#128: What Are Obligatory Scenes And Conventions?

“When a story doesn't include these key scenes and conventions of its genre, it's just not going to work.” - Savannah Gilbo

Want a framework for your entire story? Learn what readers expect from a story like yours, and then use these obligatory scenes and conventions as a framework to craft a story that works.

Read the blog post here!

Here’s a preview of what’s included:

[03:47] What are obligatory scenes and conventions (and why are they important)?

[06:58] 3 steps to finding the obligatory scenes and conventions for your story's genre.

[10:31] Savannah breaks out most of the required scenes and conventions, which you can download by visiting the blog post for this episode.

[13:58] How to handle the obligatory scenes and conventions of your subplots vs. the main storyline.

[16:51] Final thoughts: If you don’t do the work to understand your genre, you’ll have a hard time getting your books into the hands of readers. And without readers, your story will never be experienced. That’s a terrible thought, right? To avoid this, know your genre and give your readers what they’re expecting in a new and exciting way. Give them the emotional experience they’re looking for, and you’ll earn loyal fans for life.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Ep. 2: Understanding Genre: How to Write Better Stories
• Ep. 95: How to Start Writing Your Sci-Fi or Fantasy Novel
• STORY by Robert Mckee
• The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne

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