Story First.
Story First.
Story First.
Words Last.
Words Last.
Words Last.
Preorder Stop Writing!
Releases June 2026
Releases June 2026
Releases June 2026
The software transforms stories.
The book transforms you.
The software transforms stories.
The book transforms you.
This book isn't just about writing. It's about writers—how to stop and think at each phase of a story's development. You'll learn why some stories work and others collapse—and how to spot the failure points before draft one: weak premise, fuzzy protagonist desire, underfed antagonism, sagging stakes, dead middle, and endings that never earn their final turn. In this book, professional writing coach David Cornue unpacks the complete STOP WRITING! methodology—the same three-dimensional method that's helped writers go on to sell to networks, studios, publishers, and Broadway.
This book isn't just about writing. It's about writers—how to stop and think at each phase of a story's development. You'll learn why some stories work and others collapse—and how to spot the failure points before draft one: weak premise, fuzzy protagonist desire, underfed antagonism, sagging stakes, dead middle, and endings that never earn their final turn. In this book, professional writing coach David Cornue unpacks the complete STOP WRITING! methodology—the same three-dimensional method that's helped writers go on to sell to networks, studios, publishers, and Broadway.
Get the Book
Get the Book
Choose Your Format
Choose Your Format
Hardcover
$59
Hardcover
$59
Paperback
$24.99
Paperback
$24.99
Kindle
$14.99
Kindle
$14.99
Audiobook
$24.99
Audiobook
$24.99
Get the Book
Choose Your Format
Hardcover
$59
Paperback
$24.99
Kindle
$14.99
Audiobook
$24.99
The software transforms stories.
The book transforms you.
This book isn't just about writing. It's about writers—how to stop and think at each phase of a story's development. You'll learn why some stories work and others collapse—and how to spot the failure points before draft one: weak premise, fuzzy protagonist desire, underfed antagonism, sagging stakes, dead middle, and endings that never earn their final turn. In this book, professional writing coach David Cornue unpacks the complete STOP WRITING! methodology—the same three-dimensional method that's helped writers go on to sell to networks, studios, publishers, and Broadway.
Get the Book
Choose Your Format
Hardcover
$59
Paperback
$24.99
Kindle
$14.99
Audiobook
$24.99
Get the Book
Choose Your Format
Hardcover
$59
Paperback
$24.99
Kindle
$14.99
Audiobook
$24.99
The software transforms stories.
The book transforms you.
This book isn't just about writing. It's about writers—how to stop and think at each phase of a story's development. You'll learn why some stories work and others collapse—and how to spot the failure points before draft one: weak premise, fuzzy protagonist desire, underfed antagonism, sagging stakes, dead middle, and endings that never earn their final turn. In this book, professional writing coach David Cornue unpacks the complete STOP WRITING! methodology—the same three-dimensional method that's helped writers go on to sell to networks, studios, publishers, and Broadway.
Get the Book
Choose Your Format
Hardcover
$59
Paperback
$24.99
Kindle
$14.99
Audiobook
$24.99
Get the Book
Choose Your Format
Hardcover
$59
Paperback
$24.99
Kindle
$14.99
Audiobook
$24.99
What's Inside
What's Inside
What's Inside
What's Inside
The book goes deeper into developing YOU as a writer. You'll master:
The book goes deeper into developing YOU as a writer. You'll master:
The book goes deeper into developing YOU as a writer. You'll master:
The book goes deeper into developing YOU as a writer. You'll master:
The Three Dimensional Framework
Why stories fail in predictable ways—and how to prevent the most common collapses before they happen. Learn the compl-te ENVISION → ENGINEER → EXECUTE system, from initial spark to final draft.
The Three Dimensional Framework
Why stories fail in predictable ways—and how to prevent the most common collapses before they happen. Learn the compl-te ENVISION → ENGINEER → EXECUTE system, from initial spark to final draft.
The Three Dimensional Framework
Why stories fail in predictable ways—and how to prevent the most common collapses before they happen. Learn the compl-te ENVISION → ENGINEER → EXECUTE system, from initial spark to final draft.
The Three Dimensional Framework
Why stories fail in predictable ways—and how to prevent the most common collapses before they happen. Learn the compl-te ENVISION → ENGINEER → EXECUTE system, from initial spark to final draft.
The Musical Architecture of Story
David's background as a classical composer reveals what screenwriting books miss: story structure follows the same patterns as musical composition. Once you hear it, you can't unhear it.
