Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream: The Flow of the 6 Pillars of Storytelling

Great stories, much like rivers, flow in a sequence of interconnected stages—from their origin to their culmination. Understanding this flow not only clarifies how stories come together but also reveals why certain decisions must precede others. The framework of upstream, midstream, and downstream can help us map the natural order of storytelling. When paired with the 6 Pillars of Storytelling, this approach creates a system that ensures every narrative flows smoothly from foundation to delivery.

Here’s how it works.

Upstream: The Source of the Story

The upstream phase is the origin of your story. It focuses on the foundational decisions that define the emotional core, meaning, and trajectory of your narrative. Mistakes made here ripple downstream, compounding over time. It’s the most critical phase to get right because it shapes everything that follows.

Foundation: The 8 Universal Conflicts

• Why It’s Upstream: Every story begins with a problem—a conflict. The 8 Universal Conflicts (e.g., Threatened Existence, Life Unraveled, Ultimate Quest) are the ultimate starting point because they define the stakes and the driving force behind your story. Without conflict, there is no purpose, and without purpose, the story collapses before it begins.

1. Character

• Why It Comes First: Characters are the vessels through which the audience experiences conflict. They are the emotional anchor of your story, embodying the stakes and navigating the challenges. Placing character first ensures that all subsequent decisions—theme, plot, and beyond—serve the emotional journey and connect with your audience.

2. Theme

• Why It’s Next: Theme is the "why" behind your story. It’s the meaning your characters and conflicts uncover. By establishing theme early, you infuse your story with depth and ensure every decision aligns with the emotional experience you aim to create. Theme and character are intrinsically linked; characters reveal theme through their choices and transformations.

Midstream: The Structure of the Story

The midstream phase is where foundational ideas take form. Here, your upstream decisions are refined into actionable frameworks—structure, tone, and setting. This is the bridge between the abstract and the tangible.

3. Plot

• Why It Follows Theme: Plot is the "how" of storytelling. It’s the sequence of events and choices that drive your characters and reveal the theme. Plot exists to serve the conflict and character, ensuring the emotional and thematic core is expressed through action. Starting plot before defining characters or theme risks creating hollow, disconnected events.

4. Genre

• Why It Follows Plot: Genre is the framework that contextualizes your story’s tone, structure, and expectations. A romance plot unfolds differently than a thriller plot, even if both share a similar conflict. Defining genre after plot ensures the tone and structure align with the story’s purpose and message.

5. Worldbuilding

• Why It Comes After Genre: Worldbuilding is the environment in which your story unfolds. The conflict, characters, and genre shape it. For example, a science fiction story about survival will demand a vastly different world than a historical drama about forbidden love. By placing worldbuilding here, you ensure it enhances rather than overwhelms your story.

Downstream: The Delivery of the Story

The downstream phase is where the story reaches its final form. This is the execution point, where all upstream and midstream decisions are refined into the product that connects with the audience.

6. Medium

• Why It’s Last: Medium determines how your story is told—whether as a novel, film, game, or another format. Each medium has unique strengths: novels allow for deep introspection, films emphasize visuals and pacing, and games prioritize interactivity. Medium comes last because it adapts the story to its delivery method, amplifying the upstream and midstream elements without altering their essence.

Why This Order is the Most Efficient

This sequence—from the 8 Universal Conflicts to Medium—is designed to minimize inefficiency and wasted effort while maximizing clarity and emotional resonance.

1. Upstream Focus: The first pillars (Conflict, Character, Theme) establish the emotional core and narrative purpose. These foundational decisions lock in the direction of your story, making every subsequent choice easier and more coherent.

2. Midstream Focus: The middle pillars (Plot, Genre, Worldbuilding) refine the upstream ideas into actionable structures. They translate the abstract into the tangible, ensuring the story’s framework aligns with its emotional and thematic goals.

3. Downstream Focus: The final pillar (Medium) ensures the story reaches its audience in the most impactful way possible. By saving the medium for last, you adapt your story to the chosen format without compromising its core integrity.

A Flow That Respects the Natural Order of Storytelling

By following this upstream-to-downstream framework, you ensure that every decision in your storytelling process builds logically on the last. It’s a system that prioritizes clarity, coherence, and emotional resonance, allowing your story to flow naturally from its foundation to its final form. Whether you’re crafting an epic novel or a short film, this approach will help you navigate the complexities of storytelling with purpose and efficiency.