#128: What Are Obligatory Scenes And Conventions?

“When a story doesn't include these key scenes and conventions of its genre, it's just not going to work.” - Savannah Gilbo Want a framework for your entire story? Learn what readers expect from a story like yours, and then use these obligatory scenes and conventions as a framework to craft a story that works. Read the blog post here! Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:47] What are obligatory scenes and conventions (and why are they important)? [06:58] 3 steps to finding the obligatory scenes and conventions for your story's genre. [10:31] Savannah breaks out most of the required scenes and conventions, which you can download by visiting the blog post for this episode. [13:58] How to handle the obligatory scenes and conventions of your subplots vs. the main storyline. [16:51] Final thoughts: If you don’t do the work to understand your genre, you’ll have a hard time getting your books into the hands of readers. And without readers, your story will never be experienced. That’s a terrible thought, right? To avoid this, know your genre and give your readers what they’re expecting in a new and exciting way. Give them the emotional experience they’re looking for, and you’ll earn loyal fans for life. Links mentioned in this episode: Ep. 2: Understanding Genre: How to Write Better Stories Ep. 95: How to Start Writing Your Sci-Fi or Fantasy Novel STORY by Robert Mckee The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Support the show