Going Deep, by Shawn Coyne

From http://www.storygrid.com/going-deep Why do I make a distinction between external and internal content genres? The reason why is that today’s storytellers, especially long form television writers and series novelists, must have both components of genre content to make their work compelling and sustainable over six or seven years of series television or ten to fifteen series novels. There are exceptions of course, but if you wish to create a story that has… Read More

Genre Obligatory Scenes, by Shawn Coyle and others

Romance The Cute Meet:Meeting the each other is an unusual, even life-changing event, or occurs during some life-changing event. (If they knew each other long ago, this is replaced by an Unexpected Reunion. Sometimes, the Cute Meet is included too, as a prologue or a flashback.) The External Problem:Something outside the heroine and hero keeps them apart. The Internal Problem:Some internal wound keeps the heroine and hero apart. The Draw:Despite the problems, something… Read More

Why Genre Matters, by Cathy Yardley

From http://writerunboxed.com/2014/09/30/why-genre-matters I view reading with the same gusto that I view eating. Genres are my “food moods.” Sometimes, I want the comfort of a keeper read, a funny romantic comedy. Sometimes, I want the caffeinated buzz of a twisty thriller. I consume it like a glutton at a buffet: a plate full of women’s fiction with a side of cozy mystery, then a helping of literary fiction nestled next to a… Read More