The Fix Is In: The Square-One Story Killer

Not long ago I wrote about a toxic, epidemic story problem that is killing the chances of passionate, well-intended writers who aren’t aware that they’re playing with fire.   I’m going to do it again here, from a different perspective… because it’s that pervasive and consistently deadly. Here’s the SOLUTION – the cure, the fix, the […]

The Seductive But Deadly Sin That Wants to Kill Your Story

See if you can diagnose the writer’s problem in the following fictional – but all too common – exchange. I have it all too frequently as I coach writers on their stories.  At conferences.  In emails.  As part of my new story coaching program.  It goes like this: “What’s your story about?” I ask. “It’s […]

The Killer One-Two Punch that Launches Dramatic Tension in Your Story

You get that you need to setup your story. You get that you need to present your hero with a problem and/or a goal.  Something to DO.  With something standing in the hero’s way, an entity with their own opposing needs and goals.  And, with something at stake for both your hero and that opposing […]

Are you “Terrified” of Story Structure?

Or maybe just pissed off at it. I’d like to share an exchange I recently had with a Storyfix reader.  I think it speaks for a silent constituency out there, those to fall into either of the categories defined above. But don’t be scared.  Don’t be angry.  Structure loves you.  Structure wants to liberate you […]

The Secret Weapon of Crafting Effective Heroes

I promise this isn’t a sermon.  This isn’t even remotely religious, other than this short snippet of scripture – as in, THE Scripture – which sets the stage.  It’s from First Corinthians 13:13, and it sticks in the brain as much as it rolls easily off the tongue: But now faith, hope, love, abide these […]