THE JOY OF HOLDING BACK:
THE EAST ASIAN FOUR-ACT STRUCTURE
with Henry Lien
Discussions in the West around diversity in the arts often focus on the identities of characters and creators. However, true diversity is about more than just plopping different faces into stories that are 100 percent Western in spirit; it can―and should―encompass diverse story structures. The workshop explores how storytelling staples in the West, such as the three-act structure, are far from universal. It introduces writers to the East Asian four-act story structure. Using practical tips, it teaches all writers, regardless of their own artistic or cultural background, how to inject freshness and surprise into their writing simply by embracing a different structure
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
HENRY LIEN
Henry Lien is a graduate of Brown University, UCLA School of Law, and Clarion West Writers’ Workshop. He is the author of the Peasprout Chen fantasy series and the non-fiction book Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird: The Art of Eastern Storytelling. His short fiction has appeared in publications including Asimov’s, Analog, and F&SF, and he is a four-time Nebula Award finalist. Henry also teaches for institutions including UCLA Extension, the University of Iowa, Clarion West, and Writing the Other and won the UCLA Extension Department of the Arts Outstanding Instructor of the Year Award. Henry has previously worked as an attorney and fine art dealer. Born in Taiwan, Henry currently lives in Hollywood, California. Hobbies include writing and performing campy anthems for his books and losing Nebula Awards.
HENRY'S NEW BOOK!
Discussions in the West around diversity in the arts often focus on the identities of characters and creators. Speculative fiction author and writing instructor Henry Lien makes the pathbreaking argument that diversity is about more than just plopping different faces into stories that are 100 percent Western in spirit; it can--and should--encompass diverse structures, themes, and values.
Using examples ranging from Parasite to The Thousand and One Nights to the Mario video game franchise, Lien shows how storytelling staples in the West, such as the three-act structure and themes of empowerment and change, are far from universal. He introduces the East Asian four-act structure (kishotenketsu), as well as circular and nested structures, and explains how Eastern value systems such as collectivism can dictate form. Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird is essential reading for any writer or reader who wants to broaden their understanding of how to tell a satisfying story.
Purchase Henry's books here:
Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird: The Art of Eastern Storytelling
Peasprout Chen: Future Legend of Skate and Sword
Peasprout Chen: Battle of Champions
The Magic Paintbrush and Other Enchanted Tales
