3 Storytelling Skills Every Bestselling Author Masters

[@julianmaylett]

💡 If you have any questions about today’s storytelling framework, drop them below and I’ll respond to every one! 👉 And join the newsletter: shorturl.at/DEbUa 📚✨

[@emilleoandresen]

Taking the three-act structure and rebranding it as the pillars of storytelling is a great way to sell people something they can get for free. Just change a few words and no one will notice.

[@julianmaylett]

Hey Emil, totally get where you’re coming from! I haven’t touched on story structure just yet, but hopefully, in the next videos of this series, you’ll see how this framework could add value to your writing journey. That said, if the 3-act structure helps you reach your goals, then by all means, stick with it :)

[@DEGrayIII]

Exactly what I was thinking @emilleoandresen

[@odconstant]

Robert McKee called. He wants his Progressive Complications back.

[@julianmaylett]

Got the same call from Sanderson too - but he’ll have to wait. Snyder and Brody are on lines 2 and 3, both wanting the Climax and Resolution back. Busy day!

[@capitalisa]

I really don't know why the comments are so harshly critical. There is nothing new under the sun. Yes, understood. But this man is bringing his own voice to these ideas which may resonate with an individual who is struggling with a manuscript. Why do people keep writing self- help books? They all say basically the same thing, right? Calm down and leave this man alone. He's harming no one, as far as I can see.

[@julianmaylett]

Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comment - it really means a lot! 😊 You’re absolutely right: frameworks aren’t about reinventing the wheel. Wished all the people who liked the video had left a comment too 😄 but negative comments are part of the game! And as you said, if using a different framework or lens can help a struggling writer to get unstuck with their manuscript, then that's motivation enough to keep sharing more about it. Thanks again for the nice words - it’s really encouraging as I'm currently editing the next video of this series!

[@sabrinadrink697]

What an amazing writing advice! I am currently a seventeen year old aspiring author who was struggling a bit with my plotting. You showed storytelling tips in a clear, straightforward way not many can achieve. Now you have earned another follower😄

[@julianmaylett]

Super glad you found it helpful and more importantly insightful :) what's your WIP about?

[@sabrinadrink697]

​@@julianmaylett well, It is about a girl who wants answers about the mystery of her mother's death and gets transported to a magic land by accident. Then, she discovers that resolving that mystery might also be the key to not only understand the magic, but also the only way to save it. I'm actually really enthusiastic with it and it's been 6 months of plotting. My dream is to become a successful writer in the future 😊

[@julianmaylett]

Amazing! I'd say, focus on the protagonist's internal conflict, and then use it to fuel the plot. Part 2 of this series will dive more on how to do just that :) your dream is closer than you think so keep going! and enjoy the plotting of your novel, it's one of the most exciting parts of the process (at least for me 😊)

[@sabrinadrink697]

@@julianmaylett thank you so much!!

[@julianmaylett]

@@sabrinadrink697 Hey Sabrina, I wanted to ask you : if you haven't watch No Good Deed, was the example in the video clear enough? It's always hard to pick recent examples to add even more value to the video when not everyone necessarily knows about it. So it'd be super helpful to know, as I'm working on Part 2 of this series :)

[@bethlondonart]

I wonder what it is about your video that has so many riled up? Reading the comments, it seems you've ripped off more people than you have pillars. I think it's a nice video and harms no one. I'll look forward to watching more.

[@julianmaylett]

Thanks so much for the encouragement - it really means a lot! 😊 I think part of the backlash comes from a misunderstanding of what a framework is, as well as the examples I used to illustrate the concepts. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the next episode of this series (currently putting the finishing touches on it)! :)

[@futurevoid4261]

I unknowingly followed this six story pillar structure.

[@julianmaylett]

Great - it means you already have strong Storytelling foundations! Keep in mind that this video provides a general overview of the Storytelling Pillars. When it comes to Story Structure, these pillars operate at six different levels of application. Super excited to dive deeper in the upcoming videos, where you'll discover how each pillar evolves depending on its level of application 😊

[@laquonl]

The beats I use are similar, I just start with Establish Goal(their deepest desire), Inciting Incident, Raising Conflict, Turning Point, Crisis Moment, Climax, and Resolution. This can be tweaked to outline a fight, conversation, scene, etc as you said.

