22 Sparks to Ignite Your Story: Pixar's Creative Campfire Wisdom
From Vonnegut's wry wisdom to Hemingway's terse pronouncements, the world is awash with advice on storytelling. But when Pixar's former story artist, Emma Coates, dropped her "22 Rules of Good Storytelling" like a narrative mic drop, the internet went wild. Twenty-two rules? That's…a lot. More than Tolstoy, for sure.
Now, we at Lone Ghost Media appreciate a good roadmap as much as the next storyteller. But let's be honest, sometimes a well-worn path feels less like guidance and more like a creative straightjacket. You know that itch? The one that screams, "Let me get lost in the woods and find my own damn story!"
So, here's the deal: we're diving into these 22 Pixar principles, those nuggets of hard-earned animation wisdom. We'll unpack them, examine them, and maybe even raise an eyebrow or two. But we're not here to prescribe a formula for your cinematic soul. Consider this less a lecture and more a campfire chat, where we toss ideas around and see what sparks.
Think of it: 22 little creative fires, ready to be fanned or extinguished, depending on your own inner compass. We're here to explore, not dictate. So, grab a virtual marshmallow, settle in, and let's see which of these sparks ignite your imagination. Just promise us you won't try to sell a carbon copy to Disney. They've got enough formulas already.The 22 Embers of Storytelling Wisdom:
"You admire a character for trying more than for their successes." The heart of a story lies in the struggle, the determination, the unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. Success earned through effort resonates far more deeply than effortless victory."You gotta keep in mind what’s interesting to you as an audience, not what’s fun to do as a writer. They can be v. different." Step outside your ego. Prioritize audience engagement. What captivates them? What makes them feel? This is your true north."Trying for theme is important, but you won’t see what the story is actually about til you’re at the end of it. Now rewrite." Discovery through creation. The true theme often reveals itself in the final draft. Be prepared to revise and refine."Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. One day ___. Because of that, ___. Because of that, ___. Until finally ___." The classic narrative structure. Simplicity and clarity are your allies. Use this framework to build a compelling arc."Simplify. Focus. Combine characters. Hop over detours. You’ll feel like you’re losing valuable stuff but it sets you free." Less is often more. Trim the fat, streamline your narrative, and focus on the essential elements."What is your character good at, comfortable with? Throw the polar opposite at them. Challenge them. How do they deal?" Conflict is the engine of story. Force your characters out of their comfort zones and watch them grow."Come up with your ending before you figure out your middle. Seriously. Endings are hard, get yours working up front." Structure is paramount. Knowing your destination guides your journey."Finish your story, let go even if it’s not perfect. In an ideal world you have both, but move on. Do better next time." Completion over perfection. Learn from each project, move on, and continuously improve."When you’re stuck, make a list of what WOULDN’T happen next. Lots of times the material to get you unstuck will show up." Reverse brainstorming. Sometimes, the most creative solutions come from exploring the impossible."Pull apart the stories you like. What you like in them is a part of you; you’ve got to recognize it before you can use it." Analyze and learn from your favorite stories. What resonates with you? Harness those elements in your own work."Putting it on paper lets you start fixing it. If it stays in your head, a perfect idea, you’ll never share it with anyone." Action over ideation. Get your ideas down, even if they're messy. The act of writing is the first step to creation."Discount the 1st thing that comes to mind. And the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th – get the obvious out of the way. Surprise yourself." Challenge your initial instincts. Dig deeper to uncover the unexpected."Give your characters opinions. Passive/malleable might seem likable to you as you write, but it’s poison to the audience." Strong characters have strong opinions. Give them agency and voice."Why must you tell THIS story? What’s the belief burning within you that your story feeds off of? That’s the heart of it." Passion is the fuel of story. Find your core belief and let it guide your narrative."If you were your character, in this situation, how would you feel? Honesty lends credibility to unbelievable situations." Empathy is key. Connect with your characters on a human level."What are the stakes? Give us reason to root for the character. What happens if they don’t succeed? Stack the odds against." High stakes create tension and engagement. Make the audience care."No work is ever wasted. If it’s not working, let go and move on — it’ll come back around to be useful later."Every creative endeavor is a learning experience. Don't discard anything, it might be used later."You have to know yourself: the difference between doing your best & fussing. Story is testing, not refining."Know when to stop tinkering. Focus on the big picture, not the minute details."Coincidences to get characters into trouble are great; coincidences to get them out of it are cheating." Craft satisfying conflict and resolution. Avoid easy outs."Exercise: take the building blocks of a movie you dislike. How d’you rearrange them into what you DO like?" Learn from what doesn't work. Experiment with different approaches."You gotta identify with your situation/characters, can’t just write ‘cool’. What would make YOU act that way?" Authenticity is paramount. Connect with your characters on a personal level."What’s the essence of your story? Most economical telling of it? If you know that, you can build out from there." Distill your story to its core. Build from a strong foundation.
So, there you have it: 22 sparks from the Pixar creative forge. We've journeyed from the gritty realism of "trying over succeeding" to the structural backbone of "endings first," and the essential empathy of "walking in your character's shoes." These rules aren't just about animation; they're about the fundamental truths of storytelling, the kind that resonate across genres and mediums.
Think of these rules as a toolbox, not a cage. Rule #5, "Simplify. Focus," reminds us that clarity is king, especially when you're drowning in a sea of ideas. While rule #14, "Why must you tell THIS story?" forces us to dig deep, to find the burning core of our narrative. And when you're stuck staring at a blank page, rule #9, "What WOULDN'T happen next?" can shake loose the creative cobwebs.
These rules implore you to be honest (rule #15), to take risks (rule #6), and to never underestimate the power of a well-crafted ending (rule #7). They remind us that storytelling is a process of discovery, a constant push and pull between intention and improvisation.
As you embark on your next project, remember these sparks. Don't be afraid to experiment, to break the rules, or to forge your own path. But when you're lost in the creative wilderness, let these guidelines be your compass.
Take that idea you've been nursing, that concept simmering in the back of your mind, and apply even just a few of these principles. Ask yourself: What are the stakes? What are my characters trying to achieve? What's the core essence of this story?
The goal isn't to create a Pixar clone, but to elevate your own voice. To craft narratives that are authentic, engaging, and undeniably yours. So, go forth, light your own creative fires, and let these 22 sparks illuminate the way.
Lone Ghost Media: Where stories come to life.