Pixar's 22 storytelling rules

These rules first appeared in the script tweets from Pixar, Emma Coats . By the way, rule number 9 - if you're stuck, make a list of what can't happen - suitable for writers working in any genre.

1. Admire the character for his efforts more than for his success.
2. Give preference to what is interesting to you as a spectator, and not to what a writer is fun to do. These two parameters can be very different.
3. Striving for the expression of a keynote is great, but until you finish the story, you cannot understand what it really is. Now rewrite it again.
4. Once upon a time ... They lived every day ... And once ... Because of this ... Because of that ... Until finally ...
5. Simplify. Concentrate. Combine characters. Do not be distracted by minor plots. You may feel that you are missing something important, but you will be more free.
6. What does your character do well that he likes? Give it the exact opposite. Challenge. And how will he handle it?
7. Come up with an end before the middle. In reality, the endings are harder to come up with, so make sure that your work is done in advance.
8. After finishing the story, set it aside, even if it is imperfect. In an ideal world, everything would be different. Next time you do better.
9. If you get stuck, make a list of what can NOT happen. Often after this you find the right material.
10. Disassemble the stories you like. What you like about them is a part of you - you need to recognize it before you can use it.
11. You can fix the idea only after you make it on paper. If she stays in your head, you cannot share it.
12. Drop the first thing that comes to mind. And then the second, third, fourth and fifth. All obvious things. Surprise yourself.
13. Equip your character with an opinion. Passive and flexible characters may like you, but not your audience.
14. Why do you need to tell exactly this story? Which of your beliefs feeds her? Is her heart?
15. How would you feel if you were in the place of your character? Honesty adds credibility to unbelievable situations.
16. What is at stake? Why do we have to worry about the character? What happens if they do not succeed? Reduce their chances.
17. Work in vain does not disappear. If this does not work now, put the idea aside - it will definitely come in handy in another place.
18. Know yourself and feel the difference between achieving the best result and worrying about trivia.
19. Accidents, characters in trouble, play well. Accidents, helping them out, look like a hoax.
20. Exercise: Take the parts of the movie that you didn’t like. How would you redistribute them so that you like it?
21. You need to identify yourself with the situation and the character. What would make you personally act like that?
22. Is this the essence of your story? How to effectively tell her? Be defined, and make a start from it.