10 Comments

This is a tremendous resource. Thank you for serving us a better-than-MFA mini course.

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Fantastic. And you have spurred me to go back to my anecdotal value calculations -- not that everything should be quantified, but my key components --

U: Unexpectedness (1–10): How surprising the anecdote is.

P: Prominence (1–10): Importance or stature of figures in the story.

Pr: Prurience (1–10): Sensational or provocative elements. Higher values dilute credibility.

T: Tellability (1–10): Ease of retelling and engaging listeners.

A: Attractiveness (1–10): Emotional or intellectual appeal.

S: Simplicity (1–10): How easy it is to understand.

are helpful for reminding authors that ingredients matter.

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This makes my Quant brain happy, haha.

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This series is much appreciated and has excellent timing. I’m also someone who spent most of their formal education in pursuit of a science-based career and recently resolved to dig into deeper literary theory to elevate my understanding of craft. Yes, I mostly write commercial fantasy but I want to write good ones.

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this finding me while im been blocked with one of my wips for over a month. thank u

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Incredible. You answered some of my lingering questions, thank you!

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Oh my god thank you- I’ve been trying to get through a script as a self taught writer working a day job in a STEM field and this has clarified so many things that I was frustrated by and struggling with but could not name. So grateful for this!!!

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I like to use the word "unstable" to define a situation in a story. It implies trouble and has a past that made it "unstable" and a future as characters deal with what is unstable.

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Thank you for this useful and interesting lesson!

A question: I recognized the rest of the situations listed, but not "A woman with a boyfriend receives an invitation from her ex-husband." What work is this? Thanks!

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"Chef's House"!

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