Skip to content

Nobody knows anything...still

The rule still applies.

David Gane
David Gane
1 min read

Almost forty years ago, William Goldman wrote:

Nobody knows anything... Not one person in the entire motion picture field knows for a certainty what's going to work. Every time out it's a guess and, if you're lucky, an educated one.

It still applies.

Everyone has advice—something that has likely worked for someone. I have plenty of opinions, and I share them here and with my students.

But for everything someone tells you, there's likely an opposing viewpoint. And for the person that explains it, it is equally valid.

Because there are no rules, you can try anything and everything. It's the beauty of storytelling.

But...

You may need to learn some rules to make a living off your writing.

Most audiences have expectations. Something that rhymes with something else—or else is completely counter to it.

Therefore you may have to understand that particular thing and work on it.

Of course, I might not know anything, so good luck.

Blog

David Gane Twitter

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

Comments


Related Posts

Members Public

What's it for?

Seth Godin recently asked two questions in a blog post: "Who's it for? What's it for?" When writing, do you know who it's for? It doesn't have to be an audience with a capital "A." It doesn't have to be for any audience; it can be for just you. But

Members Public

Journey with your characters

Most people can't have the whole story in their heads. Too many pieces, too many moving parts. That doesn't mean you must plan it out. Once your character's story takes shape, then begin. Allow yourself to be surprised and adapt, and let your imagination take you on a journey. That

Members Public

The lies our characters tell themselves

Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon tells the story of a priest and woodcutter trying to understand a murder by listening to the testimonies of the multiple people involved. Ultimately, they struggle to find the truth amongst the lies. A similar type of story occurs within each of us. We tell ourselves multiple