Beginner's Guide To Writing A Story - Tony DuShane

[@billysavage7690]

It’s just a matter of action. If there’s anything I’ve learned so far in my 22 years, it’s definitely to take action and let the momentum follow. Everything else will find it’s place.

[@deandreglover1158]

Definitely jus was thinking about this statement the other night while I wrote.

[@unstoppableExodia]

LoL I’ve been working on a particular story for nearly as long as you’ve been alive 😛

[@jeandielbueno1073]

Thank you Billy

[@athena5002]

i feel like this isn’t good advice though. yes u have to actually write to get a story. but not knowing how to structure a story or write good characters or stuff like that is going to lead to a bad story. not everything comes natural to everyone and saying you’ll learn everything yourself and everything will come into place is kinda a cop out. no disrespect though just wanted to share my opinion. there’s a reason people look up “how to write a story” lmao

[@kaufmanat1]

@@athena5002 yes but it's better to learn while writing than to learn and not write... Establish the habit. That's the hardest part of any activity you want to improve in.

[@happymaskedguy1943]

There is no prescriptive process. You have to start writing and keep writing, try different things, always experiment, read widely, note whenever something catches your attention and imagination. Write what makes you excited, try to surprise yourself. Everything else is phooey. Forget about getting published. Forget about imaginary book deals, interviews and awards. None of that shit matters. All that matters is you, your imagination, and whatever you choose to write with. Dive into your own imagination, because no one else in the world can.

[@victoriaromero6472]

I just want you to know I wrote your comment in my film notes. Great words

[@sheepstarimojo4146]

@@mceucalyptuzkz you often dont realize the flaws unkess you say them outloud

[@goldiekoi935]

I don’t care about money, fame or awards. I just want at-least a few people to look back on what I wrote and made 10-20 years later and have nostalgia like I do for good pieces of work.

[@mingoroballo]

This comments second paragraph really just called me out 😂. Thank you for that though shows me I’m on the right path.

[@paradoxcomix9492]

2:00 This sounds just like my favorite saying about writing in the world... "There is only one story: Somebody wants something, and they're having trouble getting it."

[@alexalexis7899]

What Tony mentions towards the end of the video is of paramount importance: the need to find your process. Once you find your process everything else starts falling into place. It is shocking how film and art schools, workshops and books don’t focus on this or even bother to mention it given the magnitude of its importance. It’s the cornerstone of everything else.

[@azazelthefallen3380]

100%!!! It's now becoming apparent to me more and more as I'm digging deeper and deeper into it. It's all about the process or style or format of organising our ideas, emotions, events, and all kinds of information. Do you have any tips or suggestions on that?

[@cambuxton6835]

Best advice I know to start writing is to do just that. Start writing. Practice doing it the right way first with short sentences. Then begin writing very short stories, or poetry, or whatever style of writing you choose to write in. I started out writing with a pen and paper. Then as my skills advance and technology changed, I went higher tech and started writing with an ibm computer. Eventually I upgraded to laptops. But you can start and keep going with a simple pen and paper. No rules in hobby writing that state you have to change. But if you want to go professional stick with a computer or laptop and writing software like Microsoft word. Good luck out there folks.👍

[@hamzashah2852]

Hey man I know this is late but I’m having trouble just starting you know what I mean? What should I do as a beginner what do I write about is there some type of exercise you would recommend like I’m sitting in my room with paper and a pen in hand but I don’t know what I should write I keep thinking should I describe my room some sort of story?

[@Pacolad]

I like how she described the coffee pots in old diners as "ancient". That part reminds me earlier in the video where he said "we're made to tell stories".

[@nordinreecendo512]

I've had what I believe to be a great story idea in my head for six years now; I can vividly see the twist that serves at the foundational piece, but I can't see the journey there. I hope this serves as my first step to getting to that point.

[@thewindisblowing7520]

Good luck to you man. I don't know how, but I know I wanna tell some awesome stories someday.

[@xbLaZeDaMoLiShAx]

right, like I'm legit interested in hearing this story

[@huntersuhonen1622]

@@xbLaZeDaMoLiShAx Same I'd legit be interested in talking about my ideas and hearing other peoples ideas. I saw a comment saying that someone has been creating this universe for 18 years and they have thought deeply about each character background and even the plants on each planet. They said they have been writing about it for the past 3 years now.