The Musical Architecture of Story
David's background as a classical composer reveals what screenwriting books miss: story structure follows the same patterns as musical composition. Once you hear it, you can't unhear it.
The Musical Architecture of Story
David's background as a classical composer reveals what screenwriting books miss: story structure follows the same patterns as musical composition. Once you hear it, you can't unhear it.
The Musical Architecture of Story
David's background as a classical composer reveals what screenwriting books miss: story structure follows the same patterns as musical composition. Once you hear it, you can't unhear it.
The Pre-Writing Mindset
The mental shift that separates professionals from amateurs. Why writers who sell spend more time thinking than typing—and why that paradox pays.
The Pre-Writing Mindset
The mental shift that separates professionals from amateurs. Why writers who sell spend more time thinking than typing—and why that paradox pays.
The Pre-Writing Mindset
The mental shift that separates professionals from amateurs. Why writers who sell spend more time thinking than typing—and why that paradox pays.
The Pre-Writing Mindset
The mental shift that separates professionals from amateurs. Why writers who sell spend more time thinking than typing—and why that paradox pays.
Practical Tools & Templates
Every framework from the software, explained in depth. The 7-part logline. The 15-trait rating system. The character creation matrix. All of it un- packed and demystified.
Practical Tools & Templates
Every framework from the software, explained in depth. The 7-part logline. The 15-trait rating system. The character creation matrix. All of it un- packed and demystified.
Practical Tools & Templates
Every framework from the software, explained in depth. The 7-part logline. The 15-trait rating system. The character creation matrix. All of it un- packed and demystified.
Practical Tools & Templates
Every framework from the software, explained in depth. The 7-part logline. The 15-trait rating system. The character creation matrix. All of it un- packed and demystified.
The Software or The Book?
The Software or The Book?
Both. Here's how they work together.
Both. Here's how they work together.
Both. Here's how they work together.
The Software: Your Coach
dAIvid guides you through your specific projects
Real-time feedback on your actual story ideas
Interactive tools that catch problems as they emerge
Fast iteration when you want momentum
The Software: Your Coach
dAIvid guides you through your specific projects
Real-time feedback on your actual story ideas
Interactive tools that catch problems as they emerge
Fast iteration when you want momentum
The Book: Your Education
Deep theory that rewires how you think about story
The "why" behind every tool and technique
Pattern-recognition you can carry into any genre
The long-game craft upgrade
The Book: Your Education
Deep theory that rewires how you think about story
The "why" behind every tool and technique
Pattern-recognition you can carry into any genre
The long-game craft upgrade
Use the software to develop your current project.
Read the book to elevate your craft.
Use the software to develop your current project. Read the book to elevate your craft.
The Software or The Book?
Both. Here's how they work together.
The Software: Your Coach
dAIvid guides you through your specific projects
Real-time feedback on your actual story ideas
Interactive tools that catch problems as they emerge
Fast iteration when you want momentum
The Book: Your Education
Deep theory that rewires how you think about story
The "why" behind every tool and technique
Pattern-recognition you can carry into any genre
The long-game craft upgrade
Use the software to develop your current project.
Read the book to elevate your craft.
The Software or The Book?
Both. Here's how they work together.
The Software: Your Coach
dAIvid guides you through your specific projects
Real-time feedback on your actual story ideas
Interactive tools that catch problems as they emerge
Fast iteration when you want momentum
The Book: Your Education
Deep theory that rewires how you think about story
The "why" behind every tool and technique
Pattern-recognition you can carry into any genre
The long-game craft upgrade
Use the software to develop your current project.
Read the book to elevate your craft.
Skip the Checkout
Skip the Checkout
Skip the Checkout
Skip the Checkout
Every annual software plan includes the book. Higher tiers unlock more formats. The education and the coach for one price.
Every annual software plan includes the book. Higher tiers unlock more formats. The education and the coach for one price.
Subscribe Annually
Starter Annual = Kindle Professional Annual = Kindle + Audiobook Max Annual = Paperback + Kindle + Audiobook
Starter Annual = Kindle Professional Annual = Kindle + Audiobook Max Annual = Paperback + Kindle + Audiobook
Starter Annual = Kindle
Professional Annual = Kindle + Audiobook
Max Annual = Paperback + Kindle + Audiobook
Starter Annual = Kindle
Professional Annual = Kindle + Audiobook Max Annual = Paperback + Kindle + Audiobook
Starter Annual = Kindle Professional Annual = Kindle + Audiobook Max Annual = Paperback + Kindle + Audiobook
What Writers Are Saying
What Writers Are Saying
What Writers Are Saying
What Writers Are Saying
An extraordinary act of generosity. David has engineered how to translate ideas to the page—and he's sharing that knowledge. I've never come across a better guide for writers.
