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Amazing advice. I felt that tug of emotion when you set the scene with the mother who didn’t bond until her child was in danger.

Excellent points, Ben! I hope your novel gets picked up soon by traditional publishing. :)

This is fantastic. You state clearly and succinctly a crucial concept that I (to my shame) have only hinted at in my videos so far. And contrast is important for far more than just emotion (though that is one of its most important functions). Contrasts between characters, contrasts (and parallels) between A a B stories, contrasts in energy between juxtaposed scenes (e.g. following an intense action scene with a scene of reflection and development), etc. Irony - possibly THE most crucial element of effective storytelling - is all about contrast. In verbal irony there's a contrast between content and tone. In situational irony a contrast between expectation and reality. In dramatic irony a contrast between unknowing character and knowing reader/viewer. Love your take and presentation. I see from your recent vid that you've just returned from a hiatus, so I look forward to more. Keep up the great work! (I bought your book, too. Looking forward to it.)

Excellent video. You put words to something I knew, but never thought to describe, and now it’s a tool in the tool belt. Cheers.

Well said! Agreed.

First! One day this video will have like a million views and this is where it will have started! XD Great tips bro, especially about contrast, that could actually be a really useful technique!

Great video.

Great video. I like your point about contrasts creating good emotional moments. One of the reasons I really enjoyed the Lethal Weapon movies was because they would have personal, and often humorous, discussions during the big action scenes with explosions and bad guys shooting at them. Matchbox 20 is one of my favorite bands because the music sounds fun and happy, but when you listen to words it's actually quite depressing; Rob Thomas is very good at creating those contrasts. I recently finished reading an advanced reader copy of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir and the end had me tearing up (even though I predicted what would happen); the book was very science-heavy, but also about relationships.

Gotta love that shift in earthbound! Stories that do this well always blow me away (but I didn't always know why) - so to hear you explain it like this really feels like unearthing a secret formula!

Amazing advice as always Ben I did feel that pull in the scene with the mother, and the butterfly in Les Mis.

Love ur videos. Came across it just yesterday n now am hooked. Hope u get ur millions of subscribers n get that book deal u so deserve. Good job!

Excellent advice!