Pixar has 22 rules for storytelling.
They've used them to make $14 billion with Toy Story, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, and many more.
Here's the top 5 that will make you a better storyteller:
1) Put your audience first
Flexing your writing chops is fun.
But if your story isn't relevant to your audience, it falls on blind eyes.
"Keep in mind what’s interesting to you as an audience, not what’s fun to do as a writer."
Flexing your writing chops is fun.
But if your story isn't relevant to your audience, it falls on blind eyes.
"Keep in mind what’s interesting to you as an audience, not what’s fun to do as a writer."
2) Avoid the "Deus ex machina"
Never have your character saved at the last minute - I'm looking at you, Star Wars and Marvel.
"Coincidences that lead to trouble are great; coincidences that get them out of it are cheating."
Never have your character saved at the last minute - I'm looking at you, Star Wars and Marvel.
"Coincidences that lead to trouble are great; coincidences that get them out of it are cheating."
3) Avoid losing ideas to the void
A story stuck in your mind is like a scrambled bowl of Alphagetti.
You can only arrange the letters once they're in the bowl.
"Putting it on paper allows you to start fixing it. If an idea stays in your head, you'll never share it."
A story stuck in your mind is like a scrambled bowl of Alphagetti.
You can only arrange the letters once they're in the bowl.
"Putting it on paper allows you to start fixing it. If an idea stays in your head, you'll never share it."
4) Exploit their weaknesses
Superman comics didn't sell until the writers introduced kryptonite.
Without it, there was no tension or struggle for him to overcome.
"Whatever your character is good at, throw the polar opposite at him. How does he deal with it?"
Superman comics didn't sell until the writers introduced kryptonite.
Without it, there was no tension or struggle for him to overcome.
"Whatever your character is good at, throw the polar opposite at him. How does he deal with it?"
5) Perfection doesn't exist
Perfect stories don't exist.
So don't be too hard on yourself.
Finish yours and share it.
Without your audience's feedback, you'll never reach your full potential.
"Finish your story. Move on even if it's not perfect. Do better next time."
Perfect stories don't exist.
So don't be too hard on yourself.
Finish yours and share it.
Without your audience's feedback, you'll never reach your full potential.
"Finish your story. Move on even if it's not perfect. Do better next time."
5 Pixar writing rules that will make you a master storyteller:
1) Put your audience first
2) Avoid the "Deus ex machina"
3) Get your story out of your head
4) Challenge characters to overcome their weaknesses
5) Avoid perfection - it doesn't exist
1) Put your audience first
2) Avoid the "Deus ex machina"
3) Get your story out of your head
4) Challenge characters to overcome their weaknesses
5) Avoid perfection - it doesn't exist
Thanks for reading.
I rarely do curated threads like this.
But it was fun to add my take to something I enjoyed learning.
If you like Toy Story, reach for the skies and retweet the first tweet.
And follow me @taylinsimmonds for more writing tips.
Until next time,
TS
I rarely do curated threads like this.
But it was fun to add my take to something I enjoyed learning.
If you like Toy Story, reach for the skies and retweet the first tweet.
And follow me @taylinsimmonds for more writing tips.
Until next time,
TS
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