Below are seven assignments that include important supplemental guidance. All of them are vital to reaching an understanding of the critical elements that go into the creation of a commercially viable literary project, whether novel or narrative non-fiction. There is more to it, of course, much more, but this is an excellent primer. Pay special attention to antagonistic force, breakout title, conflict issues, core wound, and setting. Quiet novels do not sell. Michael Neff Algonkian Conferences Chief Editor __________________________________________________________ THE ACT OF STORY STATEMENT Before you begin to consider or rewrite your story premise, you must develop a simple "story statement." In other words, what is the mission of your protagonist? Their goal? What must be done? What must she or he create? Destroy? Save? Accomplish? Defeat? ... Consider the following classics. Defy the dictator of the city and bury brother’s body (ANTIGONE)? Pla...