From the course: Writing: The Craft of Story
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Story check: Cause and effect
From the course: Writing: The Craft of Story
Story check: Cause and effect
- Here are a few questions that will help you make sure your story stays on an if, then, therefore trajectory all the way through. First, does your story follow a cause and effect path so that each scene is triggered by the one that proceeded it? What you want is an if, then, therefore pattern all the way through. It's like the one, two, three of a waltz. Get that rhythm stuck in your head, if, then, therefore, and use it to build momentum. Second, do the events that take place in your story spur the protagonist's internal quest? We don't care about a hurricane, a stock market crash, or even aliens taking over Downtown Cleveland unless it somehow directly effects your protagonist's pursuit of your internal goal. Third, do you always show your protagonist's train of thought when he's making a decision? The reader wants to know how what happens affects the protagonist so we understand why he makes the decisions he does. Don't forget, just…
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