Why We Stigmatize Enjoyment
It's hard to meet our goals when we won't admit what they are.
Latest in Outside Advice
Why the Save the Cat! Novel Beat Sheet Won’t Help You
Brody's plot "formula" is too vague and yet not nearly as universal as she claims.
Why Save the Cat! Can’t Write a Novel
An exercise in fudging story details to fit silly criteria.
How Useful Are Blake Snyder’s Rules of Storytelling? Part 2
He's more obsessed with DNA than you might expect.
How Useful are Blake Snyder’s Rules of Storytelling? Part 1
Are any of these rules from Save the Cat better than the beat sheet?
Why Save The Cat! Can’t Teach Us Storytelling
Save the money you'd spend on this book.
Episode 387: Story Structures
What even are story structures?
The Myth of Conflict-Free Story Structures
One weird trick vs. storytelling reality.
The Three-Act Structure Is a Mirage
A structure no stronger than a sand castle.
How Useful Are Pixar’s Rules of Storytelling? Part 2
Emma Coats strikes again!
How Useful Are Pixar’s Rules of Storytelling? Part 1
Pixar's rules for writing a story... sort of.
How Useful Are Michael Moorcock’s Ten Rules of Writing?
An author who isn't afraid to share his opinions.
How Useful Are Jonathan Franzen’s Ten Rules for Novelists?
Genre critic vs. literary author!
How Writing Instructors Forgo the Most Vital Fiction Lesson
A gut feeling for stories isn't enough.
How Useful Are Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing?
Writers love to offer lists of rules for writing, especially if they’ve got a book to promote.
How Useful Are Neil Gaiman’s Eight Rules of Writing?
As a successful writer, he must have something useful to tell us, right?
It’s Time to Throw Out The Hero With a Thousand Faces
Remember this book for its impact rather than praising its poor scholarship.
Why Structures Like The Hero’s Journey Don’t Work
While these structures won't ruin a good story, they aren't providing what storytellers need.
Six Common Forms of Bad Writing Advice
It probably won’t surprise you that there’s a lot of writing advice out there.
Six Pieces of Misunderstood Storytelling Advice
The internet is full of writing advice.
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