When it comes to advice for starting your story, you've probably found lists of what not to do. Sometimes, those lists contradict themselves in ways that make it a confusing process to figure out exactly how a story is supposed to start.

That's why we recommend breaking this rule. Before you can do that, you need to know why the rules for starting off a story exist in the first place so you can avoid the problems and make those beginnings intentional and compelling.

First aired April 15, 2024.