Rule #22

And the very last one. Finally! What’s the essence of your story? Most economical telling of it? If you know that, you can build out from there. This should have been the first rule, huh? Why was I wasting our time with all the others… Today ends our journey through Emma Coats’ Pixar’s 22 Storytelling Rules. … More Rule #22

Rule #20

Have you all seen Superman – Man of Steel? My brother thinks it is the bomb, but other than the wickedly splendid Faora Hu-Ul (played by Antje Traue), I think they got it all wrong. Why? I didn’t care whether Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman survived or not. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I cared whether earth survived. … More Rule #20

Rule #19

Life is full of co-wink-a-dinks. But your fiction shouldn’t be. I’d like to wax poetic about all the times I’ve seen this done and that I’ve even done in my writing (yes, I’m lazy), but NaNoWriMo is calling. Heed the Pixar-gods: Coincidences to get characters into trouble are great; coincidences to get them out of … More Rule #19

Rule #18

As nice as it is, I got tired of posting that huge graphic from PBJPublishing.com. So, I split it up into its individual pieces. One of these days, I’ll go back and fix the images from earlier posts. And if you ever do want to see the entire image in all its glory, check out … More Rule #18

Rule #17

I’ve been depressed this week. Recently, several rejection-slips landed in my inbox, each for different stories of mine. All of ’em deserved to be rejected. Once I read the editors’ feedback, it was very clear they all lacked a good story. I’ve moped around ever since. My big goal this month was to finish a … More Rule #17

Rule #14

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. The 14th writing rule in Pixar’s 22 Storytelling Rules is more of a statement of fact and not a writing tip or rule (remember, I’m using the term ‘rule’ rather loosely here as I’m … More Rule #14

Rule #12

It is yet another Happy Wednesday, folks, and time for a quick look at  Pixar’s 22 Storytelling Rules. The twelfth rule is one I do not often heed, though, I should. Let’s take a look at it: Discount the first thing that comes to mind. Then the second, third, fourth, fifth – get the obvious out … More Rule #12

Rule #9

Welcome Back, folks. Today is Wednesday. The day I set aside to learn the craft of writing. As you may know, I am reviewing Pixar’s 22 Storytelling Rules. Allow me to interrupt myself and give a word of caution. I’m repeating myself, but I want to make sure we are all clear. These rules are not really … More Rule #9