Getting Started with "Solving Stories"

Hey, I'm Jason. Over the past several years I've purchased and read hundreds of books, obtained a college degree, attended intensive seminars, and even spent $10k to become a certified editor on my journey to understand stories.

When my interest in story structure began, I had no idea just how deep the rabbit hole would go. In fact, I'm still tumbling down that hole. I have dozens of books in my queue, waiting to be read. To be honest, I'd really like to spend the rest of my life reading and learning about it. But I feel an obligation to pass some information and resources on to others.

I don't have time to devote towards some polished finished product. Instead, I'll be learning in public, creating content as I continue to learn about it.

My journey into the heart of storytelling has taken me on an adventure through the subjects of theology, history, psychology, philosophy, and science. I've learned that stories are a product of innate cognitive patterns. They are a reflection of how our brains think and make sense of our experiences.

By exploring that connection between story structure and our cognitive processes, not only can we identify and fix the problems in our stories, but we can also create stories that help solve universal human problems.

Why did I choose to call this "solving stories?" I like that it has a double meaning:

• The first and most obvious use of the phrase assumes that the word "solving" is used as a verb with the word "stories" as the direct object.
  
  This assumes that a story is something like a puzzle or a problem to be solved - not for the reader, but certainly for the author. This is concept of "story as puzzle" is something on which I'll elaborate a great deal here on Solving Stories.
  

• But the phrase could also be understood with word "solving" as an adjective.
  
  This assumes that a story is something that has the ability to solve problems for people. Stories that solve could be referred to as solving stories. Just like waters that heal are called healing waters.

Solving the problems in stories in order to create stories that solve problems.

So, both uses of the phrase apply. My goal is to help others solve problems IN their stories so that they can solve problems WITH their stories.

Read more on our "About" page.