Great scenes propel the story forward with solid story structure. See that structure in action in the opening scene of How to Train Your Dragon.
The Editor’s Blog
Learn how to edit your novel with this library of resources.
Read or listen to expert articles on the editing process.
Plus, download free worksheets and guides to help you edit your novel!
How the 6 Elements of Story Work in Act 1 of How to Train Your Dragon
The six elements of story work on every level of story. Here’s how they work on the act level.
How the 6 Elements of Story Work in How to Train Your Dragon
The best way to understand story structure is to see how it works in a story that works. Here’s how How to Train Your Dragon tells an unforgettable story using the six elements of story.
3 Ways to Use the 6 Elements of Story Structure in Your Novel
The six elements of story are powerful at EVERY level of story—when you know how to use them. Here are three ways to apply them to your novel.
Why the 6 Elements of Story Are the Key to All Great Stories
I apply the six elements of story to every story I edit. Why do they work so well? Here are three reasons why this story structure is so powerful.
The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
A simple, flexible story structure framework that works at every level of story. I use this structure in every story I edit, every single day.
One Insidious Cause of Disappointing Endings (and How to Fix It)
Does the end of your story pay off everything you set up in the beginning and the middle? Here’s how to tell whether your story’s end works—and how to fix it if it doesn’t.
The 3-Step Formula to Evoke Emotion and Make Your Readers Feel
When you know how to evoke emotion, even breaking a pencil can make your readers feel. Use this three-step process to create feeling in every scene.
How Spider-Man (And All Great Stories) Makes Us Laugh, Cry, and Feel the Feels
We love stories because they make us feel. Here’s the formula Spider-Man (and all great stories) uses to create transformative emotional experiences.
Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
Stories are about change. Here’s how to identify what changes in your story—and why that’s a critical part of the editing process.