There are two layers to great storytelling, the immediate, enjoyable layer
The Enjoyable Layer
The first layer is ‘the great story’-layer. This layer aims at engaging you, entertaining you, and luring you in to want to know more.
This is where you follow and appreciate the unfolding of the plot as it occurs.
If you have ever read a book that you just could not put down or seen a movie that was over in the blink of an eye, it was because it mastered the art of the great story.
To master this layer, the storyteller must use the tricks and tools that let the listener dive into the world in which the story takes place in order to keep the listener in the flow of the story.
This is what makes a story enjoyable.
The Meaningful Layer
The second layer is ‘the great narrative’-layer. This layer aims at activating your mental muscles in order to interpret the story and draw out
This is where you continuously rediscover what you thought you knew about the story. You interpret the narrative. You discover new motivations of the characters. You reframe the significance of events. You reach meaningful verdicts.
If you have ever read a book or seen a movie several times without getting bored, it was because it mastered the art of the great narrative.
This layer requires the storyteller to craft a world of nuance and detail that transcends what is immediately apparent to the listener. A world abundant with meaning that does not hold any predetermined conclusions. Instead, it enlists the reader to actively co-create the value and infer the meaning of the story.
This process is comprehensive, challenging, and mentally rewarding. That is why this layer is appreciated in hindsight.
This is what makes a story substantial.
Magical Synergy
When the two layers are combined into a concatenation of emotionally engaging and thought-provoking wonder, magic occurs.
Such stories take the listener on an enchanting journey which leaves them forever altered by the experience. Such stories are eloquent and inspire awe, which is why they become cultural monuments.
This is what makes a story a masterpiece.