@LateKickJosh $100 bucks says @JesseMyers88 walks into Primanti Bros post show (Skips the line claiming soberly he’s Jesus, and it works) and orders a shot of Rumplemintz.
Just want to note that Trey has easily been the best war correspondent in the press. Watched him in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Israel etc.
Does an incredible job and risks his safety in the toughest circumstances imaginable to inform the audience of the facts on the ground. No spin.
He created Margaritaville is what he did. He coined the phrases “5 o’clock somewhere” and “cheeseburger in paradise” single-handed. He was a brave American singer-songwriter who pioneered the island escapism lifestyle. And in this house, Jimmy Buffett is a hero, end of story.
Students at NYU asked the creators of South Park the million-dollar question:
“What makes a good story?”
They gave one of the best explanations of story I’ve heard:
“If we can take the beats of your outline, and the words ‘and then’ belong between those beats… you got something pretty boring.
What should happen between every beat you’ve written down is the words ‘therefore’ or ‘but.’”
They go on to say, “That gives you the causation between each beat, and that makes a story.”
Point 1:
There’s an idea in storytelling called ‘Promise, Progress, Payoff.’
Essentially, a story is a neverending cycle of promises that are paid off over the span of the story.
It’s a cycle of expectation and resolution. Cause and effect. Conflict and progress.
Point 2:
A story isn’t a bunch of random events thrown together.
A story is a series of but / because / therefore moments.
A famous example:
• Harry discovers he's a wizard. Because of this, he goes to learn magic at Hogwarts.
• But then he learns Voldemort wants to kill him and rule the world.
• Therefore, he must find a way to defeat him.
Point 3:
‘And’ implies a simple continuation.
‘But / Therefore’ give prior events meaning through causation.
‘But’ implies conflict. ‘Therefore’ implies progress.
I’m reminded of a Hemingway quote:
“Prose is architecture, not interior decoration.”
Great writing is intentional. It doesn’t wander. It builds upon itself.
***
I hope you enjoyed that! If so, follow @nathanbaugh27. I study the best storytellers ever and share what I learn.
The Wagner Group has thousands of battle-hardened fighters with stockpiles of military equipment.
They're currently in control of Rostov-on-Don, a Russian city with a population over 1 million.
Rostov-on-Don is an important logistics hub for the Russian military to support their invasion of Ukraine.
Truly uncharted territory.
• Plays golf with non-dominant hand
• Birdbox meme off the tee
• Often saved by elite iron play
• And a "should this be allowed on cable TV" short game
• Has/had a caddie whose comedic reaction is revered
• Golf course tour guide during most rounds
• Talks about golf in a way that makes it sound like aerospace engineering
• Considered among the best in the world at age 21
• Tremendous all-time major champion
[deep breath] Phil and Spieth are kinda the same player
“There are millions of civilians at stake,” Yingst said. “The broader stability of Europe is on the line. It does affect American people.”
So, the question he often asks himself is this: “How do I humanize this story and make people care?”
To the residents of East Palestine, Ohio:
Norfolk Southern and related companies are already on the ground trying to give people settlements with the caveat that they can not turn around and sue said company or companies after accepting the settlement.
Keep reading this.