Tale Spinning

A Story-Structure Method

Tale Spinning — Courses

The Courses

These courses are the backbone of the Tale Spinning Method, in reading order: Storytelling Fundamentals first (free), then one Story Type at a time, starting with the Kind Comedy. Every course is read right here, and your progress follows you on any device you sign in on.

Free course · 7 chapters

Storytelling Fundamentals

How stories actually work, and how to tell which one you are writing.

The foundation of the whole method: the four Story Types and how to tell which one you’re writing, why character arc and plot are the same job, and how moral transformation drives structure. Works in any medium. The Story Type Guide (PDF) is waiting on your course page.

Enroll free →

Free. No credit card.

Course · 38 chapters · 5 parts · $49

The Kind Comedy Course

Underdog stories that earn a happy ending.

The underdog story, taken apart and rebuilt: why a hero has to be worse off than everyone around them, what the world has to do to them to force a change, and how an ending earns its happiness instead of granting it. You finish with a full story outline, ready to write.

Start with Storytelling Fundamentals first — it’s free, and this course assumes it.

  • Two full film breakdowns: Ratatouille and In Bruges
  • 12 hands-on exercises that outline your own story as you read
  • 120+ pages of course content
  • Works for novels, screenplays, games, or any narrative medium
The Kind Tragedy choice — illustration

In development

The Kind Tragedy Course

The next Story Type down: a villainous Protagonist refuses to change, and a good world makes an example of them. In the workshop now.

Soon

The Newsletter

Something you can use on any story, every week. Start with the Story Type Guide, free.