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 […]
Booster Shots for your Search for Story
Things to keep in mind as you plan, draft, revise and dream, in no particular order… because there is no particular order: An “idea” for a story is NOT a story. Any more than a seed is a tree. You have lots of watering and fertilizing to do before the seed becomes something that will live. There […]
The Moment That Makes or Breaks Your Story
I’ve been reading a lot of story outlines and summaries lately, as part of my new coaching service (more on that soon). And I’m noticing something. Something sad and disturbing. Sad, because the story might otherwise be awesome. But it isn’t working as well at it could, as it should, because the author doesn’t get […]
When Your Passion Kills Your Plot
I wanted to call this one, “The Great and Silent Story Killer,” but I chose to put the real two-by-four-between-the-eyes point in the headline instead. Because passion is an intoxicant. A promise without a plan. And its addictive. It is cheering rather than playing the game. Good to have, worthless as a story planning asset. […]
More Goodness from Art Holcomb: “Forget Jagger – Learn How to Move Like Sorkin”
I’m a lucky blogger. When I take a hiatus, which has just about run it’s course, I have folks like Art Holcomb and Jennifer Blanchard (InkyBites) ready to step in. Here’s another winner from Art, who (like Jennifer) never disappoints. Back soon. Larry ***** Forget Jagger – Learn How to Move Like Sorkin A Guest Post from Art Holcomb All […]
How To Become A Badass Creative Writer — a Guest Post…
… by Jennifer Blanchard of InkyBites On StoryFix, Larry is constantly giving you all the information you need to write a badass story: a story that “works,” that shines in all 6 Core Competencies and is publishable. But being a badass creative writer? That takes more than just the ability to write an amazing story. […]
The “Box” is Just a Punk — A Guest Post by Art Holcomb
Once again our friend Art Holcomb knocks it out of the park. ***** Writers learn the same way our characters learn. Consider for a moment some of the great characters of fiction: Jay Gatsby, Yuri Zhivago, Atticus Finch, Scarlett O’Hara, Philip Marlowe, James Bond, Harry Potter . . . and Winnie-the-Pooh. These heroes spend most […]
An Empowering Perspective on Writing Scenes That Work
Having viewed four movies in four days, I am reminded of the learning (for novelists) that is avaiable there. In particular, the art and craft of defining and shaping scenes, which are the building blocks of dramatic narrative. Novelists too easily, and too often, don’t regard scenes for what they are: the delivery of story. […]
“Your structure is off…” — What Does That Even ‘Mean’?
You may have heard that. In fact, you may have heard that from me, either by virtue of having me evaluate your story, or through your own interpretation of the story architecture principles I espouse here. It may confuse you. It may even piss you off. Not everyone understands the difference between a principle and […]