10 Mistakes Killing Your Story and How to Avoid Them

Storytelling is a game of psychology.

But over the past 5 years, I’ve made every mistake in the book.

Now, I collect those mistakes so I don’t make them again.

Here are 10 mistakes killing your story — and how to avoid them: pic.twitter.com/zWqNwn41Ie

— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 6, 2023

I’ve written 3 novels. Each, slightly better than the last.

But why should YOU care about storytelling?

It’s the essence of communication.

Want to persuade? Tell a story.
Want to entertain? Tell a story.
Want to inform? Tell a story.

Without further ado…

— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 6, 2023

Mistake 1: Providing context before the hook

Look at the order in the first 2 tweets.

The hook brings you in, then I provide context on why I’m believable and why you should care.

If that’s flipped, you’re not reading this.

— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 6, 2023

M2: Not learning from the best

“Read everything — trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it.” — William Faulkner

If you want to write well:

1. Read a lot
2. Write a lot

My…

— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 6, 2023

M3: Ignoring open loops

Open loops are unanswered questions that you promise to answer later in the story.

Answer some immediately, save some answers for the end.

Try to always have one open.

— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 6, 2023

M4: Going too fast

At the height of your story, grind everything to a halt.

It’s called the ‘Hourglass Technique.’

Add description. Get a little wordy. Force your audience to wait for the payoff.

Make them hang on your every word.

— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 6, 2023

M5: Focusing too little on the hook

It doesn’t matter how incredible the rest of your story is if nobody sticks around for it.

A few guidelines:
• Punchy
• Short
• “Big if true”

To see great hooks in action, check this out: https://t.co/nsVKi0LKdo

— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 6, 2023

M6: Not capturing your story ideas

You have story-worthy moments every day but forget almost all of them. Simple fix:

• Create a two column spreadsheet (date and story)

• Before bed, take two minutes to write the best story from that day

You start seeing stories everywhere.

— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 6, 2023

M7: Ignoring structure

Structure your story Humans gravitate to structure. Luckily there are tons to wrap around your story:

• Hero’s Journey
• StoryBrand
• Three Act

My go-to is “Promise, Progress, Payoff.” pic.twitter.com/EL1FkoDl4l

— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 6, 2023

M8: Talking to everyone

Great stories aren’t told to everyone.

They’re told to the specific group of people who will resonate most with them.

The idea of “1000 true fans.”

— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 6, 2023

M9: Worrying about grammar

“The object of fiction isn’t grammatical correctness but to make the reader welcome and then tell a story.” — Stephen King

The emotion you elicit is more important than your grammar.

— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 6, 2023

M10: Not practicing delivery and rhythm

Whether writing or speaking, your presence makes a difference.

Spend that extra time perfecting your word choice, varying your cadence.

Make your words sing.

Gold: pic.twitter.com/MZGIb0Iweb

— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 6, 2023

Most storytelling advice sucks.

But the good stuff is worth its weight in gold.

I put together a list of the 25 best tips and resources to help you become a better storyteller.

You can grab that here → https://t.co/hr8eQKUMaD

— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 6, 2023

Tldr — 10 mistakes:

1. Providing context before the hook
2. Not learning from the best
3. Ignoring open loops
4. Going too fast
5. Focusing too little on the hook
6. Not capturing your story ideas
7. Ignoring structure
8. Talking to everyone
9. Worrying about grammar
10. Not…

— Nathan Baugh (@nathanbaugh27) June 6, 2023