[@julianmaylett]

Do you establish their inner need(s) at the start as well? Yes these are pretty straightforward and we’ll actually be diving deeper into these in the next video of this series-excited to share more soon!

[@Horneciu]

I came here and see 421K subscribers well good, deserved... Wait, what? Amazing channel, so it is honor to be one of the first in here. Very interesting approach to storytelling not just another "I will show you 3act one-two-three" writing channel.

[@julianmaylett]

421K, imagine! 😄 Thank you so much for joining and supporting the channel (and for being an OG member!). I’m really glad my approach resonates with you - it took me years to develop this framework, and I can’t wait to share even more in the next episode. I think it’ll be even more helpful!

[@devasjo]

Thank god! I thought my story is weird since i can't fit it into the 3 Acts or 4Acts. But it makes sense when i use it through your story pillars! Now, I'm soo glad to edit it as it is! Thank you so much!

[@julianmaylett]

Hey! Your story can have as many acts or parts as it needs :) The Storytelling Pillars framework is designed to free you from those constraints while helping you craft a coherent and captivating novel. I’m glad it helped! In the next video, I’ll dive deeper into how the framework works, so feel free to share any questions you have then!

[@johnphares3358]

Just use the heros journey, or Dan Harmons story circle. The 6 pillars is the same thing with fewer steps.

[@julianmaylett]

The Hero’s Journey is a good starting point, but I’ve found it can feel a bit limiting sometimes - especially with its fewer steps and its focus on a male hero, which doesn’t work for every story. The 6 Pillars are a bit more flexible and have 6 levels of application, which I’ll dive into in the next episode :) It should be out this week, so hopefully, you’ll find it helpful or even pick up a few tweaks to use in your current approach!

[@ВеселыйЛимон-ы2с]

Thanks a lot ❤

[@julianmaylett]

You’re welcome! If you have any questions about the rest of the series, feel free to let me know :)

[@Drudenfusz]

What you call pillars is usually called story beats, and those are nothing new.

[@julianmaylett]

Story Beats can mean different things to different people. For instance, for me Beats are descriptive actions in dialogues - similar to what they call "Beats" in acting. As long as you understand the theory behind it, and are able to structure and write your novel and get your desired results, then all good 😊 I clarified in the video that the Storytelling Pillars are only my way to deconstruct complex concepts. Part 2 will be about the levels of application so maybe you'll see how they differ from your understanding of beats.

[@barilian]

And those are usually intergrated in the 3 act structure too. Maybe he is trying to convey that you don't need to think about them as to be fixed at any point of the story (that you can play with them a little bit), but yeah it's not like turning the world upside down or anything.

[@julianmaylett]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Raos! This first video is all about laying the groundwork for the series. The Storytelling Pillars are a framework I designed to balance plotters and pantsers-something flexible to play around with, as you perfectly put it! I get the appeal of the 3-act structure, but I find it a bit dated for today’s stories. That said, if it works for you, that’s what matters most! It’s always fun to explore new approaches, take bits that resonate, and see what makes your story better. At the end of the day, it’s all about what works for you. Thanks for chiming in-hope you’ll check out part 2! 😊

[@Cotfi2]

Druden must be one of them "geniuses" you mention! Wowie wow! How lucky we are that he graced us with his knowledge!

[@Drudenfusz]

@@Cotfi2 Her knowledge. If you don't know, maybe use they/them instead? And no, I would not call myself a genius, that is has too much of a male ego stench to it.

[@cateo]

Nice video, high quality! Good luck 😊

[@julianmaylett]

Thanks a lot, it's super nice to hear positive feedback - it's what keeps me going! Looking forward to sharing Part 2 later this week 😊

[@timothylines58]

I immediately love your channel, it's as informative as Jed Herne's channel! Subscribed!

