Tag: story structure

Why Choice—Not Talent—Drives Great Stories

I’d venture to say that 99% of life is choosing the least crappy decision out of a list of horrible options while gambling the fallout is something we can handle.

Ideally later.

Story Structure: Why Some Stories Fall Apart & Fail to Hook Readers

Story structure is a HUGE deal in all stories. The last couple of posts, I’ve mentioned memoirs and how they can utilize a variety of structures. This said, there are so many variegations for the memoir, that I just can’t do them all justice here. Since I am at least sharp enough to know when …

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Fiction Addiction: How Great Storytellers Put the “Meth” into “Method”

When your fiction is crafted properly, readers will beg for your book to end…and then be depressed when it finally does.

The Log-Line: Can You Pitch Your ENTIRE Story in ONE Sentence?

Today we’re going to chat about log-lines. Some of you might be wondering if I was trying to give you a heart attack with my title. Maybe you think this feat is impossible. AN ENTIRE NOVEL IN ONLY ONE SENTENCE? Maybe something simple, plebeian and commercially formulaic *flips hair* but ART cannot be forced into a …

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Problems: Great Dramatic Writing Draws Blood & Opens Psychic Wounds

Problems are the essential ingredient for all stories. All forms of dramatic writing balance on the fulcrum of problems. The more problems, the better. Small problems, big problems, complicated problems, imagined problems, ignored problems all make the human heart beat faster. Complication, quandaries, distress, doubt, obstacles and issues are all what make real life terrifying…and …

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