Skip to content

Using Reincorporation to Shape Your Story

Another tool for building your story.

David Gane
David Gane
1 min read

Not only is Keith Johnstone's use of reincorporation an excellent solution when you're stuck, but it also helps shape your story.

In his book Impro, he says that story can't be just a sequence of events. Those events must lead somewhere.

The trouble with such a sequence is that there's no place where it can stop, or rather, that I can stop anywhere; you are unconsciously waiting for another activity to start, not free association, but reincorporation.

For Johnstone, two processes are at play: Free association opens up your story, and reincorporation links elements together and completes the story.

Therefore, when building your story, consider these two questions:

  • Which characters, locations, props, dialogue, and events open up your story?
  • By revisiting these elements, how can it build out your story further?
  • Finally, can you reincorporate these elements to close out the various threads and find completion?
Blog

David Gane Twitter

Co-writer of the Shepherd and Wolfe young adult mysteries, the internationally award-winning series, and teacher of storytelling and screenwriting.

Comments


Related Posts

Members Public

What's it for?

Seth Godin recently asked two questions in a blog post: "Who's it for? What's it for?" When writing, do you know who it's for? It doesn't have to be an audience with a capital "A." It doesn't have to be for any audience; it can be for just you. But

Members Public

Journey with your characters

Most people can't have the whole story in their heads. Too many pieces, too many moving parts. That doesn't mean you must plan it out. Once your character's story takes shape, then begin. Allow yourself to be surprised and adapt, and let your imagination take you on a journey. That

Members Public

The lies our characters tell themselves

Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon tells the story of a priest and woodcutter trying to understand a murder by listening to the testimonies of the multiple people involved. Ultimately, they struggle to find the truth amongst the lies. A similar type of story occurs within each of us. We tell ourselves multiple