[@julianmaylett]

Thanks Timothy! That's a great compliment, Jed's channel is really good! I'm writing a thriller so there won't be much fantasy-centred content - primarily storytelling theory and techniques that can be applied to any genre. Hope that's okay! Are you writing mainly fantasy? What's your WIP about?

[@timothylines58]

@@julianmaylettThat's exactly what appealed to me while watching this video. I think storytelling elements transcend genre and it's important to familiarize oneself with story structure outside of the genre they're writing. I am primarily a fantasy writer and have been working on my novel since Sept. 2023. I've repurposed the plot several times while I was in school (8th grade through college) for short stories. It wasn't until late 2023 that I decided to expand and attempt a full-scale novel! The overarching plot is three competing factions whose leaders are intertwined to alter the fate of the source of magic within their world: either through its protection, manipulation, or destruction.

[@julianmaylett]

@@timothylines58 Hey Timothy! Absolutely, and you'll see that Storytelling goes beyond Story Structure so I can't wait to share more with you on the topic! Okay so you've been brewing the story for quite some time, then! It sounds really cool: three leaders, three destinies...

[@BelaMalak-u7x]

OMG this video is soo underrated!!

[@julianmaylett]

Thank you! Currently working on the next video for this series - can't wait to hear your thoughts!

[@nathanwall2808]

Great advice on what to focus on for a synopsis

[@julianmaylett]

Actually in this series I'll show you how to use these Storytelling Pillars to craft compelling and captivating synopses and blurbs! First, you'll need to understand the different levels of application and how these Pillars differ depending on their level - but that video is coming soon! 😊

[@Melyssxxi]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@julianmaylett]

Super happy you found it helpful! Currently working on Part 2, it should be ready for this week :) in the meantime, let me know if you have any question on the theory!

[@viktoriavadon2222]

Uuuh, none of these are secrets? These are taught all over authortube. 1st skill is character arc, 2nd skill is story structure. Many authors and/or coaches teach those for free, and in fact many even explain how to structure a story in a way to align the character's internal journey with the external plot beats. The 3rd you didn't detail and so it's a mystery box, but I have a feeling it's just gonna be scene structure/mini arcs/pacing, again may go by a million different names, but it's the same concept. Let me say, you don't have to reinvent the wheel to be a succesful coach. First, implying you have to entirely unique and original to be worthwhile just sends the wrong message to writers, makes them feel like they must write something entirely new and never seen before. Which is impossible, and not required. Their story will be worthwhile as long as they cook up a new combination from the story soup and put their unique style into it. Second, as pointed out above, you're using different words, but you're teaching already well known stuff. There's no need to lie and say you're the only one who can teach these things..... that smells like a scam. Either you are intentionally lying, or you are just ignorant and have no clue what knowledge is out there. Either one would reflect very poorly on you. edit: forgot to say, since these techniques are in no way secrets, it's not only writing geniues who use them. They are more or less expected to be picked up by publishing. But sadly, they do not guarantee being published, let alone besteller status. It's false marketing to position them in this way.

[@julianmaylett]

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! I really appreciate your detailed comment, and I’d love to clarify a few things 😊 First off, you’re absolutely right that this video might feel basic to more advanced writers - and that’s because it’s the first in a series. It’s meant to lay the foundation for more complex concepts I’ll cover in future episodes. I understand if it feels oversimplified for someone with more experience, but I hope the series as a whole will bring value, no matter where someone is on their writing journey. On the point about frameworks and originality: I never claimed to reinvent the wheel. The Storytelling Pillars are simply a framework I developed to help writers I work with. By definition, a framework is a way to organize existing ideas or knowledge in a way that makes them easier to understand or reveals new insights. People use and create frameworks all the time for this reason - because they’re helpful and provide a new lens to view complex topics. If this framework doesn’t resonate with you, that’s totally fine! Stick with the methods that work best for you. Not all writers are the same, and what works for one person might not work for another. As for your concern about dishonesty or scams: my goal is to share insights and tools that can help writers connect with their readers and improve their craft, while also making storytelling concepts more accessible. As far as I'm concerned, KZbin videos are available for free. Thanks again for engaging so thoughtfully! Hope you’ll stick around to see how the series evolves. Who knows - you might find something useful in the upcoming episodes!

