Don’t Just Learn Story Structure—Train to Use It

9 Hidden Problems Killing Your Writing

You've Read the Books, Taken the Courses—But These 9 Problems Keep Showing Up

You're smart. You're committed. You've done everything "right"—bought the craft books, watched YouTube videos, maybe even taken a workshop or two.

But something's still missing.

These hidden problems plague even dedicated writers. Do any sound familiar?

🔄 Problem #1: Your scenes have no direction

The writing starts strong. You feel good about the scene, the dialogue is flowing, your character feels real.

Then you realize—it's hard to tell exactly when this happens—everything has gone off track.

You keep going, hoping you'll be able to write yourself out of the hole, but eventually the writing peters out and you stop.

On a reread, there's a lot going on. Characters are doing stuff. Plenty of exposition. Lots of description. But it doesn't go anywhere and even you get lost... and you wrote it.

If a reader can't figure out what's happening in your story, they will stop reading.

🥱 Problem #2: Your scenes are boring

It's hard to get all the details and story information into your writing without making it feel like watching paint dry.

You know there needs to be some kind of action happening, but how do you create tension when it's just two people getting coffee? Or a character traveling alone? Or a quiet family dinner?

You force yourself to finish the scene, but even you get bored when you read it back.

And if it's boring to you, imagine how the reader feels.

😱 Problem #3: Your scenes don't evoke emotion

Your writing comes out flat and dull—like a Wikipedia entry describing something interesting instead of pulling readers into the narrative.

As you struggle to put words down, you're not sure which verbs, adjectives, and descriptions to choose to connect with your reader at an emotional level.

You know each word matters, but how do you make those choices? How do you write sentences that make readers feel something instead of just processing information?

🤹 Problem #4: Too many details in your scenes

You get lost in the excitement of creating your world and characters, so you keep adding more and more.

Before long, you have thousands of words of exposition but nothing has actually happened yet.

Somewhere in that mess you try to weave in your story elements, but you worry you've buried them in an avalanche of description. When you go back to edit, you know you need to cut, but you're not sure what to cut or why.

Your readers didn't sign up for a guided tour—they want a story.

👥 Problem #5: Poorly developed characters

As you develop your story, you keep adding characters without a clear direction on their purpose or how they'll serve the narrative.

On a reread, you start to fear that all your characters sound the same and feel uninteresting and unbelievable. Your protagonist acts inconsistently and doesn't seem to want anything specific.

Characters who don't drive the plot forward are just taking up space.

🙄 Problem #6: Your world doesn't feel real

You struggle to choose the right details to make your story's world feel vivid and believable. So you keep adding more description, unsure when you've included enough.

The world feels completely real to you, but you're never quite sure if it's landing on the page the right way for readers.

Too little detail and readers can't picture anything. Too much and they're drowning in description.

🗑️ Problem #7: Your scenes are full of exposition dumps

As you write, you struggle with weaving exposition, dialogue, and action together smoothly.

You worry you're not giving readers enough information, so you stop mid-scene and dump all the background details on them at once.

But then you worry you're making your writing boring again. It's a vicious cycle.

Readers can spot an info-dump from a mile away—and they hate them.

📣 Problem #8: Your scenes don't have a clear voice

You don't feel locked into who you're telling the story to and why, so your voice shifts as you write. Sometimes you use flowery, literary prose, then switch to Hemingway-esque direct language.

You feel the inconsistency, but you struggle to lock onto anything that feels coherent throughout the entire piece.

Inconsistent voice makes readers feel like they're reading different books.

🎥 Problem #9: Your "camera" movement is confusing

As you write, you bounce from a god-like view of the scene to an up-close description of action to dialogue to a different character's perspective.

It feels right in the moment, but when you read it later, you feel like you're getting jerked around, unsure where to focus your attention.

If readers can't follow your scene, they'll give up trying.

😢 Bonus Problem: Your scene is a BLANK PAGE

You would love to have these problems in your writing—because that would mean you were actually writing.

Instead, when you try to write, you end up staring at the endless blinking cursor, unsure where to start or what to write.

If you never write anything, you never have to face the possibility that it might not work.

If you saw yourself in any of these, you're not broken.

You've just never been taught how stories actually work—and how to practice building them on purpose.

That's exactly what the Story Grid Guild is for.

😥 It's Not Your Fault

Here's Why Everything You've Tried Hasn't Worked

That's not your fault.

Most writing advice tells you what to do:

• "Show, don't tell"
• "Start with action"
• "Make your characters compelling"
• "Create conflict in every scene"
• "Hook your reader from page one"

But nobody shows you how to actually do it.

And even fewer give you a way to practice until it becomes second nature.

Think about it: You wouldn't expect to become a surgeon by reading medical textbooks and watching YouTube videos. You wouldn't learn to play piano by studying music theory alone.

