Once again time for an Extra. Following the pattern, we will explain a bit about content, rather than process. In the last Extra: What is a Story?, we talked about how to tell a story, mentioning that Transformation is an important aspect. This time we’re going to discuss how that transformation takes place.
Transformation is not only integral to any story, it is just about the only reason the story even exists. Initially, the Hero, in spite of trying to solve the problem, continues to fail, but in failing, learns something. Although disappointed, the Hero continues to strive forward, sometimes by Wit, piecing together the clues, sometimes by Grit, sticking to the job despite complications.
As the story progresses, the Hero is blocked from victory again and again, finally resulting in the highpoint of the story. It is at this point that the Hero comes to a realisation and makes a decision. This decision can’t be by chance or luck, nor one foisted upon him by his mentors (the Wise Answer-Giver can guide and direct but never actually do anything). The decision must come from the Hero’s own internal conversion.
This decision will change the Hero’s life, either by resolving a problem in the external world or by understanding an internal truth. In either case, it will reshape the Putty Person.
We know that readers will try to predict the ending, but in spite of doing so, they really want to be wrong. They find it so much more satisfying if the ending is unexpected yet still logical, following from what came before, obvious in hindsight, though not predictable.
The Transformation:
In the transformation, the Hero, as a caterpillar, enters the cocoon to emerge as a butterfly—becoming more mature, insightful, at peace. The Hero undergoes a Physical Renewal, a Psychological Understanding, an Emotional Healing, or a Spiritual Awakening.
OR the Hero dies in the cocoon, plunging into despair or even death, whether physical, psychological, emotional, or spiritual death.
BUT the Hero never returns as a caterpillar.
This transformation resolves the crisis introduced at the beginning of the story. The old ways are gone, never to return. The process of moving through the struggle has changed the Hero, giving a new and different life. This is the new normal, the new shape of the Putty Person, different from the beginning of the story. This is the whole reason for the story, and it has now happened.