The Big story and the Little story
Stories are made of change. Lots of little changes that add up to a bigger change. And change never happens in isolation
A pattern that repeats again and again in storytelling is often called the Big Story and the Little Story.
The Big Story is usually physical or political. An earthquake strikes. Or a war breaks out.
The Little Story is most often personal or social. A couple divorce. Or a rebellion begins.
Most good stories combine a Big Story and a Little Story. Here’s an easy example: Star Wars : A New Hope has a big story…the Rebel Alliance attempting to destroy the Death Star. And a little story…Luke Skywalker leaving his home and becoming a hero.
Your favourite story probably has a Big and a Small story. What are they?
The two stories are seperate. The Rebelion could be fighting the Death Star without Luke (although they might lose). Luke could have left home to go to the academy (but might not have been a hero). The Big Story and the Little Story create each other.
There’s a simple reason for this. Stories are made of change. Lots of little changes that add up to a bigger change. And change never happens in isolation. People don’t just become heroes on their own. They become heroes because they are swept into a war.
