Buts aren’t just for sitting

“And then…” is the enemy of a good story. “Therefore” and “But…” are your friends. South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker break it down…

Get More:
www.mtvu.com

Video via TheAFW.com.

Think about it, it’s a simple rule, but it means things are happening for a reason. Apply this and it will insure that your stories aren’t just a series of events jammed together, but that one scene leads to the next and so on as your characters are forced to act and react based on the plot’s events. Just adding stuff for the sake of filling time or page space is bad practice. Adding stuff just because is just as bad. Placing your characters in situations that force them to react is much better.

Try it out. Take any story—one you’ve written or one you’re watching/reading—and note how situations where “therefore…” and “but…” can be used to explain the transition between scenes instead “And then…” are almost always better and lead to more enjoyable and engaging stories.

Similar Posts:

Share