This little guide breaks down storytelling to its most basic aspects – namely characters, where they are, and what they are doing. Once you can get those pillars figured out, the rest of your story will flow more easily and efficiently. One of the first lessons a writer needs to learn is to not get wound up about being perfect. It's okay if you think your writing is lousy. Just like the first time you hear your voice on a recording, everything is going to sound really weird. This book is a place to have fun with your stories. Don't worry about writing deathless prose or something that will be studied in college classes for decades after. While you are playing with all your ideas, keep this in mind Dare to be Average. When you lower the stakes, your imagination can soar. Without the internal critic voice, you will have a great time exploring the worlds you see in your head. Remember, average does not mean half-assed or shoddy. In the end, perfection is the enemy of finished. It's better to finish an average story than never finish at all. Grab that notebook you always thought was too pretty to use, and write like the wind!