love" or "Babel" or "Crash." These all fall under the family category.

Although, a "family." They are better suited at #9

7. Triangle

Usually a love triangle, but could be any situation where a character desired by both protag and antag betrays one, then another, then goes back to the original one. This "swing" character must be able to claim redemption  in order for the audience to be on board with the character.

Bridget Jones, for example, is completely irredeemable. She's judgmental  and mean-spirited and crass and slow-witted and man did I hate her character. Yet, she's got both Colin Firth and Hugh Grant going after her? Is there any justice at all? Ladies, please don't take relationship cues from Bridget Jones, seriously. Sorry for the caption rant.

8. Return

When a protagonist learns something  new about the world or himself, then brings it back to share with his contemporaries. I would also lump revenge movies into this category. Like in "Oldboy." Oh Dae-su is kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years. He then learns information about his captors and shares it with them . . .by killing them. Also, Count of Monte Cristo, Kill Bill, and the greatest revenge movie ever made.

Who knew the genre would peak in 1984?

9. Crime & Punishment

Why does people like crime and punishment stories? Because secretly we all want to be transgressive and law-breaking. Instead, we put forth that innate desire into watching characters do it. It's why we love "Dexter" or play video games like "Manhunt" or watch movies like "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" or "Man Bites Dog." We just love to see crimes (especially heists) pulled off successfully.

The only  crime here is making a third one. Hiyo!

10. Heroic

Finally, we wrap it up with the hero stories. The only thing we like seeing more than a villain is a hero. We love characters that can up-end Maslow's pyramid and take it upon themselves to save the day. It doesn't just  mean superheroes. It could be police officers or father or mothers or anybody who shows heroic encourage.

It could even be Nic Cage as a bad lieutenant. Barely, though.

And that's the only types of stories there will ever be. Go ahead. Try to think of some more. . . You can't, can you? Oh well, hope you enjoyed the rundown anyway. Also, as a note. These types of stories are true of any medium, not just movies. The only reason I reference movies is because that's what I know best, but these archetypes will appear in books, plays, and video games as well.