The hidden power of Symmetry in Story
John Yorke explores the importance of symmetry to great storytelling, and why the midpoint sits firmly at the heart of it.
Articles
Read stories from John, our experts and community, and find out more about the world of narrative structure in exclusive interviews with screenwriters, producers, games writers, copywriters, and filmmakers. Start browsing or select a category below.
Exclusive First Look: Trip to the Moon
We present the complete introductory chapter to John Yorke’s new book, Trip to the Moon.
SPOTLIGHT: How a Talk with My Father Became Trip To The Moon
John Yorke explains how a conversation with his father first revealed the true power of words and set him on a lifelong exploration of story.
Spotlight: Trip To The Moon – Why?
John Yorke reflects on two decades of writer training for the BBC and how that inspired both his bestselling book Into the Woods and its long-awaited follow-up, Trip To The Moon.
HOW TO PITCH A TV SERIES OR MOVIE … AND YOURSELF
Writing the script is just the beginning – getting it seen is another skill entirely. Emma Millions shares three essential ingredients for a great pitch, and why you should put yourself at the heart of it.
Spotlight: The War Over the ‘Hero’s Journey’
In this article exclusive to JYS subscribers, John explores a question that has bubbled under the surface of the screenwriting world for a long time: is narrative structure a prison?
Spotlight: Archetypal storytelling in documentary film
In this article exclusive to JYS subscribers, John examines the power of archetypal storytelling in documentaries, from Free Solo to Nanook of the North.
Improve your podcast with these five storytelling tips
How do you create a podcast which hooks an audience and keeps them coming back for more? John Yorke gives his quick storytelling tips.
Guide to game writing: When and why to use ‘in medias res’
In medias res can hook players instantly but can also risk disrupting that balance. Story for Video Games tutor Stuart Maine explores its benefits, challenges and when to use it.
