Because most philosophies that frown on reproduction don't survive.

Sunday, July 08, 2012

WSJ: From Pixar's School of Plotting

Writing a story? The WSJ (you were expecting some other source from me?) features 20 story prompts from Emma Coats, a storyboard artist for "Brave"



2. Remember that what's interesting to an audience can be very different from what's fun to do as a writer.3. Theme is important, but you won't see what the story is actually about until you're at the end of it. Now rewrite.4. Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. One day ___. Because of that, ___. Because of that, ___. Until finally ___....6. What are your characters good at, comfortable with? Throw the polar opposite at them. Challenge them. How do they deal?7. Come up with your ending before you figure out your middle. Seriously. Endings are hard, get yours working up front....9.When you're stuck, make a list of what wouldn't happen next. Often the material to get you unstuck will show up....12. Discount the first thing that comes to mind. And the second, third and fourth—get the obvious out of the way. Surprise yourself....19. Coincidences to get characters into trouble are great; coincidences to get them out of it are cheating.
As I waffle over whether I should take the NaNoWriMo plunge again this November, these are the sorts of reminders of what I enjoyed about the whole bizarre process.


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Go for it!

Matthew Lickona said...

I think it's interesting that she just left Pixar...