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Change and control

David Gane
David Gane

For me, two things define most stories: change and control.

Characters' worlds change around them. New discoveries, events, and situations arise, and the characters must find a solution.

This solution often centers around control. Either we must learn to adapt to regain control, or we force control upon the world.

Both can occur inside of them or out. They can be their actions or their responses. And they can be a little bit of all of it.

But if you seek out what is changing in your characters' worlds and how they seek to control it, you'll find your story's heart.

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David Gane

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Co-writer of the Shepherd and Wolfe young adult mysteries, the internationally award-winning series, and teacher of storytelling and screenwriting.

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