🤷‍♀️ So why do we think writing is any different?

Writing isn't just about talent or inspiration. It's about understanding how stories work at a fundamental level—and then training yourself to build them scene by scene, choice by choice, until it becomes instinct.

You need a system. You need practice. You need to see exactly how the masters do it, then do it yourself until you get it right.

That's exactly why you need to master the Story Grid methodology. The Guild gives you the systematic foundation to understand and solve these fundamental craft problems.

🎯 Master the Methodology. Understand the Principles. Build Your Foundation.

The Story Grid Guild is the only year-long program where you'll:

Master the 20 Core Scenes Every Story Needs

Walk scene-by-scene through the essential building blocks that make stories work—from the Inciting Incident to the Climactic Moment.

These aren't arbitrary plot points. They're the structural DNA that every working story shares, whether it's The Matrix or Pride and Prejudice.

📖 Study 4 Masterworks That Span Genres

See how The Matrix, The Hobbit, The Shithead, and Marathon Man handle the same scenes differently—across sci-fi, fantasy, literary fiction, and thrillers.

You'll discover why a scene works in one story and how to understand those same principles for your own genre and style.

✍️ Practice AND Analyze Your Own Scenes Each Week

This isn't passive consumption. You'll study what you learn and apply it to your own work. No more hoping it will "click" someday.

Every week, you'll take the principles you're learning and practice implementing them. You'll understand what you're doing and why.

💪 THIS IS SYSTEMATIC METHODOLOGY TRAINING.

Just like studying music theory doesn't make you Beethoven overnight, learning Story Grid methodology builds the essential foundation every serious writer needs.

You get the systematic understanding that separates professional writers from those who wing it.

Why the 20 Core Scenes Change Everything

Most Writers Wing It. Professionals Use Structure.

Every great story is built on the same spine—20 Core Scenes that define your protagonist's journey from beginning to end.

In the Guild, you'll master the methodology behind them one by one.

1️⃣ Each ODD WEEK: Deep Scene Analysis with Shawn Coyne

You'll join Shawn Coyne for in-depth training on that week's core scene:

See How the Masters Do It

• He breaks down that week's scene type using The Matrix, The Hobbit, The Shithead, and Marathon Man
• You'll see how each story handles the same moment differently—and why it works
• You'll understand the underlying principles that make the scene effective across different genres and styles

Get Your Scene Assignment

• You'll receive a detailed scene "seed" and checklist to practice your own version
• Clear, specific prompts that take the guesswork out of what to study
• Step-by-step guidance so you understand exactly what that scene needs to accomplish

Follow the Textbook

• Each week comes with an in-depth textbook that explains the methodology—and why
• No more wondering if you understand the principles correctly

2️⃣ Each EVEN WEEK: Hands-On Craft Training with Tim Grahl

You'll learn how to apply your understanding with Tim's detailed instruction:

Master the Mechanics

• Learn how to analyze stronger beats, better dialogue, and more emotional power
• Get step-by-step guidance on examining and understanding your work
• Build the sentence-level awareness that supports strong storytelling

Practice Real Analysis

• See exactly how to identify what's working and what isn't in your scenes
• Learn specific techniques for understanding prose, flow, and voice
• Study your rough drafts and understand how to improve them

By the End of the Year

From Guessing to Understanding - Your Complete Foundation

You won't just know story structure theory. You'll understand the methodology that makes scenes work—on purpose.

You'll have studied every essential scene type. You'll know how to analyze your own work. And you'll write with the understanding that comes from mastering exactly what you're doing and why.

Imagine sitting down to write and understanding exactly:

• How to structure a scene so it serves your story's purpose
• What each scene needs to accomplish (not just what happens)
• How to use genre expectations to create the right emotional experience
• How to analyze your writing so it works both emotionally AND logically
• How to confidently assess whether your scenes are executing the principles

This isn't wishful thinking. This is what happens when you understand how stories work at a fundamental level.

The Real Transformation

Here's what really changes: You stop being a writer who hopes their story works and become a writer who understands the methodology that makes stories work.

You'll sit down to write with understanding instead of anxiety. You'll tackle analysis with clarity instead of confusion. You'll finish scenes knowing they accomplish exactly what they're supposed to accomplish.

You won't just understand story theory. You'll have the systematic foundation to build one that works—scene by scene, week by week, with complete understanding of the craft.

Is the Story Grid Guild Right for You?

The Guild isn't for everyone. But if you fit this profile, it might be exactly what you've been looking for.

Why This Foundation Matters

You want to understand how stories work at a fundamental level, but you need systematic education to get there. The Guild gives you access to the complete Story Grid methodology—the same principles that guide professional writers and editors.

