Story Check Skill

Invocation Triggers

Apply this skill when:

• Evaluating a screenplay draft

• Identifying story weaknesses

• Preparing for rewrites

• Validating story fundamentals before submission

The 12 Story Questions

Here are twelve great questions you should ask yourself about your script/story while you are developing it. You should actually chart it out.

Question 1: Story Elements

What are the elements of my story?

• What is my story's concept?

• What genre is my story?

CONCEPT: ___________________________________ GENRE: ___________________________________

Question 2: Message

What do I want to say with my script or story?

• The state of the world?

• Relationships?

• Governments?

• Religions?

• Life in general?

• People?

THEME/MESSAGE: ___________________________________

Question 3: Audience Reaction

How will audiences or readers react to my story?

• Interesting?

• Believable? Is it a true story?

• Credible?

• Compelling?

Criterion Rating (1-5) Notes

Interesting

Believable

Credible

Compelling

Question 4: Beginning

Where does my story begin?

• What is the setup?

• Is the protagonist in a crisis?

• Have you established your world? The rules?

• The restrictions?

SETUP: ___________________________________ WORLD RULES: ___________________________________

Question 5: Ending

Where does my story end?

• What is the outcome or resolution? And why?

• Do you answer any and all questions presented?

• Did you fulfill the premise of the story?

RESOLUTION: ___________________________________ QUESTIONS ANSWERED: [ ] Yes [ ] Partial [ ] No PREMISE FULFILLED: [ ] Yes [ ] No

Question 6: Rising Tensions

Are there rising tensions?

• Are there surprises?

• How does the conflict escalate?

• Is there a climax?

SURPRISE COUNT: ___ ESCALATION PATTERN: ___________________________________ CLIMAX: ___________________________________

Question 7: Characters

Who are my characters?

• Are they likable?

• Interesting? Unique or different?

• Bigger than life?

• Will an audience care about them?

Character Likable Interesting Unique Care Factor

Question 8: Protagonist

What or who is my protagonist like?

• Can audiences empathize with them?

• What do they want?

• What are their goals in life? Needs?

• What's at stake for them?

• Are they tied to the problem they face?

• Are they in a position of no turning back?

EMPATHY: [ ] Strong [ ] Moderate [ ] Weak WANT: ___________________________________ NEED: ___________________________________ STAKES: ___________________________________ POINT OF NO RETURN: Page ___

Question 9: Motivation

What are my characters' motivations?

• Are these motivations shown?

• Justified or unjustified?

• Built into the story?

PROTAGONIST MOTIVATION: ___________________________________ SHOWN ON SCREEN: [ ] Yes [ ] No JUSTIFIED: [ ] Yes [ ] No BUILT INTO STORY: [ ] Yes [ ] No

Question 10: Antagonist

Who or what is the antagonist in my story?

• Why are they trying to stop your protagonist?

• Is the antagonist a worthy foe?

• What drives them?

• What do they want or need?

ANTAGONIST: ___________________________________ MOTIVATION: ___________________________________ WORTHY FOE: [ ] Yes [ ] No WANT: ___________________________________

Question 11: Over-Explanation

Do I over-explain my story?

• Is everything spelled out too clearly?

• Is the setup "messy" and too busy?

• Do events get explained or unfold dramatically?

• Do too many key events take place off screen?

Issue Present? Page(s)

Over-explanation

Messy setup

Told not shown

Key events off screen

Question 12: Believability

If my story and characters are fictitious, can I now believe that they are real?

BELIEVABILITY SCORE: ___/10 AREAS TO IMPROVE: ___________________________________

Story Check Summary Template

Story Check Summary: [TITLE]

PASS/FAIL Assessment

Critical Issues

Recommended Actions

Overall Assessment

[ ] Ready for submission [ ] Needs minor revisions [ ] Needs significant rewrite [ ] Fundamental story issues

Validation Checklist

• All 12 questions answered honestly

• Issues documented with specific page references

• Action items prioritized

• Overall assessment reflects reality