How do Stories Work?
There are millions of aspiring writers. Only a few do the right things to make the story perfect and land that deal.
Welcome to the online home of David Baboulene Ph.D.
Story Consultant. Author. Scriptwriter. Producer. Academic.
I have devoted my life to the study and creation of stories. I get excited by new stories and aspiring writers, and I love to help creatives make stories the best they can possibly be.
In addition to ten published books, I have been story consultant, producer or writer on more than 50 books, film and television productions. Maybe one day soon, yours will be another...
Welcome to the most advanced understanding of how stories work available anywhere on the planet today
This is not a formula or template, this is a contemporary, proven set of story principles, tools and methods that apply to EVERY story, ever made. Including yours. So, whether you are writing a book, film, radio play or a criminal's alibi, you will do it as well as it can be done if you start with your natural talent and then apply knowledge of how stories work. I guarantee it.
Storytelling Masterclass for Writers
Story theory in screenwriting, scriptwriting, creative writing and fiction writing for authors and screenwriters.
You will receive essential knowledge for professional screenwriting, scriptwriting, creative writing, books and even marketing with story.
Every author and screenwriter needs to know this. Further material on packaging and selling yourself and your stories to publishers and producers in the book and film industries.
We deep dive into story in twenty video lectures and use clips and short films and book extracts to give you a complete understanding of how stories work.
"Everyone who works with story needs to know what David knows." (Alex Marx - Writer/Director: The Queen of Fashion)
We deep dive into story in twenty video lectures and use clips and short films and book extracts to give you a complete understanding of how stories work.
Highly recommend for anyone looking to learn storytelling.
Fantastic course! I love how the instructor walks through each concept with detailed explanations. I feel more confident now.
The content is engaging, and the instructor knows how to keep you hooked!
Marc Zammit: Writer/Producer/Director"David Baboulene is a genius!"
The story is fundamental to everything. Obvious, right?!
And yet, the first thing writers get wrong is not completing their story to a full, professional standard.
Your natural talent must always lead the way, but if you want to sell your story, and get success, there's a lot to do above and beyond what your heart gives you.
And here's a secret: I got a career in the film industry because I understand story. Gain this knowledge and become the go-to for everybody else, from investors and producers to directors and editors. They all rely on story... and none of them understand it. This knowledge is a cheat code for becoming invaluable.
"David is The Story Ninja!"Nick Wild: Writer/Producer/Director
Producers and Directors
You career is defined by the stories you choose, and how well they are delivered.
How many films have you watched and thought: "Well, that should be 20 minutes shorter. Why did they DO that?! It cost a fortune and actually detracted from the audience experience!"
Well, they did it because nobody on the team understood where the power in the story lies. Nobody knew how to identify the power, and how to optimise the story to ensure everything is feeding into that power.
Learn the fundamentals of story theory, and you will start picking - and delivering - winners. Every time. Because you'll be making (and defending!) your decisions with actual, solid knowledge.
"David is The New Aristotle."Craig Hinde: Writer/Producer/Director
Become a story consultant
You know what we have without a story?
Absolutely nothing! Nobody even has a job.
And yet the story is generally undervalued and rarely fully understood.
EVERYBODY in any story industry can benefit from learning the fundamentals of story theory, and every project can benefit from a story expert.
Be the story person. You'll go far.
The rewards are extraordinary for people who are in story industries and actually understand stories.
Mark Halliley Scriptwriter: Hello Joe"We cannot recommend David Baboulene highly enough. His insights and expertise on story creation have been invaluable, helping us get our script to the point where we’ve sold the option and look forward to full production”
Step Outline
Bella- real world movie-maker training for making a Step Outline
I made a short film in 2021, entitled Bella. It has no conflict. No dialogue. No bad guy. I did it to demonstrate a number of knowledge gap dynamics that aren't part of the cookie-cutter formulae that are normally peddled.
I started with a simple idea for a story. I take you from there to a premise. Then a treatment. Then a step outline. Then a script. And then an actual movie, up there on the big screen. You get to see every moment of that progression, and there is a book documenting the development process. In the coming year, I'm making a full-length feature film with the same depth of engagement with the process and the detail of every step along the way.