[@xbLaZeDaMoLiShAx]

@@huntersuhonen1622 facebook or ig?? I'm currently starting a story but I have to no real story yet I'd love to workshop with

[@bellw5834]

YOU GOT THIS! I was in the same place and I hated seeing online to just write but oh my gosh it's so true! All I had was the middle/end of the first arc and the beginning and end of the last arc of my story. The story has gone through so many stupid stages from fnaf to my little pony and those two ideas (and great TV shows) inspired the story I'm working on rn. What I did to get myself to write is figure out how many books I want for each part. Arc one is going to have 2-3 books and arc 2 is going to have 3-4 of not more books. I also "decided" what is going to be side stories that can be in it's own book and what side stories are going to cross over into the main story. And some side stories are super boring or not what I want so I change it up a bit to go with the main story. For example I have my main story with a rebel force who is hiding in a nature over run wasteland and I have a detective. The main story is getting there but the only bit of story I had for the detective is that he has a toxic wife that is slowly realizing she is a dong. So what I did was have the detective deal with murders that are tied to the rebel group (or is it hehehe) Now I have the main story and a side story that has a detective trying to solve murders that are some how tied to the rebels. But the rebels aren't evil people in the main story so now I needed a way to show the detective that the rebels aren't the guilty ones. So now I have a detective with a toxic wife that is investigating murders done by a gang who is using people to make drugs and he finds out his wife would be used to make those drugs so there has to be a way to protect her. The only solution is! To join the rebel army or make his own! This has helped me a lot and I have two side stories that are going to be a part of the first and second arc. And a few that might stay their own story. I realized this form of "fixing" my main story thru reading Brent week's "night angel trilogy" (on book 2 I love it lol) And the way he formats his story is almost exactly how I want my story to format except with a few less characters. Some people say to write a book you'd like reading and honestly I agree but you have to keep in mind you already know how the story ends and what the characters look like or what their mentally is. So you need to pick at the story a bit more so it makes sense with no other context.

[@TheDumontShow]

Tony DuShane is every articulate in what he is saying. He is absolutely right. You can't be bogged down by the books. I have been doing that. Sometimes, the books over explain everything. Tony is giving to you straight. I get what he is saying. My fear has always been just writing the story out. Like I have a true writing talent but it's my belief in it being good that holds me back sometimes

[@lowlowseesee]

This guy is a wealth of knowledge and funny as hell

[@jaredolsen5143]

As far as being at peace goes, I both agree and disagree. For me external noise bothers me and interferes with the writing. When I'm alone, though, I can drive deeper into my own psychology, and disturb my mind. That's generally where I've found my strongest scenes. I think in public I'm too accustomed to covering up emotion and putting on a good face to explore good writing. Everyone has their quirks.

[@j.f.fisher5318]

omg that greatest job interview writing exercise has so much story popping into my head that I'd never thought I'd come up with. I don't think it even matters what youd be doing it is just getting into the headspace of wanting something that much and then letting natural paranoia come up with all the ways the world could try to keep you from getting it.

[@OneDapperFrog]

Who else is watching this to procrastinate writing their own story?

[@huntersuhonen1622]

ooo I'd love to hear about your story in like a sentence or three. I have been creating a story for about 3 years now. It's not that impressive but I have re thought of many scenes and those scenes are what are incredible.

[@OneDapperFrog]

@@huntersuhonen1622 I think I changed projects awhile ago, but I can currently working on a dark fantasy story about the Witch Knights, a dark order of grim warriors who fight for the greater good. Over the course of the story, they will battle the Disciples of Grash'naar, a cult of undeath.

[@BaDbOy-wj1ii]

​@@OneDapperFrog you spoiled it😭

[@bluepizzaon3438]

me lol

[@leschroder7773]

Right now you're speaking truth

[@salomemedina8261]

what i've learned in one day trying to write a story is that you just need to go with the flow, Because at first You don't have anything ready

[@Acinica]

Tony has such a warm smile.

