The thing not everyone realizes is that writers should watch a lot of television and movies, because the art of story is laid out for you in bite-sized pieces: either a two-hour film or an hour drama usually gets the job done—beginning, middle, end. Watch the way it works: Opening conflict. Introduce your characters. Main character is actionable and drives the plot forward. Obstacles galore. Emotional conflicts everywhere. Setbacks. Twist—three or four, if you’ve got them. All characters hurtle toward a boil, and then boom: unexpected consequences. Twist again. Revelation: the truth surfaces.
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