An acquisitions editor's first task is to determine if a manuscript holds their attention and delivers on its promises.
The Story Grid helps writers map out their stories and ensure they have all necessary elements and a solid structure.
Using the Story Grid methodology, writers can gauge the effectiveness of their stories by observing friends' reactions to their story setups.
Deep dives
The goal of the podcast
The main goal of this podcast is to help listeners become better writers by providing insights and guidance on storytelling and writing. The host, Tim Grall, is an aspiring fiction writer who engages in conversations with Sean Coyne, the author of the Story Grid book. They discuss various aspects of storytelling, including how to tell a good story, different parts of a story, elements from the Story Grid, and examples from beloved books.
The role of an editor
Sean Coyne explains the role of an editor, specifically an acquisitions editor, in the publishing industry. Acquisitions editors are responsible for finding new books to publish. They build relationships with agents and actively seek out book submissions. When a manuscript arrives, the editor's first task is to read it for pleasure, putting aside analytical and critical skills. They need to determine if the book holds their attention and delivers on its promises. If the book is engaging and meets the required standards, the editor can then analyze and fix global story problems in the editing process.
The concept of the Story Grid
The Story Grid is a tool and framework created by Sean Coyne to help writers analyze and craft their stories effectively. It emphasizes the importance of following specific story structures and genres. The central idea of the Story Grid is that each story falls into certain forms or structures and has obligatory scenes that must be included to engage and satisfy readers. These obligatory scenes vary depending on the genre, and fulfilling them is crucial for a story to work. The Story Grid helps writers map out their stories, ensuring they have all the necessary elements and are structurally sound.
Testing story effectiveness
To gauge the effectiveness of a story, Sean Coyne suggests using the Story Grid methodology. Writers can set up individual meetings with friends and share their story setups, focusing on the beginning hook and ending payoff. By observing their friends' reactions and engagement, writers can identify whether their story is compelling. This method allows writers to test their storytelling skills and evaluate if the inciting incident, progressive complications, crises, climaxes, and resolutions are engaging and coherent. This approach offers valuable feedback before investing extensive time and effort in writing the full story.
The writer's attitude towards their work
Sean Coyne advises writers to focus on enjoying the craft of storytelling and to be open to learning and developing their skills. Writers should not worry about living up to theoretical ideals or catering to market trends. Instead, they should concentrate on the messages or themes they want to convey through their stories. Writing should be driven by personal fulfillment, creating elegant narratives that move and resonate with readers. Regardless of external recognition or financial success, writers can find satisfaction in engaging with characters, ideas, and the process of storytelling itself.
How can you become a better writer? Join Shawn Coyne, a bestselling editor with 25+ years experience, and Tim Grahl as they dive into the craft of story telling.
In this episode we discuss how publishing works and what an editor does, along with what the Story Grid is and how it can make you a better writer.
