It’s the final installment! If you have ever researched rules in storytelling, you may have come across the famous Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling. This came from a 2011 tweet from a Pixar employee who realized there were 22 written (and unwritten) rules they implemented on every story. While Industrial Scripts does a pretty good … More Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling Part 4.
If you have ever researched rules in storytelling, you may have come across the famous Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling. This came from a 2011 tweet from a Pixar employee who realized there were 22 written (and unwritten) rules they implemented on every story. While Industrial Scripts does a pretty good job of explaining the rules, I … More Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling Part 3.
“The Village of Gorgenon, near Alphigaz, floated above the Hoovah as the Pinkletons swam by. As long ago as eleventy Kikes, had the Moopahs overtaken the Quillerton valley. And now, seventeen-five Kikes later, Cocoyaks were bubbling under the surface.†Before you google who wrote that awful opening line, I’ll confess: it was me. I made … More How Not to Write the Opening Scene of Your Fantasy Book
By now, you’ve probably seen Linus tell Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about, seen Snoopy reunite with his brother Spike, and felt empathy for poor Rerun who is probably still stuck on that bike. For many, it’s tradition to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas Specials every year. And for many, it is the only … More What Writers Can Learn from Charles Schulz
One of the things I hear a lot of writers talk about is the balance between family life and career. In the countless interviews I’ve given through the years, the question of how I juggle the needs of my family with the demands of my writing career often comes up. Balance seems elusive. Parents can … More Finding the Elusive Balance
Some of you know that I’m a teacher as well as an author. I learn from my students and fellow teachers every single day, even—and sometimes especially—from those who are brand new to the profession. What does teaching have in common with writing? So. Many. Things. I was sitting with a new teacher who had … More Write Exciting Things for Kids