Adam R. Perlman
Writer/Executive Producer, Billions
An extraordinary act of generosity. David has engineered how to translate ideas to the page—and he's sharing that knowledge. I've never come across a better guide for writers.
Adam R. Perlman
Writer/Executive Producer, Billions
An extraordinary act of generosity. David has engineered how to translate ideas to the page—and he's sharing that knowledge. I've never come across a better guide for writers.
Adam R. Perlman
Writer/Executive Producer, Billions
An extraordinary act of generosity. David has engineered how to translate ideas to the page—and he's sharing that knowledge. I've never come across a better guide for writers.
Adam R. Perlman
Writer/Executive Producer, Billions
An extraordinary act of generosity. David has engineered how to translate ideas to the page—and he's sharing that knowledge. I've never come across a better guide for writers.
Adam R. Perlman
Writer/Executive Producer, Billions
“Belongs next to Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat! and Robert McKee’s Story. It demystifies the development process without flattening a writer’s voice.”
Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso
Tony & Emmy Award-winning Producer
“Belongs next to Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat! and Robert McKee’s Story. It demystifies the development process without flattening a writer’s voice.”
Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso
Tony & Emmy Award-winning Producer
“Belongs next to Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat! and Robert McKee’s Story. It demystifies the development process without flattening a writer’s voice.”
Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso
Tony & Emmy Award-winning Producer
“Belongs next to Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat! and Robert McKee’s Story. It demystifies the development process without flattening a writer’s voice.”
Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso
Tony & Emmy Award-winning Producer
“Belongs next to Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat! and Robert McKee’s Story. It demystifies the development process without flattening a writer’s voice.”
Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso
Tony & Emmy Award-winning Producer
“My writing career falls into two eras: before and after reading STOP WRITING! Once you try this approach, there’s no turning back.”
Alex Goldberg
The Umbrella Academy and Undone
“My writing career falls into two eras: before and after reading STOP WRITING! Once you try this approach, there’s no turning back.”
Alex Goldberg
The Umbrella Academy and Undone
“My writing career falls into two eras: before and after reading STOP WRITING! Once you try this approach, there’s no turning back.”
Alex Goldberg
The Umbrella Academy and Undone
“My writing career falls into two eras: before and after reading STOP WRITING! Once you try this approach, there’s no turning back.”
Alex Goldberg
The Umbrella Academy and Undone
“My writing career falls into two eras: before and after reading STOP WRITING! Once you try this approach, there’s no turning back.”
Alex Goldberg
The Umbrella Academy and Undone
“Should be required reading for anyone trying to write—or trying to write better. David Cornue has created a brilliant toolbox that changed my entire process. I’ll return to this gold mine for years.”
Xander Bernstein
Save the Cat! Competition Winner; podcast writer
“Should be required reading for anyone trying to write—or trying to write better. David Cornue has created a brilliant toolbox that changed my entire process. I’ll return to this gold mine for years.”
Xander Bernstein
Save the Cat! Competition Winner; podcast writer
“Should be required reading for anyone trying to write—or trying to write better. David Cornue has created a brilliant toolbox that changed my entire process. I’ll return to this gold mine for years.”
Xander Bernstein
Save the Cat! Competition Winner; podcast writer
“Should be required reading for anyone trying to write—or trying to write better. David Cornue has created a brilliant toolbox that changed my entire process. I’ll return to this gold mine for years.”
Xander Bernstein
Save the Cat! Competition Winner; podcast writer
“Should be required reading for anyone trying to write—or trying to write better. David Cornue has created a brilliant toolbox that changed my entire process. I’ll return to this gold mine for years.”
Xander Bernstein
Save the Cat! Competition Winner; podcast writer
A Note From the Author
A Note From the Author
A Note From the Author
A Note From the Author
I spent ten years coaching professional writers in workshops and one-on-one. The most persistent problem: writing too soon.
With a healthy dose of tough love, I showed writers how to marry inspiration with structure. Sessions ended with clarity, relief, and a plan. Drafts stopped wandering. Writers started selling.
How? I trained as a composer first—a brain wired to see patterns. I pointed mine at story structure and built frameworks from what I found. They worked.
The waitlist grew. Clients kept nudging me: "Put this in a book." They had a point. One coach has a calendar. A book has reach.