This isn't a stepping stone to something else. This is the comprehensive education in story methodology that every writer needs. Some writers use this foundation to write with systematic understanding. Others build on it with additional training. The methodology itself is the essential starting point.

You're tired of winging it and ready to understand the craft systematically. You want to know not just what makes stories work, but how to apply those principles consistently.

If you're ready to stop hoping your writing will improve and start systematically building your understanding of the craft, the Guild is for you.

The Bottom Line

If you're tired of guessing and ready to understand the methodology systematically, the Guild is for you.

If you want to build the foundation not just of what makes stories work, but how to apply those principles yourself, the Guild is for you.

If you're ready to stop hoping your writing will improve and start systematically mastering the fundamentals, the Guild is for you.

Everything Included in Your Guild Training

Here's exactly what you get when you join the Story Grid Guild:

 🗓️ Weekly Training

Scene Analysis with Shawn Coyne

Study exactly how great stories handle each essential scene type. Shawn breaks down the same scene across four different masterworks, showing you the underlying principles that make them work across genres, styles, and audiences.

Writing Training with Tim Grahl

Build your understanding with systematic instruction on how the methodology applies to actual writing. Tim shows you how to analyze scenes for purpose, emotional function, and structural effectiveness.

In-depth Training Textbook

Step-by-step guides for understanding every core scene you'll study. No guessing what to focus on—each week comes with detailed instruction that walks you through exactly how to approach that scene type.

 👨‍🏫 Monthly Live Calls

Live Writing Workshopping

Watch systematic analysis get applied in real-time. See Tim work through actual scenes, identify what's working and what isn't, and demonstrate specific techniques for understanding why scenes succeed or fail.

Instructor Q&A Sessions

Get your methodology questions answered by the Story Grid team. Can't attend live? Submit questions in advance and watch the replay. Every call is recorded and available in your member dashboard.

 👀 Ongoing Support

Story Grid AI Access

24/7 methodology help trained on 4M+ words of Story Grid principles. Think of it as your personal study assistant—ready to help analyze scenes, explain concepts, and answer craft questions anytime you need it.

Private Writing Community

Connect with serious writers who are mastering the same methodology. Share insights, get accountability, and learn from others who are going through the same systematic education. This isn't a critique group—it's a community of writers committed to understanding their craft.

Full Year Access

All materials, recordings, and community access for 12 months. Miss a week? No problem. Want to revisit a lesson? It's all there. You own your year of methodology education.

What This Really Means

You're not just buying a course. You're getting a complete educational system designed to give you systematic understanding of how stories work at a fundamental level.

Every piece works together: the weekly lessons give you the methodology, the analysis assignments give you practice applying it, the live calls give you real-world examples, and the community gives you accountability.

This is the most comprehensive scene-level story methodology education available anywhere.

Meet Your Guides—Learn From the Best

When you're building your foundation in story methodology, you need to learn from people who have been there, done that, and know what actually works.

That's exactly who you'll be learning from inside the Story Grid Guild.

Shawn Coyne

Founder of Story Grid, 30+ Years in Publishing

Shawn is a veteran editor with over 30 years of experience in the publishing industry. He's worked as an editor, literary agent, and publisher, helping launch New York Times and international bestsellers.

As the creator of Story Grid, Shawn has spent decades studying what makes great stories work—and has developed a clear, teachable system to help writers understand their craft. His methodology has been used by thousands of writers worldwide to improve their understanding of storytelling and build systematic knowledge of compelling, publishable fiction.

Tim Grahl

Bestselling Author & CEO of Story Grid

Tim is the author of six books, including The Shithead, which was praised by New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling authors. As CEO of Story Grid, he's dedicated his career to helping writers develop systematic understanding of their craft so they can build solid foundations for their work.

Tim has personally worked with hundreds of writers, guiding them through the process of understanding story methodology, mastering fundamental principles, and building the knowledge base that supports effective writing.

👉 Join the Story Grid Guild Today

Value Breakdown

Let's be honest about what this methodology education is worth:

• Weekly Masterwork Analysis: $997 value
• Weekly Methodology Instruction: $997 value
• Monthly Live Workshops: $697 value
• Monthly Q&A Sessions: $497 value
• Story Grid AI Access: $997 value
• Private Community: Priceless

Total Value: $4,185+

Your Investment

❌ $247/month ✅ $197/month

Cancel anytime after 12 months. Perfect if you want to start immediately and spread the investment.

-OR-

❌ $2497/year ✅ $1997/year

Get 2 months free when you pay annually. Save $367 and lock in your full year of training.

Training Begins August 2nd

👉 Save $500 when you register by July 31st 👈

REGISTER NOW

Compare This to Traditional Creative Writing Education

Let's put the Guild's value in perspective with what you'd pay for conventional creative writing education.

