Laurie Clarcq – Feb 15, 2014
One thing that really helps me is to let go of the firm idea of three “locations” and think of stories in terms of “situations” instead. That will open up a world of possibilities that you might not have thought of before.
Using an oldie but goodie for TPRS teachers; John wants to buy a car. He goes to three different places to buy a car. How about if we switch “situation” for “location”?
There are lots of different “situations” that we can substitute here (hint, think Who, What, Where, When, Why, How..):
Where would be the traditional “location”: Chevy dealer, Ford dealer, Cars.com etc.
but…
Who ? Who could he go to in order to buy a car? He goes to ____,___,_____ (Beyonce, etc.)
When ? He goes on Wed, Thurs, Fri. He goes at 2 am, 4:37 pm, Midnight. He goes in Spring, Summer, Winter. He goes during a hurricane, a tornado, a blizzard…
Why ? He goes to buy a car because his is too small, too large, etc. His girlfriend likes blue, his next girlfriend likes red etc.
How? What was he wearing? like a rock star, like a rapper, like a country singer
How did he get to the car lot? In a bus, on a train, riding an elephant
How is he going to pay? with old clothes, with Girl Scout cookies, by dancing
So instead of going to THREE different places and having no luck, he may go three different days and have no luck, or to three different people and have no luck or on three different holidays and have no luck, or in three different types of transportation and have no luck, etc. etc.
This ONE change can open up a ton of possibilities. The more you practice with it, the easier it gets!!