A Conflict Layer Cake: worked EXAMPLE
Applying the principles in A Conflict Layer Cake to a single story, building dramatic tension and creating meaning through stacked, escalating conflicts. In an oppressive society, [...]
The ‘So…, But…’ Chain
A simple, incisive, scalable test of your story logic. Causality and Meaning Story logic is crucial to understanding character. Story logic is built on causality [...]
Using Coincidence in Your Story
Coincidence is one of the writer’s most powerful tools. Don’t use it to cheat the audience. Coincidence and character agency If narrative is about the limits [...]
A Conflict Layer Cake
To have a substantial second act, your story needs multiple layers of conflict. To have a powerful third act, they need to come together into a single significant external action [...]
Built-in Failure at the Circus
Writing lessons from a visit to the circus. When Failure Is a Feature, Not a Bug If success looks easy, it feels empty. Every night [...]
Conflicted Protagonist, Certain Antagonist
Powerful stories about change start with a struggle between a conflicted protagonist and a definite antagonist. The classic Hollywood story about The Triumph of the [...]
Dithering is not an Action
Make your protagonist active, and wrong. Conflicted, But Not Indecisive Your protagonist needs internal conflict—that’s what gives your story psychological and emotional depth. But be [...]
Maintain the Conflidiction
Conflict is often said to be the essence of drama. But unresolved conflict lasts longer. Don’t Burn all your Fuel at Once Open conflict burns [...]
Don’t Rescue your Characters
When we rescue our characters, we think we’re being kind to the characters, and to the audience, who we hope also love our characters. What we’re actually doing is [...]
Make your Audience Come Looking
Don’t Explain, Reveal. And sometimes, Withhold. This essay builds directly on the principle explored in Don’t Explain, Reveal — that explanation weakens engagement, while discovery strengthens it. Here, [...]
