Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling

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simplify. focus. combine characters. hop over detours. you'll feel like you're losing valuable stuff but it sets you free

pull apart the stories you like. what you like in them is a part of you; you've got to recognize it before you use it

putting it on paper lets you start fixing it. if it stays in your a perfect idea

why must you tell this story? what's the belief burning within you that your story feeds off of? that's the heart of it

what are the stakes? give us reason to root

coincidences to get characters into trouble are great; coincidences to get them out of it are cheating

what's the essence of your story? most economical telling of it? if you know that

watch pixar's andrew stanton reveal the clues to a great story

previous post stephen king and the art of the short story

next post great young adult novels

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aero me writers' studio

march 2013

pixar's rules of storytelling

you admire a character

you gotta keep in mind what's interesting to you as an audience

trying

once upon a time there was ___. every day

what is your character at

come up

finish your story

when you're stuck

discount the 1st thing that comes to mind. and the 2nd

give your characters opinions. passive/malleable might seem likable to you as you write

if you were your character

no work is ever wasted. if it's not working

you have to know yourself: the difference between doing your best & fussing. story is testing

exercise: take the building blocks of a movie you dislike. how d'you rearrange them into what you do like

you gotta identify

read more the story spine: pixar's 4th rule of storytelling

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