[@hudsonlane7468]

Where can I take Tony’s class?!He seems like a great teacher- very liberating and unpretentious

[@nowhere7007]

There should be beginners for every stage in writer's life.

[@kuri190]

I love this interviewer♥️

[@filmcourage]

What is the greatest job in the world you could ever have? (One that you would love to work at for 8 hours every day?)

[@kieranhealy8279]

Fight aliens in outer space

[@harrysecombegroupie]

Writing great stories.

[@YEDxFILMS]

There’s genuinely no job that I would love to do for 8 hrs str8. There are things I’d love to do, but 8 hrs str8 is tiresome. It’s something you’d have to do but it’s not ideal

[@Rise876]

@@YEDxFILMS I think it's more about generating a great want in the writer, not so much about it needing to be a real job. So you could even pick something like sleeping, if you wanted! Sleeping for eight hours wouldn't be a problem 😁

[@christscrackers647]

I would love to work on an animated series of my own as a professional showrunner for 8 hours a day. That honestly is my ultimate dream. I even have my own personal developed stories that i've made into on-going series that would make great cartoons for both eastern AND western audiences. If I could make that happen I'd be happy, no matter how difficult it'd be.

[@stuartcarmichael1305]

Great idea for a story! Great exercise.

[@gibransalazar7769]

Banger. Thanks

[@MR3DDev]

This is why I love this channel

[@JGVIllustrations]

I 100% agree about diners! I love the magic of diners

[@valentineromance240]

Thank you for the advice master

[@_Yombo]

Master is crazy 💀

[@lucillekluivert343]

IT FIRST STARTS IN THE MIND AND THATS NOT DIFFICULT BUT TO PUT IN RIGHT IN ORDER WIL TAKE TIME

[@drjitters]

Love this guy!

[@LiveFreeWarrior]

BEST Plug for coffee bean BTW! Hahaha and yes, they do have great coffee. Intriguing share and intro for writing as well, useful jumpstarts for writing cues.

[@kayskreed]

Very helpful and informative (and funny). I've been trying to write something for over a decade now. I either constantly second guess myself, or simply cannot decide on the key details and I am constantly making changes and losing interest before even getting out of the gate. Maybe there's an unwillingness to try something new, I dunno. This is making me realize that I need a new approach. I forget what it feels like to be excited about a story idea it's been so long.

[@snikrepak]

It sounds like when I finish a unit (work piece) I get drawn to "oh I can't think of anything to draw" but I remember, the longer you leave it, the easier the rest will come later, I have drawn stuff like at 2007, and only last year finished it. Muse's find thier way, just gotta have the spark of inspiration to push you, and like many people here have said, and the momentum will keep you going. Be open to learn new methods, new ideas, the sky isn't the limit, it's how deep and far can you imagine?

[@kayskreed]

@@snikrepak Much appreciated!

[@jlupus8804]

I thought “I’m gonna kill him” would be a unique reaction, but apparently his entire class thought that up too 😂😂 he really knows how to corner a writer

[@futurestoryteller]

I like to think at least once when he said "now imagine the person interviewing you is the person who hit your car" at least one student went "But how will I know that, if the body's already in the trunk?"

[@jlupus8804]

@@futurestoryteller That is the best timeline

[@MariasFaith]

I oddly get stories the moment I'm going to sleep so I think to myself yes mind save this information and the next day in the morning I totally forget. So now I know just jot anything down at anytime and it's not about perfection everything can be fixed if you want the book published. It's a adventure either true or false story. I'm a fun story teller and very detailed when I speak or type and sometimes I write and loose the excitement I guess cause I'm a people pleaser, audience, comedian, and singing type of gal I need to think my paper as if people are already there to laugh.

[@jackallenproductions]

So in lieu of knowing what lens you lot use, what camera do you use it on? Also, have you fine folks considered starting a Discord server so that your audience can connect with one another to discuss the interviews? Also imagine people wouldn't mind being able to network & ask questions that aren't related to a specific video.

[@darrensurff8554]

I get the impression his idea of peace is actually boredom 😮 He believes sitting around with nothing going on is peace ,when it's the chaos of the cafe he gets his peace 😅know wot I mean 😊

[@leebishop7591]

Where are these quiet diners and coffee shops in LA? I need a new spot.

