The goal. Not the details.
Was watching Dead Zone’s behind-the-scene interview with Michael Piller and one remark he made lingered on.
"I want to know the goal of the story, not the details."
On Lloyd Segan’s blog, where he paid tribute to Michael, whom he calls "partner, mentor and cherished friend" he remembers Michael:
"Michael never wrote "bad guys" or "good guys." His villains always had redeeming qualities. And his heroes were never pure good: they were conflicted, troubled people who were in need of second chances."
"And his most well-known standard against which every piece of writing was to be measured: "What’s the story ABOUT?""
A look at the writers’ brief provides an interesting peek into how this guy structured his stories, and lends great insights about writing and storytelling.
I find this a deeply resonating view. Too often communication is lost amidst layers and layers of details. In movies and storytelling, details bog down the delivery of the message. In design and advertising, overcrafted details hampers initial communication objectives. In real life, squabbling over details is often the main cause of breakdowns in human relationships.
People are easily engrossed with details until they forget, cliched speaking, the big picture.
Amidst all the rushes and attempts to meet the never-ending demands of a daily life, I too, many times forget what life is about.
The big life story that is unfolding.
So, what’s the story ABOUT?
That, I am not sure.
(After a long night of preparing notes, a large cup of black coffee and 2 hours of lecture on grid systems, I have lost my voice and fallen sick again. That’s another little detail in life to document.)
