Wired for Story audiobook cover - The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence

Wired for Story

The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence

Lisa Cron

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Communication Skills

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Key Takeaways from Wired for Story

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Mind Map

Wired for Story
Evolutionary Roots+
Brain Filtering & Focus+
The Power of Emotion+
Protagonist Goals+
Specifics and Imagery+
Patterns and Expectations+
Mastery Through Practice+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the text, what is the evolutionary purpose of humanity's love for stories?
  • A. To entertain each other during long, harsh winters.
  • B. To establish social hierarchies within early human tribes.
  • C. To provide a simulated learning experience that transfers lifesaving information safely.
  • D. To develop the language centers of the early human brain.
Question 2 of 7
Why is having a precise focus (consisting of the protagonist's issue, theme, and plot) essential for a story?
  • A. It ensures the manuscript meets the standard word count expected by publishers.
  • B. It assists the brain in filtering out irrelevant details from the millions of pieces of sensory information it receives every second.
  • C. It allows the writer to avoid the difficult and time-consuming process of rewriting the first draft.
  • D. It prevents the audience from predicting the ending too early in the narrative.
Question 3 of 7
What did neuroscientist Antonio Damasio's study of a man incapable of experiencing emotions reveal about human behavior?
  • A. Without emotions, people rely entirely on logic and make superior, highly rational decisions.
  • B. A lack of emotion significantly lowers a person's IQ and cognitive processing speeds.
  • C. Without emotions, a person becomes completely unable to make even simple decisions.
  • D. People lacking emotion naturally gravitate toward creative pursuits like storytelling.
Question 4 of 7
When crafting a protagonist's goals, why are internal goals considered more vital than external goals?
  • A. Internal goals are easier for the writer to outline and resolve in the first draft.
  • B. Internal goals are universally relatable to the audience, whereas external goals often are not.
  • C. Internal goals naturally create a higher level of unpredictable action and physical suspense.
  • D. External goals usually distract the protagonist from the story's main theme.
Question 5 of 7
How does the human brain react when a story relies too heavily on generalities and abstract concepts rather than specific imagery?
  • A. It begins to drift off and lose interest because generalities are conceptually slippery to grasp.
  • B. It heightens its focus to try and decode the hidden meaning behind the abstract concepts.
  • C. It releases excess dopamine as it successfully creates its own mental images.
  • D. It immediately searches for a pattern or a setup and payoff structure to compensate.
Question 6 of 7
While the brain naturally seeks patterns (such as a setup followed by a payoff), what is a powerful technique writers can use to capture the audience's attention?
  • A. Completely avoid setups so the audience never knows what to expect.
  • B. Intentionally break an expected pattern to shock and intrigue the audience.
  • C. Repeat the exact same pattern multiple times to heavily reinforce the theme.
  • D. Delay the payoff until the sequel of the book to ensure reader loyalty.
Question 7 of 7
According to Nobel laureate Herbert Simon, what happens after about ten years of practicing a skill like writing?
  • A. The writer no longer needs to write multiple drafts of a story to achieve perfection.
  • B. The brain stops releasing dopamine during the creative process due to overexposure.
  • C. The writer's conscious mind takes full control over emotional decision-making.
  • D. Around 50,000 chunks of knowledge become internalized, making the skill intuitive.

Wired for Story — Full Chapter Overview

Wired for Story Summary & Overview

Wired for Story (2012) takes findings from modern brain science to explain why exactly certain stories suck us in, while others leave us bored and disengaged. By using some fundamental techniques drawn from understanding what makes us tick, writers can craft more compelling stories.

Who Should Listen to Wired for Story?

  • Anyone interested in writing
  • Anyone interested in brain science
  • Anyone interested in storytelling

About the Author: Lisa Cron

Lisa Cron is a writer, literary consultant and an instructor in the UCLA Extension Writers' Program. She has previously worked as a publisher at W. W. Norton, a literary agent at Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency and as a story consultant for Warner Bros.

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