Mat's Notes on Narrative

What makes a story good?

1. You use the personal pronoun “I”

2. Start in the moment “I am sitting”

3. Setting up the setting

4. Create “suspense”

5. People details

6. Specific movements

7. use voice

8. “interior monologue” – “How bureaucratic of the American government to work that way,” I thought.

9. Dialogue – what people actually say and HOW they actually say it

• Conventions

Steve said, “How are you?”

“I’m fine,” Joe replied.

“Cool.”

“Yeah.” He checked his watch.

The two gentleman bla;alkhfdg;lkasdjfg;lkasjdf;lksjda;flkjsad;lfkjsad;lkfj;saldkfj;sldakjf;lsda sfkldjgsfdl;kjgs;dflkgj;sldfkjg;lsfkjg

10. Specific details

1. Explode the Moment” – pivot, turn, or important thing

• Sensory detail “overload”

• Effect of slowing down time

1. Keep scope small

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