This isn't a feel-good book about spilling your heart onto the page. Spill it all you want—just build the container first. STOP WRITING! exists to make sure the story holds before the sentences arrive.
I wrote it because there's no better escape from reality than a story that fires on all cylinders—and the more people who know how to build one, the better.
Also, I got tired of apologizing for a six-month waitlist.
I spent ten years coaching professional writers in workshops and one-on-one. The most persistent problem: writing too soon.
With a healthy dose of tough love, I showed writers how to marry inspiration with structure. Sessions ended with clarity, relief, and a plan. Drafts stopped wandering. Writers started selling.
How? I trained as a composer first—a brain wired to see patterns. I pointed mine at story structure and built frameworks from what I found. They worked.
The waitlist grew. Clients kept nudging me: "Put this in a book." They had a point. One coach has a calendar. A book has reach.
This isn't a feel-good book about spilling your heart onto the page. Spill it all you want—just build the container first. STOP WRITING! exists to make sure the story holds before the sentences arrive.
I wrote it because there's no better escape from reality than a story that fires on all cylinders—and the more people who know how to build one, the better.
Also, I got tired of apologizing for a six-month waitlist.
I spent ten years coaching professional writers in workshops and one-on-one. The most persistent problem: writing too soon.
With a healthy dose of tough love, I showed writers how to marry inspiration with structure. Sessions ended with clarity, relief, and a plan. Drafts stopped wandering. Writers started selling.
How? I trained as a composer first—a brain wired to see patterns. I pointed mine at story structure and built frameworks from what I found. They worked.
The waitlist grew. Clients kept nudging me: "Put this in a book." They had a point. One coach has a calendar. A book has reach.
This isn't a feel-good book about spilling your heart onto the page. Spill it all you want—just build the container first. STOP WRITING! exists to make sure the story holds before the sentences arrive.
I wrote it because there's no better escape from reality than a story that fires on all cylinders—and the more people who know how to build one, the better.
Also, I got tired of apologizing for a six-month waitlist.
I spent ten years coaching professional writers in workshops and one-on-one. The most persistent problem: writing too soon.
With a healthy dose of tough love, I showed writers how to marry inspiration with structure. Sessions ended with clarity, relief, and a plan. Drafts stopped wandering. Writers started selling.
How? I trained as a composer first—a brain wired to see patterns. I pointed mine at story structure and built frameworks from what I found. They worked.
The waitlist grew. Clients kept nudging me: "Put this in a book." They had a point. One coach has a calendar. A book has reach.
This isn't a feel-good book about spilling your heart onto the page. Spill it all you want—just build the container first. STOP WRITING! exists to make sure the story holds before the sentences arrive.
I wrote it because there's no better escape from reality than a story that fires on all cylinders—and the more people who know how to build one, the better.
Also, I got tired of apologizing for a six-month waitlist.
— David Cornue
— David Cornue
— David Cornue
— David Cornue
— David Cornue
David Cornue is a professional writing coach, classically trained composer, and writer-producer. He has sold television and film projects to major studios and networks. His credits include ABC’s medical drama TRIAGE, directed by Jon M. Chu (WICKED), and ESPN+’s COACH with Bill Belichick, where he served as Executive Producer. Cornue founded Chapter, an exclusive script development service. He spent a decade in writers’ rooms, development meetings, and coaching sessions refining the methodology that became STOP WRITING!
David Cornue is a professional writing coach, classically trained composer, and writer-producer. He has sold television and film projects to major studios and networks. His credits include ABC’s medical drama TRIAGE, directed by Jon M. Chu (WICKED), and ESPN+’s COACH with Bill Belichick, where he served as Executive Producer. Cornue founded Chapter, an exclusive script development service. He spent a decade in writers’ rooms, development meetings, and coaching sessions refining the methodology that became STOP WRITING!
David Cornue is a professional writing coach, classically trained composer, and writer-producer. He has sold television and film projects to major studios and networks. His credits include ABC’s medical drama TRIAGE, directed by Jon M. Chu (WICKED), and ESPN+’s COACH with Bill Belichick, where he served as Executive Producer. Cornue founded Chapter, an exclusive script development service. He spent a decade in writers’ rooms, development meetings, and coaching sessions refining the methodology that became STOP WRITING!
Story First. Words Last.
Read the book that guides you through everything you need to do before you write a word.
Story First. Words Last.
Read the book that guides you through everything you need to do before you write a word.
Story First. Words Last.
Read the book that guides you through everything you need to do before you write a word.
Story First. Words Last.
Read the book that guides you through everything you need to do before you write a word.