Test Stories Like Stand-Up Comics Do

Good morning,

Let's explore Paul Schrader's unconventional approach to story development - and the fascinating method he uses before writing a single page...

Here's his groundbreaking perspective on testing narratives:

"I don't give a damn what they think of my story. All I care about is: are they sitting in my narrative moment?"

Let's break down his core principles:

1. The Coffee Shop Method

• Casually share your story in informal settings

• Watch body language over gathering verbal feedback

• Test engagement through natural conversation

2. Physical Truth-Testing

• Read unconscious signals of attention

• Look for the lean-in moment

• Monitor eye contact and presence

3. Development Before Writing

• Let the story percolate through human interaction

• Only write when the "well-spring is bubbling over"

• Trust physical responses over intellectual feedback

The game-changing insight: Success in story development isn't about protecting your ideas - it's about testing them through genuine human connection before investing months in writing.

His advice for writers:

• Share stories widely and often

• Focus on engagement over feedback

• Wait for critical mass before writing

Quick mindset shift: Stop thinking about story development as a solitary intellectual exercise. Instead, treat it as a living process of human connection and response.

Keep writing,

- Brock Swinson

P.S. Here’s my full audio interview with Paul Schrader

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