EDWARDS MEDIA — THE STORY LAB WORKBOOK

Course outcome: A story brief, a scene sequence and a revised opening chapter.

LESSON NOTES

MODULE 01: The story engine

A premise with pressure
Practice: Write three one-sentence premises. For each, underline the goal, circle the obstacle and mark the personal cost. Choose the one with the hardest choice.
Your response:


What I will change after self review:


Character drives consequence
Practice: Write two columns: what your lead pursues and what they avoid. Invent a scene where progress toward the goal forces them to confront the avoidance.
Your response:


What I will change after self review:


MODULE 02: Architecture

Build a causal spine
Practice: Write six turning points. Join adjacent points with “because” or “therefore”. Rewrite any connection that only works with “and then”.
Your response:


What I will change after self review:


Design the scene
Practice: Draft a 500-word scene. Mark the goal, resistance and precise sentence where the situation shifts. Remove an opening paragraph if it delays the pressure.
Your response:


What I will change after self review:


MODULE 03: Voice and draft

Choose a viewpoint
Practice: Rewrite one paragraph from another character’s viewpoint. Compare the details noticed, assumptions made and questions raised.
Your response:


What I will change after self review:


Draft with a reader promise
Practice: After your opening, list three expectations a reader is likely to have. Check your next three scenes against them.
Your response:


What I will change after self review:


MODULE 04: Revision and release

Revise from large to small
Practice: Summarise each scene in one line. Read only those lines and flag repeated beats or missing consequences. Choose the three biggest repairs.
Your response:


What I will change after self review:


Prepare the manuscript
Practice: Write a one-paragraph synopsis and three questions for a test reader. Revise one scene in response to the clearest pattern of feedback.
Your response:


What I will change after self review:


FINAL PROJECT
Create a two-page story brief, a six-scene outline and a revised 800-word opening. Check that the protagonist has a specific goal, each scene changes the situation, and the opening makes a promise the story can keep.

Deliverables:
- Story brief: Premise, protagonist, stakes and reader promise
- Structure: Six causal beats and six scene cards
- Draft: An 800-word opening with a clear turn
- Revision: Marked changes, continuity check and three reader questions

Self review:
- Premise: the lead, goal, obstacle and personal cost are clear in one sentence.
- Structure: six scenes connect through decisions and consequences.
- Opening: viewpoint is controlled and the first 800 words make a clear reader promise.
- Revision: identify three large changes before polishing sentences.

One strength:

One uncertainty:

One next revision:

Sources and rights checked: