Justin Kownacki

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Luke, Leia, Rey, Finn, Poe, Rose, Kylo Ren, and the cast of Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Armchair Sociology

17 Storytelling Moments That Defined 2017

From Donald Trump to The Last Jedi, here are 17 of the stories that defined us politically, culturally, scientifically, financially, and socially in 2017.

By Justin, 7 yearsDecember 19, 2017 ago
Dinner
Armchair Sociology

Your Awkward Holiday Conversation Survival Guide

Here’s how to keep your next family gathering from turning into a minefield of awkward conversations.

By Justin, 8 yearsNovember 22, 2017 ago
Business Advice

The Secret That Gets People Talking About You and Your Business

I recently heard a PR vendor ask her client what their upcoming stories were. “Well, we have a new feature.” The client then explained what the feature is and what it does. “Okay,” said the PR pro. “But what’s the story?” “What do you mean?” “I mean what problem does Read more…

By Justin, 8 yearsMarch 29, 2017 ago
Armchair Sociology

The Other Guy Didn’t Win; You Just Failed to Convince People

In politics, business, love and war, we’re tempted to reduce all conflicts to a winner and a loser. By doing this, we imply that one side’s argument (or army) defeated the other soundly. In reality, this rarely happens. That’s because the margin between victory and defeat is often just a Read more…

By Justin, 11 yearsMay 6, 2014 ago
Armchair Sociology

The Commencement Speech I Wish Someone Had Given at My Graduation

I don’t remember a word from my graduation. I don’t even remember who spoke at it, much less what they said. That’s partly because I was exhausted (our art school staged our portfolio review and our graduation on the same day), but also because people rarely say anything memorable during Read more…

By Justin, 12 yearsMay 19, 2013 ago
Social Media

What I Learned by Reading Everything

Last week, Ian M. Rountree and I started Read It All Week, a challenge to read everything we were subscribed to — especially all the blogs we so easily subscribe to, but never actually absorb.  We did this for two reasons: To reconsider why we subscribe to certain kinds of Read more…

By Justin, 15 yearsJuly 26, 2010 ago
Armchair Sociology

3 Myths About Social Media Debunked

On Sunday nights, Mack Collier runs a Twitter-based group chat called #blogchat, which I highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about blogging while hobnobbing with their peers. But, based on the defensive reaction to some of my comments from several of the #blogchat participants, I’ve realized that Read more…

By Justin, 15 yearsJuly 19, 2010 ago
Armchair Sociology

The Popularity Paradox: Why Do We Hate Pop Culture?

I don’t know anybody who loves pop radio. I know people who listen to it ironically, as though they’re not comfortable admitting they don’t entirely hate Lady Gaga.  And I know people who admit to liking just Lady Gaga, or just Usher, but still insist they “hate the radio.” But Read more…

By Justin, 15 yearsJune 21, 2010 ago

Popular Posts

  • • What Makes Game of Thrones So Addictive?
  • • This Storytelling Flaw Ruined the New Star Wars Trilogy
  • • Why Does Every Marvel Movie Tell the Same Story?
  • • Cobra Kai: How to Build Character Through Conflict
  • • How Iron Man Created the Formula for Every Marvel Movie

Latest Posts

  • • Worldbuilding and Exposition: 6 Writing Tips from Dune
  • • Writing a Perfect Scene: Bunk vs. Omar in The Wire
  • • Screenwriting Lessons from ALIENS
  • • The Story Problem at the Heart of the Snyder Cut
  • • WandaVision's Biggest Question Gets Deep
  • • Why The Queen's Gambit Is Such Smart Storytelling

Frequent Topics

  • • DC
  • • Game of Thrones
  • • Marvel
  • • Star Wars

What Writing Skill Do You Want to Improve?

  • • Character
  • • Pacing
  • • Plot
  • • Story Structure
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