Pixar Storytelling Tip #22

Welcome to the FINAL INSTALLMENT of my series on Pixar’s now-famous 22 Rules of Storytelling. I don’t religiously follow all of these like they’re story commandments, but I do happen to agree with many of them. I thought it might be fun to examine why and explain what each means to me. You can start at the beginning here.

Another tip, another repeat. This time, Tip #5.

I’m going to use this time to reinforce the importance of outlining. If you start with the skeleton of your story, and only the skeleton, then it’s a lot harder to write yourself into a corner. You won’t have any useless characters. You shouldn’t have any dangling plot threads. Even better, you will truly understand what your story is about.

It’s fine to add substance and flavor and meat after that. By that point, you’ll know what is important, and you’ll waste less time writing.

All good lists must come to an end, and this one has. (That’s a relief!)

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