Structurally, a dramatic opening functions as a hook. Emotionally, it needs to do more than just attract attention. When an...
“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” – W. Somerset Maugham There...
One structure model designed specifically for screenwriters is Blake Snyder’s “Save the Cat!” If you’ve been in one of my...
Hyperbole is how we speak when ordinary language isn’t big enough. Do you remember your first heartbreak? Even though you...
Do character arcs matter? Here’s an important lesson to remember: No matter how elaborate your plot is, if your reader...
Dorland Mountain Arts Colony is a tranquil retreat for writers, artists, and musicians in the mountains of Temecula, California. The...
With storytelling, if your reader isn’t engaged within the first few chapters, you run the risk of losing their attention....
What happens after a story’s climactic moment? What comes after the protagonist wins the girl, or defeats the bully, or...
Rising action refers to the series of events that lead from a story’s inciting incident to the climax. In this...
The climax. This is the moment your reader has been waiting for. They’ve spent hours immersed in your story, falling...
At the heart of every story lies a dilemma. It is not a question of whether or not your protagonist...
Theme is a way of making a series of events which are personal to the protagonist universally relatable to a...
Ever since humans have been able to communicate, we share stories, weaving the tapestry of our shared existence. These stories differ wildly
In his book, Poetics, Aristotle laid the foundation for story structure by stating that all stories must have a beginning, middle, and
Backstory includes all the events from your characters’ pasts, details about their origins, plus any essential background information necessary to advance the
In simple terms, storytelling consists of three things: the beginning, middle, and end. However, this basic structure can often hide extremely complicated
There’s no rhythm without some repeated notes. Certain literary and rhetorical devices are so ingrained in how we speak and think that
Misdirection — the art of strategically concealing and revealing information — is one of the most potent literary tools that can enrich
Try to recall your favorite story. How did it begin? What were the first words? If the first lines of a book
What is a story without a plot? Not much! A plot is the sequence of events that helps give a story its
It’s a tale as old as time. The protagonist is torn from their ordinary life and sets off to face a challenge.
All stories must eventually come to a conclusion, or “resolution.” As an author, your job is to ensure that the plot threads
For some writers, just getting the story started is the toughest part. There’s so much you want to say, but you have
Theme is a way of making a series of events which are personal to the protagonist universally relatable to a wide audience.
Rising action refers to the series of events that lead from a story’s inciting incident to the climax. In this article, we
With storytelling, if your reader isn’t engaged within the first few chapters, you run the risk of losing their attention. So, what
What happens after a story’s climactic moment? What comes after the protagonist wins the girl, or defeats the bully, or triumphs over
The climax. This is the moment your reader has been waiting for. They’ve spent hours immersed in your story, falling in love
Story is always a journey of self-discovery “The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates Embarking on a creative endeavor, especially
At the heart of every story lies a dilemma. It is not a question of whether or not your protagonist has a
Ever since humans have been able to communicate, we share stories, weaving the tapestry of our shared existence. These stories...
In his book, Poetics, Aristotle laid the foundation for story structure by stating that all stories must have a beginning,...
Backstory includes all the events from your characters’ pasts, details about their origins, plus any essential background information necessary to...
In simple terms, storytelling consists of three things: the beginning, middle, and end. However, this basic structure can often hide...
There’s no rhythm without some repeated notes. Certain literary and rhetorical devices are so ingrained in how we speak and...
Misdirection — the art of strategically concealing and revealing information — is one of the most potent literary tools that...
Try to recall your favorite story. How did it begin? What were the first words? If the first lines of...
What is a story without a plot? Not much! A plot is the sequence of events that helps give a...
It’s a tale as old as time. The protagonist is torn from their ordinary life and sets off to face...
All stories must eventually come to a conclusion, or “resolution.” As an author, your job is to ensure that the...
For some writers, just getting the story started is the toughest part. There’s so much you want to say, but...
Theme is a way of making a series of events which are personal to the protagonist universally relatable to a...
Rising action refers to the series of events that lead from a story’s inciting incident to the climax. In this...
With storytelling, if your reader isn’t engaged within the first few chapters, you run the risk of losing their attention....
What happens after a story’s climactic moment? What comes after the protagonist wins the girl, or defeats the bully, or...
The climax. This is the moment your reader has been waiting for. They’ve spent hours immersed in your story, falling...
Story is always a journey of self-discovery “The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates Embarking on a creative...
At the heart of every story lies a dilemma. It is not a question of whether or not your protagonist...
