The Forms May Change. Story Never Does.
What do I mean by that? Writing takes on many forms, from novels to screenplays to marketing copy and everything in between. But at its core, lies story. Okay, not always. The Exceptions Here’s the disclaimer bit that appeases the scholars who argue about rhetoric and...
It’s Not Mirror Neurons—It’s Narrative Transport
In recent months, I have read blogs and articles from marketers and entrepreneurs pushing the power of story and crediting mirror neurons for their results. But those articles have been misleading…and incomplete. People love the idea of what they think mirror neurons...
Why You’re Already Telling Stories—You Just Don’t Know It Yet
Last weekend, someone said something that stopped me mid-conversation. “We don’t really tell stories anymore.” Wait…what? I blinked. I stared. I tilted my head like a confused golden retriever trying to figure out how the ball disappeared. Because what? Of course we...
What Are Stories?
Stories demand attention. When someone begins telling a story (sharing a memory, experience, or observation), we stop to listen. We’ll keep listening, reading, or watching to see what happens next. That’s because stories pull us in. Our brains love them. You already...
How Storytelling Creates Emotional Connections in Business
The Super Bowl always comes with great ads and questionable ones (I’m looking at you Seal). This year was no exception. But the ad that stood out the most came before the game. Storytelling isn’t just for filmmakers (though in this case it helped when a filmmaker got...
Finding the Story Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like There Is One
There’s a story even when it doesn’t feel like there is. I’ve worked with many clients who ask content but warn there is no story to tell, just facts. In nearly every case, they are wrong. There’s always a story lurking among the data. It may not be obvious or...
Building a Story Bank: Collect, Organize, and Use Stories with Ease
Stories are your most powerful tool as a business owner and content creator. They are the key to connection and trust—essential ingredients in any business. But harnessing that power consistently requires organization and strategy, which is where a story bank comes...
The Case for Stories
Why Stories? Our brains are wired for stories. It’s how we connect, relate, and remember. Even when there is no story, our brains will conjure one. We take random facts and create narratives subconsciously to make sense of what we find. It’s how our brains work. We...
The Science of Story
Stories are powerful. We all want to know what happened next, how it felt to stare down danger or fall in love or fail spectacularly. It’s exactly those stories that help us connect and feel.
This blog could be like any other out there, sharing the power of story. But what happens if I tell you why stories matter to me? What if I let you into one of my stories before I give you facts on why stories work? Let’s see.
Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Series Bible for Television and Novels
Writers have entire worlds in their heads, filled with characters, locations, stories, and consequences. It’s a lot to keep track of when creating a story or series, which is why series bibles exist.
Story Problems: Four Major Issues Writers Face, Part III of III
The final story issue in our series concerns inconsistencies in your story, series, and world. In other words, contradicting facts in your story’s canon.