Understanding Character Karma
Every story we tell sends a message.
Latest in Turning Points
The Four Ways to Create a Bittersweet Ending
Character karma doesn't stop us from creating complex and nuanced stories.
Five Conflicts With Weak Turning Points, and How to Fix Them
When good conflicts turn bad.
Six Types of Downward Turning Points
Downward turning points make failure feel satisfying.
How to Create an Unhappy Ending
In a truly tragic story, the hero fails because they made the wrong choice.
Episode 346: Making the Climax Exciting
Unfortunately, readers don’t generally accept “and then something exciting happened.”
The Climaxes of Marvel’s Phase Three, Part 2
Will these final films improve, or will Marvel's tradition of shoddy endings continue?
Turning Points: The Secret to Satisfying Conflicts
The crucial, yet often overlooked ingredient to emotionally rewarding conflicts.
The Terrible Movie Climaxes From Marvel’s Phase One
Marvel consistently demonstrates how to create an utterly lackluster climax.
Nine Options for High Stakes Conflicts Without Violence
No violence is needed to create excitement.
The Nine Star Wars Movie Climaxes, Compared
Lessons from the Star Wars climaxes can be applied to your own work.
Six Types of Turning Points for Climaxes
Without a good turning point, endings don't feel satisfying.
Oren Ashkenazi