Sam Sleep's Story Solutions
Structure Sells
Well structured stories hit harder. People intuitively resonate with the intentionality. When every piece is placed on purpose. I call this symmetrical storytelling.
Developmental Edits
That's where I come in. My goal is to take your happy little accidents, and give you options that will make every element of your story feel deliberate.
Why me?
My name is Sam Sleep, and I have a passion for stories, symmetry, and service to my friends.
Hit the button below, or email me at [email protected] if you'd like to be friends!
Origami tessellation: Aztec Twist, designed by Eric Gjerde, expanded and folded by Sam Sleep
Stories and Symmetry
I'm always baffled by all the poorly written, multi-million dollar movies I see coming from Hollywood. It's like they think spectacle and scandal are what sells.Don't they see? How could you be so blind to the fact that all of the books and movies that have stood the test of time are stories that were well written.In case my opinion isn't obvious, structure is what sells. A story that makes sense will always sell better than a story where the entire universe is saved.We don't watch a movie again to see giant robots bust each other's chops. We come back for the satisfying moment when the pieces come together: when the villain robot is done in by a clever human.
The best stories are symmetrical. They circle back, and reference themselves. They show us the same themes from multiple angles. Often times, the end happens at the same place as the beginning. And in some time-travel stories, at the same time as the beginning.This is so important because our brains are wired to recognize patterns. And when we read a story that circles back on itself like that, it tickles that part of our brains; the story becomes so much more enjoyable and memorable.This is what I call Continuity. When the narrative tells the same story from beginning to end.I've been analyzing stories for almost as long as I can remember. I love to take my favorite stories, pick them apart, and discover why they work.I have a particular love for Science Fiction, and the other speculative genres. In part because I love science, and that feeling of discovering something new and wonderful. But I think mostly because I love stories, and, as Steve Laube so elegantly put it, "Fantasy is the purest form of storytelling."
Speculative stories allow us to stretch the boundaries of the human experience.
ResourcesSome resources that greatly influenced my understanding of how stories work include: the Go Teen Writers blog, the One Year Adventure Novel curriculum, and the Writing Excuses podcast. Also check out K. M. Weiland's blog, and the Save the Cat books.Another great resource is Havok, which publishes speculative flash fiction every weekday. They're always open to submissions, and I can't recommend publishing with them enough. You'll grow so much as a writer. I know I did. Plus, you get a small taste of what it's like to work with professional publishers.What about you? What are some of your favorite writing resources? Do you love stories as much as I do?
Send me an email at [email protected]
Origami tessellation: Watering Fujimoto's Garden, designed by Chris Palmer, folded by Sam Sleep
Services
I do a complementary five page critique, to make sure you're getting the edits you're looking for. If you like my editing style, then we'll talk about your entire manuscript.I take about three weeks to review the first five pages. A full manuscript will be more like 8-12 weeks, depending on the length.I charge $0.015/word.
That means a 50k word manuscript will cost $750. Via PayPal is the most convenient for me, but we can work that out after your five page critique.Please format your manuscript (or five pages) as follows:
- 12 point font
- Times New Roman, Ariel, or Currier/New Currier font
- Double Spaced
- 1" margins all aroundIt's not a requirement, but I like to use Google Docs, because it makes it easy to add comments and suggestions there.
My editing focuses on believable character motivations and settings, as well as narrative and thematic continuity.I have a policy not to give a critique without offering a solution.
That said, I don't expect you to take all of my suggestions. I'm fine if you don't take any of them. I know how hard it is to break out of a creative rut. My suggestions are to help you jumpstart your creativity, so we can work together to a solution your happy with.If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, hit the button below, or pop me an email at [email protected] and send me your first five pages. I look forward to working with you!
About
When I was a kid, my older sister joined a writing group with some young adults at our church. And since she was cool, and I wanted to do everything that she did, I decided that I wanted to tell stories, too. I ended up practically growing up on the Go Teen Writers blog.Once I was a little older, I realized that storytelling was something I might be able to do professionally. That led me to invest in the One Year Adventure Novel curriculum with a couple of my siblings. I never finished that novel, but Daniel Schwabauer's teachings finally gave me the tools I needed to begin analyzing stories on my own. After that, I devoured every story I could get my hands on. I read screenplays and novels, watched movies and TV shows. I analyzed everything, and grew my understanding in leaps and bounds.Since then, I've read and listened to various teachers on writing. I deepened my understanding of the fundamentals with the Writing Excuses podcast. I read Save the Cat, and The Screenwriter's Bible. Conflict and Suspense, by James Scott Bell. After a certain point, it all starts to sound the same.Which is why I get excited when I hear people who talk about story differently, like Steven James, author of Story Trumps Structure. I love how he takes everything I've heard, and turns it on its head.
When I'm not analyzing my favorite movies and books, or procrastinating writing my own stories, I'll be working on one of my many hobbies. I've been having a blast making music lately. I also enjoy a lot of origami, Lego, and a handful of video games. The most recent addition is crochet.
I am well aware that I have too many hobbies.You can also find me at my church, hanging out with my friends, or occasionally leading worship with my family.I believe the stories we tell show our worldview more clearly than anything else. That's the power and the danger of Story.My worldview is informed by the Bible. If you're interested, I think Exodus 34:6-7 and John 3:16 are two of the most important passages. But the Bible is full of stories and symmetry. I love reading it and looking for those. No matter how many times I read it, I see something new every time.But enough about me! Hit that button, or write me at [email protected] and tell me about yourself.
What's your favorite story in the Bible? Do you have too many hobbies, too?
p.s. #sorrynotsorry for all the alliteration. I will not deny myself the joys of language. :-j