Theme is a way of making a series of events which are personal to the protagonist universally relatable to a wide audience. In other words, one doesn’t have to live in a cupboard and be descended from …
Memoir
Rising Action | Definitions, Examples & Your Story Weapon
“Rising action” refers to the series of events that lead from a story’s inciting incident to the climax. In this article, we will examine Freytag’s pyramid of story structure, explore the importance …
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Inciting Incident | Definition, Examples & Your Secret Weapon
When it comes to storytelling, if a reader isn’t engaged within the first twenty or thirty pages, you run the risk of losing their attention and having them move on to something else. So, what …
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Falling Action | Definition, Examples & Your Secret Weapon
What happens after a story’s climactic moment? What comes after the protagonist wins the girl, or confronts the bully, or triumphs over evil? The best stories keep your readers (or audience) …
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Story: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Story is always a journey of self-discovery “The unexamined life is not worth living.” - Socrates Embarking on a creative endeavor, especially memoir writing, often brings forth a whirlwind of …
We Are All Connected
“No one is free until we are all free.”- Martin Luther King Jr. It is human nature to search for absolutes. Joe is a liar, while Helen is trustworthy. Abe is punctual, while Ruth is always late. …
Exploring the Dilemma
At the heart of every story lies a dilemma. It is not a question of whether or not your protagonist has a dilemma, but rather, how effectively you've explored it. By exploring your protagonist’s …
Never Give Up
I was a half decent 800-meter runner in high school, not great, but I ran with a lot of heart, and sometimes I placed near the front. It's a tough race, as it requires both speed and stamina. It is …
The Price of Joy is Grief
As human beings we tend to seek positive experiences, but as writers and storytellers we understand that the purpose of story is to reveal a transformation. Without suffering and ultimately surrender, …
A Spark of Madness: The Secret Ingredient to Creative Brilliance
"You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it." - Robin Williams In the realm of creativity, there's a hidden truth that many overlook: a touch of madness is not just …
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