[@walterpost9073]

I have a character. And a goal. Let’s go.

[@game-enjoyer13]

the rest is history

[@daniel_wilkinson]

I had to pause and go listen to "Only The Good Die Young."

[@terrilynn27allen88]

Hi, I just found your channel and subscribed. Great advice. I write just for fun. Currently working on something for a birthday gift. The flow feels off and like I am writing two stories in one instead of one story that has a good flow.

[@walkabout16]

In the realm of words, where tales take flight, Tony DuShane, a guide in the writer's light. A journey begins, with a pen in hand, A beginner's guide, to stories so grand. Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk, A narrative spun, where shadows lurk. Soft Skull Press echoes, the inked confession, In DuShane's world, a writer's obsession. Award-winning whispers, a screenwriter's grace, In the cinematic dance, stories embrace. Directed by Stoltz, on screens it gleams, A teenage confession, in cinematic dreams. Journalistic ink, a potent elixir, DuShane's words dance, a literary mixer. Los Angeles Times, a canvas so wide, Mother Jones echoes, where truths abide. UCLA's halls, where wisdom is sown, DuShane teaches, a mentorship known. In the classroom's embrace, stories unfold, A beginner's guide, where tales are told. Drinks with Tony, a podcast's refrain, Every Wednesday, literary champagne. Conversations flow, like rivers of ink, In the universe of words, where thoughts link. A beginner's guide, in DuShane's decree, Crafting stories, setting imaginations free. Words on the page, a canvas untold, In the realm of writing, where dreams unfold.

[@filmcourage]

What did you like about this video?

[@jrb4484]

y e s

[@rocketshipevan]

I just like to hear people talk about writing, kinda keeps me thinking. I have grown fond of the interviewers voice too.

[@dragonsmith9012]

I like the part where there was singing, and talk of coffee shops.

[@tolvfen]

How do you know if a story knews that is funny, vs nor knowing?

[@tonymiranda5675]

How do you guys normally start this exercise? It's been a long time since I made a story, so I don't really have a process And I always end up overthinking it

[@davepowell7168]

Back slapping can be a useful tool occasionally.

[@ScaryStoriesNYC]

I can't relate to his lesson because I'm a New Yorker so I don't know how to drive LOL. Also I haven't been on a job interview for thirty years and can't envision a "perfect" job other than not having a job LOL. Tony would throw me out of his class for being difficult hahaha

[@burritoboy2751]

Imagine you're in a taxi on your way to interview someone about their Dogman sighting. ;)

[@futurestoryteller]

I think I might have ruined his set-up and payoff idea a little bit, when it came to his short story exercise, because when he went over the first part all I could think was "Wait a minute, if I have a geniuine shot at the greatest job ever, I'm already late, and it's paying out all the money I could ever hope for, then the last thing I would ever want to do with my precious time is stand around arguing with some guy - I just want to get out of there!" Then again if I HAVE to imagine a confrontation, and the other person is the cause of the accident then they're probably not very reasonable if they're insisting on keeping ME there, so I don't think that would bode well for my job prospects anyway.

[@SAkil-eh3jl]

This imaginary scene reminds me of the one in whiplash. He didn't care he was in an accident..he just dashed outta there

[@racqynathiri856]

Why is creative writing the only discipline that tells people to just DO IT? Every other art form you have to learn the basics and HOW TO’s from the literature of intellectuals and teachers etc. Music, Dance, Drawing etc but Writers NO, “you don’t have to learn anything from anyone” ‘it’s too much’, ‘a waste of time’ etc… Just write. No that’s now how it works- You are supposed to read ALL the Books about the art of creative writing. Can’t read or no time? Then there is audible. Black Creators especially: Please learn how to build a story and how to write a story so our movies can be better and the novels can be better etc.

[@pong6377]

I can't tell if this is sarcastic or not

[@dmtdreamz7706]

And so many think because then happened, now isn't. But didn't I mention? The ongoing WOW is happening, right now! We are all co-authors of this dancing exuberance, where even our inabilities are having a roast. We are the authors of ourselves, co-authoring a gigantic Dostoevsky novel starring clowns! This entire thing we're involved with, called the world, is an opportunity to exhibit how exciting alienation can be.