A Master's in Creative Writing at a prestigious university:

• Average graduate program tuition: $25,175 per year 2025 Creative Writing Tuition - Un-Known State,
• Private university MFA programs: $18,150 per semester ($36,300 annually) Cost of an MFA in Creative Writing - Education Expenses - CostHelper
• Top programs like Brown or Vermont College: $30,000-$59,000 for full program 15 Best Creative Writing MFA Programs in 2025

What you get in a typical 12-week university semester:

• Generic story structure theory (often outdated)
• Workshop critiques from fellow students
• Extremely limited one-on-one time with faculty
• Focus on literary analysis, not systematic craft methodology

What you get with the Story Grid Guild for a full year:

• A full year of systematic methodology training (vs. 12-week semesters)
• Direct education from Shawn Coyne, who has analyzed, acquired, edited, written, marketed, represented, or published 374 books with many dozens of bestsellers across all genres, and generated over $150,000,000 of revenue.

The Guild gives you the methodology that universities don't teach. Shawn's synoptic integration of Aristotle's Poetics, Freytag's The Technique of the Drama, Campbell's Hero with a Thousand Faces, McKee's Story, among many other story structure investigations with contemporary cognitive science simply isn't available in traditional creative writing programs.

You're learning from the preeminent story researcher of our time. Shawn has spent over 30 years developing "Simulation Synthesis Theory" and created the Story Grid Methodology in 2015—methodology that's taught nowhere else.

At $1,997 annually, you're paying 92% less than a typical MFA program while getting more comprehensive, systematic education than any university offers.

This isn't just creative writing education. This is cognitive science applied to storytelling—the only program of its kind anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stop Guessing About Story Structure. Start Understanding How Stories Work.

You've spent enough time hoping your writing will eventually click.

How many scenes have you written and rewritten, never quite sure if they're actually working? How many times have you stared at a paragraph, knowing something's wrong but not knowing how to analyze what's missing?

How long will you keep writing the same way, hoping for different results?

The Guild gives you what you've been missing

A proven methodology. Systematic education. The foundational knowledge to understand your craft instead of crossing your fingers.

No more guessing whether your scene has a clear purpose. You'll understand exactly what it needs to accomplish structurally.

No more wondering if your dialogue serves the story. You'll understand how conversations should reveal character and advance plot.

No more revising blindly, changing things without knowing if you're improving them. You'll analyze with systematic understanding, identifying exactly what needs attention.

The next session starts soon

Your rate locks in for life. Whether you stay for one year or five years, you'll always pay the same rate you sign up for today.

But that rate only applies if you join now. When we open enrollment to new members later, the price goes up—and it stays up.

This is your moment

You can keep writing the way you've been writing, hoping it will somehow get better.

Or you can learn the methodology that works. Study the system that's helped thousands of writers move from guessing to understanding.

Your writing deserves this level of foundational education. You deserve to understand what you're doing.

[Join the Story Grid Guild Now →]

Rate increases for new members after this enrollment period. Lock in your lifetime price today.

👉 Join the Story Grid Guild Today

Value Breakdown

Let's be honest about what this methodology education is worth:

• Weekly Masterwork Analysis: $997 value
• Weekly Methodology Instruction: $997 value
• Monthly Live Workshops: $697 value
• Monthly Q&A Sessions: $497 value
• Story Grid AI Access: $997 value
• Private Community: Priceless

Total Value: $4,185+

Your Investment

❌ $247/month ✅ $197/month

Cancel anytime after 12 months. Perfect if you want to start immediately and spread the investment.

-OR-

❌ $2497/year ✅ $1997/year

Get 2 months free when you pay annually and lock in your full year of training.

Training Begins August 2nd

👉 Save $500 when you register by July 31st 👈

REGISTER NOW

Here's the thing: You literally can't get this methodology education anywhere else.

Shawn developed this entire system—from scene-level analysis techniques to the 20 Core Scenes framework. What we teach in the Guild doesn't exist in any university, workshop, or other writing program.

This is the only place where you can learn the complete Story Grid methodology with systematic, scene-by-scene education from the creator himself.

Rate Locked for Life

Here's something important: Your price never increases, even when we raise rates for new members.

Join today at $197/month, and that's your rate forever. Whether you stay for one year or five years, you'll always pay the same monthly rate you locked in at signup.

This isn't a limited-time gimmick. It's how we reward writers who commit to serious methodology education.

Why Build Your Foundation Now?

Every month you wait is another month of writing without systematic understanding of what makes stories work.

The Guild gives you what you need to stop guessing and start understanding the methodology. The sooner you begin building your foundation, the sooner you'll approach your writing with systematic knowledge instead of hoping for the best.

Your writing deserves this level of foundational education. You deserve to understand what you're doing.