Writing

Every screenwriting book tells you the same thing: stories have three acts. Act 1: Setup (establish character, world, conflict) Act 2: Confrontation (escalating obstacles, rising stakes) Act 3: Resolution (climax, falling action, denouement) There’s a problem though. Most of your favorite movies don’t actually follow this structure. Or rather, they follow it so loosely that calling it “three acts” is misleading at best and creatively limiting at worst. Let’s be clear: the three-act structure isn’t wrong. But it’s not a rule-it’s a retrospective description, not a prescription. And treating it as gospel might be why your story feels forced. ...

Every compelling character is haunted by a belief that isn’t true. Not a minor misconception. Not a small error in judgment. A fundamental lie about themselves or the world that shapes every decision they make-until the story forces them to confront it. This lie is the engine of character transformation. And understanding how to craft it separates functional characters from unforgettable ones. What Is the Character’s Lie? The Lie is a false belief your character holds about themselves, others, or how the world works. It’s: ...

Most storytelling advice tells you to start slow: establish the ordinary world, introduce your characters, build context before introducing conflict. The Fichtean Curve says: screw that. Start with a crisis. Then another crisis. And another. And another. Keep escalating until you reach a climax, deliver a brief resolution, and you’re done. No leisurely setup. No patient worldbuilding. No gentle easing the audience into the story. Just: Crisis. Crisis. Crisis. Boom. ...