If there’s a magic ingredient in writing, it’s story subtext. It’s actually not magic, of course, any more than any of the other demystified techniques of structure, theme, or character arc. But story subtext often seems like magic simply because, by its very nature, it is the execution of the unexplained. What is Subtext in Fiction? Subtext is […]
October 12, 2026 by 7 Comments Plotting Your NovelThe 5 Ingredients You Need to Write Subtext in Fiction
July 6, 2026 by 24 Comments How to Become a WriterWhy We Need Heroic Stories: The Courage We Borrow From Fiction
A hill I will die on: we need heroic stories. That may seem super obvious. After all, the word “hero” has become all but synonymous with “protagonist.” They are not, however, the same thing. A protagonist is the structural driver of the plot (just as the antagonist is the structural obstacle to that driving momentum). […]
June 22, 2026 by 2 Comments CharactersWriting Masterclass: Alchemizing Plot, Character, & Theme for Powerful Fiction
Truly resonant stories give us the feeling that nothing about them is accidental. The plot, character arc, theme, symbolism, and even the setting all belong to the same deeper pattern. Everything connects. This is what I’ll be exploring in my Story School class Alchemizing Plot, Character, and Theme, which originally premiered during last year’s WorldShift […]
April 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment CharactersNew Writing Class: The Hidden Psychology of Story Conflict
Conflict is often taught as the engine of plot, but what if it is really the engine of psychological transformation? When we look at story through a symbolic lens, antagonists can be understood not just as external obstacles, but as forces that reveal the deeper inner workings of the protagonist. This is what I’m exploring […]
August 25, 2025 by 87 Comments PodcastWhat’s Happened to Modern Storytelling? (+ 6 Ways Storytelling Can Find Its Soul Again)
I’ve been feeling it for a while now—that dull, uninspired thud when the credits roll on modern storytelling. More and more, movies in particular leave me feeling unmoved and oddly detached. Bored, really. Once upon a time, I’d walk out of the theater buzzing. I’d carry that story around with me for days, sometimes weeks. […]
July 21, 2025 by 20 Comments CharactersWhat Makes a Story “Bad”? A Guide to Why Your Narrative Isn’t Working
We’ve all experienced it: a story that looks good on paper, features big-name characters, or starts with an intriguing premise—but somehow falls flat. Maybe the characters feel hollow, the plot drifts without purpose, or the ending lands with a thud. But what actually makes a story “bad”? Are there pitfalls you can look out for […]
July 14, 2025 by 14 Comments Writer's HelpThe Ultimate Writing Glossary (Story Structure, Character Arcs, and More)
Over the years, I’ve developed a set of terms that have become foundational to how I teach storytelling. A few I’ve coined myself, others I’ve adapted, and some I’ve simply emphasized so frequently they’ve become closely associated with my approach to character arcs, story structure, and theme. Whether you’ve followed my work through this blog […]
June 16, 2025 by 7 Comments CharactersHow to Write Different Character Arcs for the Same Character (Part 2 of 2)
One of the most exciting challenges in storytelling is writing characters who grow over time—not just within a single story, but across several. Whether you’re working on a series or revisiting a familiar protagonist in a new standalone, the question inevitably arises: How do you create different character arcs for the same character without repeating […]
March 3, 2025 by 17 Comments CharactersYour Character’s Three Choices: Character Goal Examples for Writers
Most writers understand that strong character goals are essential to a compelling story. But did you know that within every plot, three distinct types of goals shape every character’s journey? These are fundamental, primary, and secondary goals. In exploring these character goal examples for writers, you can gain a clearer understanding of how character, plot, […]
July 1, 2024 by 26 Comments CharactersEverything You Need to Know About the Lie the Character Believes
Hello, everyone, and welcome! In today’s post/podcast/video, we’re going to be talking about what is very possibly the single most important element of any successful story. And that is the Lie the Character Believes. The Lie the Character Believes is a mistaken or limited perspective the character holds at the beginning of the story which […]
