D.L. Fowler's Blog

Originally posted on Primitive Optimism:
Asking questions unlocks possibilities that we might not know are there if we insist on thinking we know the answers. The quote “an inquisitive mind is a growing mind” came to me as I was engaged in a discussion about the human experience with a very intelligent high schooler who…

Readers need to see the tangible evidence when internal conflicts are resolved. To satisfy that need, authors must manifest psychological change with physical consequences.

We need to be reminded that we are much stronger than we sometimes believe. We dream, create, and force ourselves to keep striving. Through the ups and downs, we persevere!

When the five psychological movements are woven seamlessly into the story’s three acts, readers can fully satisfy their psychological needs alongside our characters.

Late in Act 1, a reader’s urge to resist change will enhance the bonding process when the Lead’s status quo comes under attack.

Nothing is more critical to the success of a story than the Moment of Grace.

When a story’s synopsis fuses the moral dilemma with the principal character’s physical goal, you’ve created two things. The first is a promise to readers that your story will pull on their heartstrings. The second is a road map to keep your writing focused on the story’s heart.

Does your story have an overarching "or else"?

... many secrets hide in plain sight, camouflaged by the mundane and obscured by myriad tricks and gimmicks that are supposed to engage readers. These secrets are so powerful they can turn you into a master storyteller. You’ll find the first installment below.