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The safe path of story

Don’t forget to explore.

David Gane
David Gane
— 1 min read

When we’re starting our writing journey, it’s a wide-open field, and we can go anywhere.

Yet, the terrain is rough, and there are a lot of mud holes to get stuck in.

That’s where a guide such as story structure can come in handy. It can keep us safe and show us the way to the other side.

However, falling into the groove and forgetting to explore is easy. And the longer we stay in it, the riskier it feels to try something new.

But if you were once adventurous with your writing, I encourage you to experiment and step off the path. Abandon the safety of story structure occasionally and discover what untravelled trails and unknown adventures are out there.

The truth is that once we find the path, it’s easy to locate it again. The more challenging part is being comfortable straying from it and not learning what else is out there.

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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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