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So the coolest thing that @sneaky1jinx and I found getting ready for our plotting episodes is a plot structure from Japan (similar ones in China & Korea) used mostly in slice of life called Kishotenketsu. It's a story structure without a driving conflict. (1/9)
Western storytelling is dependent on the conflict (sometimes upgraded to dramatic question) to give a sense of progress and and ending to storytelling, while Kishotenketsu uses "ten" or a shift, a kind of change in perspective (2/9)
(Note: most people translate "ten" as twist, but English already uses that word in the context of storytelling to mean a reversal/upheaval of expectations. It felt too jarring for how Kishotenketsu works. Translation is an art not a science 
So we went with shift) (3/9)
So we went with shift) (3/9)
The lack of conflict is why many westerners struggle with certain Japanese stories; we're set up to look for a conflict and its resolution and this structure is meant to illustrate a scene or moment and then shift perspective to give it more context and meaning (4/9)
I interrupt this thread to announce that two weeks ago when we looked, Kim and I found three English language Blog Posts and a Wikipedia entry and today when I was going to cite one I discovered DOZENS OF ARTICLES. Google search has betrayed me. (5/9)
What excites us about Kishotenketsu is that you can use it to better shape the non-encounter moments in your #TTRPG shopping, discussions with NPCs... There are a lot of moments that don't have a dramatic question but are required to play the game. (6/9)
It's a really fascinating way to approach story! Some recommended reading: https://stilleatingoranges.tumblr.com/post/25153960313/the-significance-of-plot-without-conflict which is one of the first and best explanations of Kishotenketsu we found. (we are not remotely experts on this, so reading people who are is important!) (7/9)
Or if you'd rather hear us talk about it: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4BBkJubwzYqgabLFOtxqVr?si=BoQjFiZ6QOO1unVb0cBD5g We contextualize Kishotenketsu with the three act and Heroes Journey/Harmonâs Story Circle, which might help you understand how it works and where it can be used! (8/9)
The Fudging Rolls four part series on plot is just getting started y'all, stay tuned! You can find part 1 now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Libsyn and http://fudgingrolls.wordpress.com (9/9)
