Q&A: Increasing the Emotion in Your Stories
You may have noticed the message at the bottom of my previous article, inviting you to submit any story questions you’d like me to answer.
MICHAEL HAUGE is a story expert, author and lecturer who works
with writers, filmmakers, marketers, business leaders and public speakers,
both in Hollywood and around the world.
FOLLOW THE PAIN
Not a great recommendation for celebrating the holidays, I know. But if you want to find great stories to tell, this is the key. I first came up with the phrase “follow the pain” during a presentation.
Q & A: Can a Hero Also Be His Own Nemesis?
After reading your “Conflict #4: The Nemesis” article and considering the “coming of age/personal development” story I’m writing, you have me wondering what you would think about…
Q & A: What If My Hero’s Desire Isn’t Original?
Is there a way to find an original motivation that is also strong enough for an adventure story? I want to avoid clichés: avenging a dead parent; seeking a treasure; winning the love of a prince.
Q & A: Inner Life of Characters
Do you have any advice for people who are good at ideas, plots and dialogue bits but not so good at getting into the heads of their characters?
Q&A: Daily Revisions or Forge Ahead?
I am finding that when I sit down each day to continue my writing, I read everything I’ve written so far in order to get back into the flow. When I do this I have the tendency to…
THE BREAKER OF CHAINS
As futile – and maybe dangerous – as it may be to enter into the raging battle over the conclusion of Game of Thrones, I’ve become combat weary over…
What’s at Stake?
The simplest way to understand the idea of STAKES for the hero (or for any character in a story) is to ask, “What will this character lose if he fails to achieve his goal?”
Increasing the Impact of Surprise
The film THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI includes an early scene where the hero, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) is confronted by…
Delivering a Powerful Theme
The most powerful and persuasive stories don’t simply entertain or enlighten – they challenge their readers and audiences to transform.