The Manifesto Seven
Stories don’t work by accident. These are the seven principles Storyboon is built on.
Story is Transformation
A story is a record of change. The protagonist must end in a different state than where they began. Better or worse, but not the same.
Structure is the Foundation
Strong stories are built on intentional structure. Ideas without a plan feel weak, and readers can sense it. The first draft is for you. The revision is for them.
Pressure Reveals Character
Words are cheap. Action is everything. Put your characters under pressure and watch their guards fall. That’s where you find out who they really are.
Show, Don’t Tell
Don’t make characters explain the plot. People rarely say exactly what they think. Let their actions and the way they speak reveal who they are.
Every Scene Earns Its Place
If a scene is only there because it’s cool or funny, it’s costing you. Every moment must build momentum. Cut what doesn’t move the story forward.
Kill the Cliché
First thoughts are usually echoes of other people’s stories. Specific details from real life save your work from feeling familiar. Research is part of writing.
The Protagonist Earns the Ending
No outside miracle saves the day. If the protagonist doesn’t drive the resolution through their own choices, the ending falls flat. They earn the win or they don’t get it.