Tag: StoryCoaching

The Foundation of Every Great Story: A Strong Story Core

Welcome to Writer's Edge, your weekly resource for mastering the art and craft of storytelling. Every Tuesday, I'll share insights drawn from my experience as a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, blending the best elements of Edge Coach, First Edge, and Craft Edge. Whether you're staring at a blank page, wrestling with revisions, or fine-tuning your final draft, you'll find actionable advice, proven techniques, and encouragement tailored to your stage of the writing journey. Let Writer's Edge sharpen your skills, spark your creativity, and guide you toward building stories that captivate readers.

The Foundation of Every Great Story: A Strong Story Core

Every great novel begins with a solid foundation—a Story Core that holds the entire narrative together. Whether you’re a discovery writer (pantser), a meticulous planner (plotter), or something in between, identifying your Story Core early can save you hours of revision and keep your narrative on track.

What is a Story Core?

At its heart, the Story Core is the central driving force of your novel. It’s made up of three key elements:

  1. Protagonist’s Goal: What does your protagonist want more than anything?
  2. Conflict: What stands in the way of achieving that goal?
  3. Stakes: What happens if the protagonist fails?

Without these elements working in harmony, even the most beautifully written prose can fall flat.

Why Your Story Core Matters

A strong Story Core:

  • Provides focus and direction for your narrative.
  • Keeps your characters’ motivations clear and believable.
  • Gives readers a reason to invest emotionally in the story.

Practical Steps to Identify Your Story Core

  1. Ask the Big Questions:
    • What does my protagonist want?
    • Why can’t they have it?
    • What happens if they don’t succeed?
  2. Refine Your Answers: Be specific. “Save the world” is vague. “Stop the reactor before it melts down and destroys the city” is clear and immediate.
  3. Write It Down: Create a one-sentence summary of your Story Core. Example: A timid librarian must confront her fear of public speaking to save her town’s historic library from demolition.

Edge Coaching Tip:

If you’re struggling to clarify your Story Core, step away from the plot for a moment. Focus on your protagonist—what do they fear, love, or regret the most? Often, your Story Core is buried in their deepest desire or most haunting fear.

Your Challenge This Week:

Write a one-sentence Story Core for your current project. Share it in the comments or keep it as your guiding light for this stage of your draft.

Next Tuesday, we’ll dive into how to align your plot points with your Story Core to create a compelling narrative arc.

Happy writing!

– Your StoryCoach

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

Edge Coach—Three-Point Scene Analysis for Stronger Endings

EDGE COACH - TUESDAYS
Welcome to Edge Coach, my Tuesday focus on professional story development. As a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, I share techniques to strengthen your writing and engage your readers. Whether you're revising your first draft or polishing your final one, Edge Coach offers practical guidance for your story.

The Three Points Every Scene Needs

  1. Character Change
  • Entry state vs. exit state
  • Emotional transformation
  • Knowledge gained or lost
  1. Story Movement
  • Plot advancement
  • New complications
  • Stakes escalation
  1. Reader Experience
  • Question answered
  • New question raised
  • Emotional impact

Applying the Three Points to Scene Elements

Entry Hook

  • Establishes character’s initial state
  • Sets scene tension
  • Poses story question

POV Goal

  • Drives character movement
  • Creates story momentum
  • Raises stakes

Scene Middle

  • Develops complications
  • Shows character agency
  • Builds tension

Scene Climax

  • Forces character change
  • Answers scene question
  • Creates consequences

Exit Hook

  • Shows transformation
  • Plants next scene’s seeds
  • Maintains momentum

Scene Name

  • Reflects main change
  • Highlights key element
  • Aids revision tracking

Analysis in Practice

When analyzing your scene, ask:

  1. What changes for the character?
  2. How does the story advance?
  3. What does the reader gain?

If any point is missing, your scene needs strengthening.

StoryCoach Tips

  • Track all three points in your scene outline
  • Verify each element serves multiple points
  • Ensure changes ripple forward
  • Connect points to your story’s theme
  • Build each scene’s points toward your ending

Remember: Strong scenes need more than structure—they need meaningful change on multiple levels.

#SceneStructure #WritingCraft #StoryEditing #ThreePointAnalysis #WritingTips #StoryCoaching #SceneWriting #RevisionStrategy

Use the Contact form to schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.