Pixar has some concrete ideas as to what makes a good story.  Since they made a ton of great movies (Toy Story 1, 2, and 3, Cars, Wal-E, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles).

Let’s hear what they have to say.

#1: You admire a character for trying more than for their successes.

#2: You gotta keep in mind what’s interesting to you as an audience, not what’s fun to do as a writer. They can be very different.

#3: Trying for theme is important, but you won’t see what the story is actually about til you’re at the end of it. Now rewrite.

#4: Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. One day ___. Because of that, ___. Because of that, ___. Until finally ___.

#5: Simplify. Focus. Combine characters. Hop over detours. You’ll feel like you’re losing valuable stuff but it sets you free.

#6: What is your character good at, comfortable with? Throw the polar opposite at them. Challenge them. How do they deal?

#7: Come up with your ending before you figure out your middle. Seriously. Endings are hard, get yours working up front.

#8: Finish your story, let go even if it’s not perfect. In an ideal world you have both, but move on. Do better next time.

#9: When you’re stuck, make a list of what WOULDN’T happen next. Lots of times the material to get you unstuck will show up.

#10: Pull apart the stories you like. What you like in them is a part of you; you’ve got to recognize it before you can use it.

#11: Putting it on paper lets you start fixing it. If it stays in your head, a perfect idea, you’ll never share it with anyone.

#12: Discount the 1st thing that comes to mind. And the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th – get the obvious out of the way. Surprise yourself.

#13: Give your characters opinions. Passive/malleable might seem likable to you as you write, but it’s poison to the audience.

#14: Why must you tell THIS story? What’s the belief burning within you that your story feeds off of? That’s the heart of it.

#15: If you were your character, in this situation, how would you feel? Honesty lends credibility to unbelievable situations.

#16: What are the stakes? Give us reason to root for the character. What happens if they don’t succeed? Stack the odds against.

#17: No work is ever wasted. If it’s not working, let go and move on – it’ll come back around to be useful later.

#18: You have to know yourself: the difference between doing your best & fussing. Story is testing, not refining.

#19: Coincidences to get characters into trouble are great; coincidences to get them out of it are cheating.

#20: Exercise: take the building blocks of a movie you dislike. How d’you rearrange them into what you DO like?

#21: You gotta identify with your situation/characters, can’t just write ‘cool’. What would make YOU act that way?

#22: What’s the essence of your story? Most economical telling of it? If you know that, you can build out from there.

 Flawed Characters are what make movies INTERESTING.  Here is a list of potential character flaws you can write into YOUR characters:

• Immature-You might be an adult, but you sure don’t act like it.
• Indecisive-You can’t make up your mind to save your life.
• Judgmental-You think rather harshly of others, and you’re not afraid to say so.
• Loner-You want to be alone…A lot.
• Materialistic-You want money and the fine things in life…and lots of it.
• Morose-You have the biggest sense of doom and gloom ever.
• Melodramatic-Whatever you feel, you feel it with emphasis.
• Obnoxious-You have a way to get on people’s nerves.
• Rash-You make split-second decisions, usually based on emotion alone.
• Resentful-You can hold a grudge like nobody’s business.
• Ruthless-You show no mercy for anything or anyone.
• Stubborn-You have your mind made up, and there ain’t nothing that’s gonna change it!
• Sarcastic-You have a pretty harsh attitude, full of mocking and scornful remarks.
• Self-absorbed-There’s only one thing that’s important in your life…You.
• Submissive-You don’t stand up for yourself much…if at all.
• Spendthrift-Money is no object to you!
• Tyrannical-You want to be the one in charge and the ruler of all, no matter what.
• Uncaring-You just don’t care about anything or anyone!
• Vengeful-You will avenge whatever wrongs others have committed against you…No matter what the cost.
• Vulgar-You don’t watch your language very much, nor do you care to.
• Crass-You don’t have a whole lot of class in what you say or do.
• Critical-You know what’s wrong, and you’re gonna tell ’em what it is!
• Cruel-You greatly enjoy causing harm and/or pain to others.
• Cynical-Nobody can be trusted, and everyone’s got an ulterior motive, according to you.
• Detached-You don’t get too involved with the doings of those around you.
• Fidgety-You just can’t keep still for one second!
• Aloof-“…” is probably your most used line.
• Apathetic-Emotions are not your strong point.
• Argumentative-If you don’t agree with something or someone, you’re gonna make sure they know it!
• Arrogant-You have a definite opinion of yourself…”Better than everyone”.
• Big ego-You have a rather high opinion of yourself.
• Careless-You don’t think a whole lot about what you’re doing.
• Clumsy-You trip, drop things, run into objects, and fumble with things so much, it’s almost a talent.