How do you craft a long story (or even a short one)? One section at-a-time.

Sometimes, storytellers get overwhelmed with big (or even small) projects. In order to get perspective, we have to break them down to "bite-size" pieces.

This can be done in many different ways. You can start with the chronological events of the story. Or you can divide it up into chunks of emotions, Donald Davis five Ps, or even the old, "Who-What-When-Where-How and Why."

However you dice up the story, break it into sections that you can focus on, one-at-a-time. One thing that can assist you in this process is using sticky notes (see previous tip on this). It's kind of like putting each portion on a different plate: protein, vegetable and starch, each on a separate plate.

Don't let yourself get weighed down by the enormity or complexity of the story. Take some steps back to see the whole picture, then focus in on only one section, one small piece at-a-time.

Ready? Get your fork and knife and let's go!