We all go off the rails sometimes when we think we’re presenting a short story, but it ends up going long. Dean shares a simple idea to keep stories short, because there’s nothing more annoying than a story that just won’t end.
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Consider starting your story as late as possible and getting out of it as soon as possible. A lot of people struggle with keeping their stories concise. They go on too long, ramble, or lose track of what’s actually important. The classic editor’s rule from film applies perfectly here: start as late as possible and end as soon as possible. It’s a simple way to make sure your story fits within the time you have and still lands effectively.
I once met someone at a party and asked how they got their job. He started his story with, “When I was in high school,” and I knew we were in for a long ride. Ninety minutes later, I’d heard about his first girlfriend, his two marriages, and about ten different jobs — before he finally got to the actual point: someone offered him an opportunity at one job that led to the next. That’s where the story should have started. The version that mattered could have been three minutes long: “I was doing this job, someone offered me a chance to try something new, it clicked, and now it’s what I do.” That’s what I wanted to know.
Back in the film days, editors used to show every transition — from walking out of a police station to getting into a car to arriving at the scene. Today, we just cut to the action. We’ve learned that transitions aren’t always helpful. The same is true for storytelling: start late, end early, and cut what doesn’t serve the point. That’s how you keep your story tight, compelling, and within your audience’s attention span.
You agree with me on that, Ben? I’ll take that as a yes.
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