E46: Lore vs Story: Solving The Ancient Argument

Author: Tim Mcburnie
Published: Tue 03 Jun 2025
Episode Link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/ce64a1ab

Check out my Free Brainstorming Workshop: https://mightyartisan.com/worldbuilding Learn to silence your inner critic. Ignite creative ideas. And watch a live demo of these techniques in action.

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This is The Forty Sixth Episode of the Visual Scholar Podcast - With Tim Mcburnie.

Are you focusing too much on Lore or too much on Story?

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In this video, I break down one of the biggest challenges artists face when creating fantastical worlds: balancing lore-building with storytelling. After 20+ years as a professional artist, I've seen how easy it is to fall into either spending too much time developing intricate world details without purpose, or rushing into stories that lack depth and unique characteristics. The real magic happens when these two elements work together harmoniously.

I explore how effective lore provides coherency and limitations that actually enhance dramatic tension rather than restrict it. Whether it's how the Force works in Star Wars or magic functions in Harry Potter, these rules become essential plot points that drive character development and narrative arcs.

The best creative works use their unique world elements to create situations that couldn't exist any other way. When developing your own artistic projects, focus on creating environments, creatures, and systems that naturally generate dramatic tension and compelling character interactions. This approach will take your world-building to another level, making your stories resonate with audiences on a deeper level.

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CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro

01:35 Welcome

02:51 Preface

04:55 Why Is This An Important Discussion To Have?

10:29 What is "Lore"

17:43 What is 'Story'

22:58 The Power of Combining Lore and Story

28:11 The Analytical Takeaway

30:14 The Simple Takeaway

30:51 The Practical Takeaway

33:43 The Philosophical Takeaway

36:12 Out

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The Visual Scholar Podcast is designed to help you demystify the world of Art, Productivity, and Creativity. So you can get better faster, and enjoy your Art Journey.

We discuss Drawing, Painting, Illustration and Entertainment Design. Along with Productivity and Career Advice.

You Can Find The Visual Scholar Podcast In These Places:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-visual-scholar/id1678505411

Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6VbdwbiZqy8nqb90ruKQCX?si=21b9c1d02c85419f

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MightyArtisan

Show Homepage:

https://visualscholar.mightyartisan.com

Where To Find More About Tim Mcburnie:

Learn Drawing and Illustration at The Drawing Codex:

www.thedrawingcodex.com

Take Your Career and Productivity To The Next Level:

www.mightyartisan.com