Before we dive into what a story actually is, I’d like to tell you something that just might knock your socks off, because it reveals the amazing power that writers actually have. You see, although story is universal, until very recently, stories were primarily seen as just another form of entertainment. Sure, we thought they make life much more enjoyable, but they don't really play a necessary role when it comes to survival. Wrong. Turns out that story has been crucial to our survival from day one.

Story is what allowed us to envision the future and to prepare for the unexpected. As a result, story and our brain evolved in tandem. Story is how we make sense of the world. But for writers, the real breakthrough is the discovery of what triggers that sense of pleasure we feel when a story hooks us. It's not lyrical language, great characters, realistic dialogue, or even vivid images. Nope, curiosity is the trigger.