[@b3rrier383]

0:01 did you really just push on a pull door

[@julianmaylett]

Oh, whoa! I didn’t even notice that! I had to look at the intro again 😂 You really have an eye for detail!

[@BookClubDisaster]

The Fifty Shades Of Gray author is a "genius"?

[@julianmaylett]

The critics didn’t seem to think she was a prose genius 😄 - and that’s exactly the point: having years of experience honing your prose isn’t the only way to successfully share your story with the world and connect with your readers. Don't know about you but it feels hopeful.

[@BookClubDisaster]

@@julianmaylett I see your point. But personally if I think someone is bad on a sentence level I almost don't care about anything else at that point.

[@julianmaylett]

@@BookClubDisaster Totally fair! That’s the magic of readers - everyone values different things, whether it’s the prose, the tropes, or the emotional connection. Makes storytelling so fascinating, doesn’t it? :)

[@DaltonKevinM]

0:53 WTF is that?! BTW, I'm multilingual. What languages IS your program in?

[@julianmaylett]

The program is currently in Beta version in French - if you speak French (first, well done hahah it is not an easy language 😅) then you might be interested. Otherwise it'll be available in English soon :)

[@DaltonKevinM]

@@julianmaylett I speak Spanish. I could probably get by if there's subtitles. But my achille's heel at the moment is not prose - it's length. I just get to the end too quickly to compose something I can market as a novel. And I refuse to be a short story only guy

[@julianmaylett]

There are subtitles indeed - I wanted to ensure it would be accessible to everyone! Plus, since it is a program and not just an online course, I coach the members every week and answer all their questions individually :) but I'd feel more comfortable for you to join the English program as you'd probably get even more value and help from it. Feel free to join the newsletter, I'll send updates on there.

[@matteabrown195]

50 Shades of Grey?? The reason it sold well is because its smut.

[@julianmaylett]

Could it be more complex than that? It’s definitely a factor, but I think there’s more to its success worth exploring.

[@matteabrown195]

@@julianmaylett nah

[@matteabrown195]

but I really liked ur video though!

[@julianmaylett]

haha, well thank you - really appreciate it :)

[@dukeofdenver]

As others have said, your story pillars are just a rebranded form of three act structure. Why you would claim ownership of that, I don't know 😂

[@julianmaylett]

Hope you caught my responses too! The Storytelling Pillars aren’t about story structure, but hopefully, the next videos in the series will give you the full picture. Who knows… maybe you’ll find the framework insightful after all 😉

[@λιμινιλ]

You didn’t invent these “pillars.” You are partially ripping of Frank Daniel’s “eight sequence method” (which many have ripped off before you. You claim Harry Potter isn’t 3 acts, but it is. What a fail. The sequences are built into the 3 acts. I would say you don’t understand your own system, where it comes from, and what you’re fighting against. You also don’t realize what you’re missing, but you’re trying to give advice. Hard fail.

[@julianmaylett]

You’re absolutely right - as I mentioned in the video, the Storytelling Pillars are a framework I developed to make complex (already existing) storytelling ideas more accessible. Since this is the first video in the series, it’s meant to lay the foundation for the more intricate parts of the framework. Hopefully with this series, you'll see how breaking down Harry Potter with a different approach can provide deeper insights into crafting stories that truly resonate with your readers.

[@ng67432]

Another one who "helps" people with stuff he doesn't or can't do himself. LOL

[@julianmaylett]

Appreciate the skepticism! Only sharing what I’ve learned from coaching authors, studying storytelling, and wrestling with my own novel-in-progress. If the next videos in this series help you or other aspiring authors even a little, then that’s what truly matters to me. Thanks for stopping by - and here’s to a better day tomorrow!

[@Ihsaan_ASMR]

Most book editors aren't writers..

[@julianmaylett]

@ True, and yet they're still very helpful and insightful!

[@victormaranhaorocha8601]

You have no idea what you are talking about

[@julianmaylett]

Sounds like it’s been a rough day - hope things look up for you soon 🙏