Writing Easy

28 - Trying funky stuff

Another week another episode focused on Pixar Rules! We're tackling PLOT and we're discussing rules #9, #12, and #19. 

#9: When you’re stuck, make a list of what WOULDN’T happen next. Lots of times the material to get you unstuck will show up.

 

#12: Discount the 1st thing that comes to mind. And the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th – get the obvious out of the way. Surprise yourself.

 

#19: Coincidences to get characters into trouble are great; coincidences to get them out of it are cheating.

Resources:

Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling

27 - Filling in the Blanks

Another week another episode focused on Pixar Rules! We're tackling PLOT and we're discussing rules #4 and #22.

#4 - "Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. One day ___. Because of that, ___. Because of that, ___. Until finally ___."

#22 - "What’s the essence of your story? Most economical telling of it? If you know that, you can build out from there."

Resources:

Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling

26 - Writing from the heart

Another week another episode focused on Pixar Rules! We're still tackling writer confidence and today we're looking at rule #14 and #17.

#14 - "Why must you tell THIS story? What's the belief burning within you that your story feeds off of? That's the heart of it."

#17 - "No work is ever wasted. If it's not working, let go and move on - it'll come back around to be useful later."

Resources:

Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling

25 - Stop when you're done

Today we continue Pixar’s never-ending, not so official, Rules of Storytelling!! We can't math and realized this series is way longer than we anticipated. So this week we tackle two rules in one episode! This week, we are talking about writer confidence. We'll be looking at #2 and #8.

#2 - "You gotta keep in mind what's interesting to you as an audience, not what's fun to do as a writer. They can be v. different."

#8 - "Finish your story, let go even if it's not perfect. In an ideal world you have both, but move on. Do better next time."

Resources:

Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling

24 - Character Mash

Today we continue Pixar’s never-ending, not so official, Rules of Storytelling!! This week, #5: “Simplify. Focus. Combine characters. Hop over detours. You’ll feel like you’re losing valuable stuff, but it sets you free.”

Resources:

Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling

23 -Story is Testing, Not Refining.

If you've ever had a thought that starts with, "I am a bad writer because..." than this episode is for you. Today we continue Pixar's Never-Ending Rules of Wisdom!! This week, #18: "You have to know yourself: the difference between doing your best & fussing. Story is testing, not refining."

Resources:

Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling

Connie Willis Clip 

22 - Character Wants and Needs

Pixar's Never-Ending Rules of Wisdom!!

Mary and Melissa continue their segment featuring Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling. Each week, we do a deep dive of one of the tips, tricks, and tools shared and discuss how we use them in our writing practice.

This week, #16: "What are the stakes? Give us a reason to root for the character. What happens if they don't succeed? Stack the odds against them."

Resources:

Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling

 

21 - Themes and Fluffy Frosting

Pixar's Never-Ending Rules of Wisdom!!

Mary and Melissa continue their segment featuring Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling. Each week, we do a deep dive of one of the tips, tricks, and tools shared and discuss how we use them in our writing practice.

This week, #3: "Trying for theme is important, but you won’t see what the story is actually about til you’re at the end of it. Now rewrite."

Resources:

Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling

 

20 - Not my cup of Tea.

More Pixar Wisdom!!

Mary and Melissa continue their segment featuring Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling. Each week, we do a deep dive of one of the tips, tricks, and tools shared and discuss how we use them in our writing practice.

This week, #20: "Exercise: take the building blocks of a movie you dislike. How do you rearrange them into what you DO like?"

Resources:

Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling

Some of our problematic movies that deserve a closer assessment. We ask, why didn't we like this? What stuck with us and what didn't?

• Twilight (Books & Films)
• Star Wars - Prequel Trilogy (Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith)
• Season 7 Buffy!
• The Lion King (This is ALL Mary!!!)
• Authors we love...(that do things we don't)
  • Charlaine Harris - Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood Books
  • Jeff Wheeler - Harbinger Series
  • J.K. Rowling - Order of the Phoenix (NOT Half-Blood Prince!!!)

Hit us up on the socials, and let us know what you think! @writingeasypodcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

If you enjoyed the episode, give us a review. It helps other new and established writers find us.

19 -What do you like?

More Pixar Wisdom!!

Today Mary and Melissa continue their segment featuring Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling. Way back in 2012 Director and Pixar storyboard artist Emma Coats tweeted out 22 tips for storytelling, and since then they have gone viral and become an essential part of the writer's canon. Each week, we do a deep dive of one of the tips, tricks, and tools shared and discuss how we use them in our writing practice.

This week, #10: "Pull apart the stories you like. What you like in them is a part of you; you’ve got to recognize it before you can use it."

Resources:

Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling

Some of our favorites shouted out during the episode include:

• Fleabag (TV Show on Amazon Prime)
• Harry Potter (Duh) by J.K. Rowling
• Dragonflight by Anne McCaffery

Hit us up on the socials, and let us know what you think! @writingeasypodcast on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

If you enjoyed the episode, give us a review. It helps other new and established writers find us.