If you're familiar with the hero's journey story structure, you're well aware of what lies at the bottom of it -- a nasty, unhappy miasma of gloom, misery, and yes, despair. The Save the Cat method has the similar 'all is lost moment.' No matter what it's called, it's that place the hero goes when... Continue Reading →
The Victim Villain: How Should We Portray Evil?
Ah... the misunderstood villain. The guy who murders and steals and blows things up because he had a rough childhood. It's becoming a bit of a cliche these days. Can horrible life circumstances change personalities and behaviors? Sure. Every writer knows that your villain must have a backstory of some sort, because a guy who... Continue Reading →