[@fogblog723]

If i write like Kurt Vonnegut what am I missing?

[@BudsCartoon]

5:40 - His 8th interview and the guy interviewing him doesn't know it's him? Hmmmmm.

[@kevinreily2529]

Could you please tell us who these people are, thanks.

[@ahmedouardani2370]

Thanx for the channel for all the knowledge and for giving passion and spot light on all the hidden underground collaborators.k I think you have an urge to tell a story.. Go for it. I am hooked. Maybe a girly "The Pretender" kind of. One question does illustrating storyboarding or even doing animatics for a script help get it noticed better on a Pitch ?

[@improvementTime10.3.17]

2:00

[@peterthierrry902]

If I learned anything from writing it is this: say it with business.

[@cjmaddox6306]

It all started in high school with broken bed .I'm done fight . Disney hades smile

[@nateyoder9372]

Bouta write my first, it’s gonna be so bad

[@filmcourage]

Or so good

[@lionface1364]

When I'm at peace...I do my worst living.

[@MrMolecularscientist]

haha.......I'm actually nearly finished a screenplay that is very close to what Karen said.

[@cjmaddox6306]

Chester i other descendants movie descendants 3 took me short clip of descendants to royol wedding we need undo this mess right now .

[@lillieybarra5754]

👏👏👏👏❤️

[@alyssabaquir]

Hi film courage, I hope there's a way you can answer subscribers' questions via interviews like these because I have one in mind: how can a young writer (like 20) write older, more mature characters?

[@filmcourage]

Hi Aly, you may benefit from the last 4-5 minutes of a video we posted a couple days ago - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6jddYxop9-MhLc Beyond that you may also find some helpful thoughts from this video we did a few years ago - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2SulIFjm7d_fKs

[@alyssabaquir]

@@filmcourage thank you! ❤️

[@SAkil-eh3jl]

Same struggle here....how's your progress so far?

[@alyssabaquir]

@@SAkil-eh3jl slowly getting to know them though there's not much info yet :/ there's that balance between waiting for them to reveal something vs. you actively learning something abt them. and then there's doubt.. haha

[@theperfectbotsteve4916]

i feel like i dont need a beginners guide i need a babys first book lol

[@TheRealMonkeyrogue]

"ancient coffee pot" I've been called out! ANCIENT tools of a primitive peoples. 😆

[@4xzx4]

The best way to create a story is to create one that nobody else has written.

[@unstoppableExodia]

This is the kinda stuff I subscribed to this channel for. Not for speculative bs like whether mr beast could make a movie that could make 100M at the box office (seriously don’t encourage that guy to make a movie, he sucks enough as it is)

[@r0bw00d]

If you're going to write, then shut up and write. Don't go telling everyone what your story's going to be about because then you'll only do that and never get to the keyboard part.

[@ymaaw3735]

I think I've finally heard the interviewer's name. Karen?

[@cjmaddox6306]

We not connected no more ethier.

[@cjmaddox6306]

I do not want to be no huge class reunion I quite huge class reunion me too im done fight Disney hades I quite class reunion .I'm done fight

[@yourcommander3412]

The poo that took a pee...

[@nonya3126]

i right a story called Ninja Boy. Its based on my real life only as a super hero. I made it as a young kid and now i use all the people in the story be based on real people where there imagination can come true in a real book that others can read.

[@igano111]

That exercise would make me miserable. I can't write a story in 30 minutes. It would be trash.

[@Athousandmax]

completely disagree with almost everything he said... who tf is this bozo? sounds like a complete hack. you cant just tell people exactly what scenario to start their story with and expect them to learn anything... people need to be creative on their own and come up with their own ideas. Not have some hack like this guy just telling them to fill in the blanks of the formula he just gave them. that's how you get bad writers like the ones who work in the MCU.

[@wild.berryz]

i couldn’t figure out how to start everyone always says just start but what i need is some sort of process so this video was the thing that really helped because now i’m going to try out that process but with my own ideas unfortunately i’m to busy to really start but now i’ll be able to just start i already have some ideas and character designs because i plan to make a comic