Understanding the hidden architecture of stories is the key to getting to The End. This series of posts looks at the Seven Elements that all stories share. When you hit all seven elements, you’ll have a story that works. Miss an element, misunderstand an element, or lack clarity on an element, and you’ll struggle to write a story that works. In Part 1, we look at your Open and your Inciting Incident.

Worldbuilding is not something just speculative fiction writers need to think about. All stories need worldbuilding. It’s what grounds the reader in the characters’ world. Without it, it’s hard for readers to fully understand the story and the characters.

One of the most common mistakes that I see in my editing and coaching practice is a story with a passive protagonist.

Like a writer deciding to wait for the perfect writing day to happen to them, passive protagonists sit back and wait for the story to happen to them.

But readers lose interest in passive protagonists pretty quickly.

Did you know that every genre has an acceptable word count range?

It’s based on things like reader expectations (or tolerance, as it were) on length, book sales, and even the price of paper.

And it can mean the difference between your book getting published, or languishing indefinitely on your desktop.

An important part of character interiority is seeing a POV character reference their life experience and future hopes on the page as they are faced with choices and challenges.

When this gets left out, you end up with what’s called an ever-present narrator.

A developmental edit is a good option if you’re someone who likes to learn on their own.

1:1 coaching is a good option if you’re someone who learns best with a guide. Someone who wants the structure and accountability.

Which approach works best for you?

How do you know if you’re trying out a new genre for the right reasons?

The answer, writer, is to know thyself.