Hans Ness Writers’ Blog
Novel insights on storytelling and
debunking oversimplified advice.
See also my videos on TikTok.
About This Blog
The So-Called Rules of Storytelling
Favorite Ingredients of Kid-Lit
Character Goals May Shift
Static Protagonists Are Common
Writing Relatable vs Goofy Characters
Charlotte’s Web Wouldn’t Get Published Today
Magic & Beyond as a Plot Device
Overused But Effective Plot Tricks
Narration Clarification
The Case Against First Person
Internal & External Conflicts
Missing Parents
Screenwriting vs Publishing Surprise
Story Stakes May Be Low
Beauty & Ugliness as Writing Tools
Writing Urgency, Momentum, Unpredictability
How Should the Reader Feel?
Lion King & Cars: Breaking Story Conventions