You are welcome to come along on that journey with me.
And get this: I will be offering people the chance to come on set, to be an extra in the movie, to attend the premier. To get involved!
You can see the movie and learn about the process at the link below.
What Writers say about David
Gillan Williams Producer: Hosts (2020), Exit Plan (2016), Feed Me (2022)"David Baboulene’s insights into storytelling have been hugely helpful to our production. His in-depth understanding of plot, character motivation, and his theory of the ‘knowledge gap’ are both illuminating and valuable."
Ray C. Doyle Author: Lara's Secret<"David has a unique approach to writing. He shows you how to be complete, step-by-step, from the outset. I now have a contract for my thriller trilogy. Success is unlocked when David turns the key."
Mark Halliley Scriptwriter: Hello Joe"We cannot recommend David Baboulene highly enough. His insights and expertise on story creation have been invaluable, helping us get the script of Hallo Joe to the point where we’ve sold the option and look forward to full production”
Kris Mole Author"Once you have learnt David's revolutionary approach, you will find the proof of it in every single story you ever hear, read or watch, ever again, and you will never write in quite the same way again. David’s discoveries are a game changer for writers."
Carolyn Goodyear: Multi-Award Winning Scriptwriter"David’s love and understanding of story has elevated many of my scripts which have subsequently gone on to be produced and win awards. He’s a fantastic story consultant – encouraging and full of good ideas. I can’t imagine ever writing a script without asking David to read it."
Cheryl Neve: Writer/Director"David has been invaluable in my story development. He has improved my screenwriting immensely, and has given me the tools I need to write the best possible stories."
Steve Askham: Author: Life's a Peach! (2022)"Meeting David was an epiphany for me. It did take me a month or two to fully grasp his advice, but when it did sink in and I started to write again, I just felt so much freer and infinitely more creative. My book is now complete, and I am so, so proud of it. I am now sitting here looking at two contracts to publish."
Hannah Stevenson Producer - Eaten by Lions (2019)"The insight that David brought to our project was invaluable. David was able to turn our script that was a compelling story attracting initial interest into a page turner of a screenplay. He is creatively inspiring while maintaining a kind, collaborative humility that should not be underestimated. Thank you so much David."
Alex Marx: Writer/Director"A story is based on the psychology in the conversation between an author and an audience. David brings the world genuinely new tools and methods that give you an objective and measurable understanding of how good your story is and clarity in how to improve it. Highly recommended."
Lauraine Faulkner (Author)"Every session provided another ‘eureka moment’ for me; another sudden insight into ways to improve my stories and find direction for me as a writer."
Kris Mole: Author Gatecrashing Europe"David's work can benefit every writer on the planet. A game changer for writers."
Alex Marx: Writer/Director"Everyone who works in story industries needs to know what David Baboulene knows."
But can this actually lead anywhere..?
"I had self-published four novels before meeting David Baboulene. Solid reviews, although they didn’t sell many, but the last thing I thought I needed was input and advice on how to become a better writer (‘I’ve got the hang of this now, thanks’).
How wrong could I be? On my fifth novel, Shaking Hands with Elvis, I asked David how my story could be improved (to paraphrase Noel Coward, I loved the idea of criticism, as long as it was unqualified praise).
David’s notes blew me away. Out went the ending. Two characters were completely changed. More pace and intrigue were suggested for the early parts of the book. Did I mind? No, because besides the advice being proffered in the most positive manner imaginable, I immediately saw David had locked on with laser sharp precision to the weak points of my story. It was a pleasure to reshape and recraft following his pointers.
As well as coming out as a novel, Shaking Hands with Elvis is now being pitched as a TV series, with some name actors already in the frame. Can you imagine?!
Let me stress, I hate ‘how to write’ and ‘how to get published’ courses. One of my novels, Written Off, pokes fun at them. But having been bowled over by David’s knowledge and insight, I dived into his masterclasses, and thoroughly enjoyed the journey through story theory, dynamics, mythology and more. It’s different. It’s engaging. It’s fun. More importantly, it’s genuinely helpful.
Whatever stage you’re at on the writer’s hope and despair arc, my advice is don’t go it alone – take David along with you on the trip."