The first lesson I received from my teachers about the art of storytelling was to never write „And then…“ when describing a sequence of events. But, as somebody once said:
„One good slogan can prevent thinking for centuries…“
So this lesson I had learned from my teachers proved to be wrong. I realized, (almost too late) that: „What Happens Next?“ is in reality the core of storytelling.
My teachers intentions were good, but he or she (I don’t remember) had prevented me from storytelling. Not realizing the effect their words would have on future generations, the constant comparisons with „Great Poets“ opinions on storytelling also have the ability to destroy talent. So it happened that I myself learned the greatest lessons about storytelling from ‘trivial’ literature. I had discovered that the best writers wrote not because of, but contrary to the influence of teachers.
Events form a chain, and this sequence of events, this chain of cause and effect, is the structure of the story. The story does not have to be a good one. The events in the chain of cause and effect don’t even have to be connected or logical. But if you’re telling of these events causes your audience to ask „What Happens Next“, you are telling a good story.
Look at Kermit the Frog:
The expected chain of events produces the suspense every story needs. The happening of the unexpected produces the joke.
Die erste Lektion über das Geschichtenerzählen, welche ich von meinen Lehrern empfing, war: Schreibe nie: “Und dann …“. Aber, wie jemand sagte:
„Ein guter Slogan kann das Denken für Jahrhunderte aufhalten.“
So, auch diese Lehre war also falsch. Mir wurde klar, sehr spät, dass dieses „Was kommt als Nächstes?“ nichts anderes ist als der Kern des Erzählens.





