The Story Frame

Short and funny personal stories and thoughts on how to write them.

You Don't Have Writer's Block. You Have the Opposite Problem.

Artificial constraints and mindset shifts to overcome story paralysis There are probably more than one million and one articles on how to overcome Writer's Block. Typically, the essays or listicles are a variation of "How can I overcome Writer's block? Oh, I know, write about Writer's Block...

by Carlos Garbiras — May 01, 2025 creativity editing productivity storytelling writing

Strewn Out Musical Instruments and a Shady Record Deal

A Screaming Goat Wins Four Grammy Awards (3/3) I am hyperaware of those things now with my daughters, especially with my oldest. I am complimentary of anything she does because I truly believe that kids (and adults) need less feedback and more encouragement. If you pursue any craft long enough, ...

by Carlos Garbiras — Apr 30, 2025 creativity education music productivity

My Family's Genetic Musical Gift Skipped Me

A Screaming Goat Wins Four Grammy Awards (2/3) What strikes me most about this story is how often it repeats itself and how some teachers who are supposed to encourage little ones make unsupportive comments about their students' pursuits. However, it is not only teachers who make these comments;...

by Carlos Garbiras — Apr 29, 2025 creativity education family relationships storytelling

I Know More About Shakira Than I Care to Admit

A Screaming Goat Wins Four Grammy Awards (1/3) I grew up one block away from Shakira. Okay, let me clarify this: Shakira didn't grow up there. But I grew up a block from where Shakira bought an entire apartment building for her parents. The building and the block it was on remained empty most of...

by Carlos Garbiras — Apr 28, 2025 creativity culture productivity society storytelling

Structures to Use All Anecdotes from Your Life to Write More Stories

Shortcuts to mine, discover and edit your stories The definitions below do not come from a textbook. They are the definitions of the types of stories I have developed for my craft. When I'm editing or even brainstorming, it helps me understand what kind of story I'm working with. Here are the f...

Apr 24, 2025 editing productivity storytelling writing

In Get Rich Quick Seminars, The Back is for Poor People

I am a sucker for a get-rich-quick scheme (3/3) There I was, a brand new immigrant, newly arrived in California, ready to consume all the information to get me started on the oh-so-American path from rags to riches. The seminar organizers were prepared to give me even more than I had bargained f...

by Carlos Garbiras — Apr 23, 2025 culture sales satire society

When You Are Finally Able to Afford Gold Caviar

I am a sucker for a get-rich-quick scheme The stranger made a beeline for my wife and me through the sea of Christmas shoppers, drowning in the desperation to find the perfect last-minute gift in Walnut Creek's open-air mall, Broadway Plaza. "Wow, you have an amazing smile!" He said. "Here we go...

Apr 23, 2025 culture sales satire society

I Have Been to Many 'Get Rich Quick' Seminars

I am a sucker for a get-rich-quick scheme (2/3) Jamal came by on the day of our meeting. He knocked on the door, and I let him in. The person who walked into my living room was a stranger in my friend's body who asked me, "Can any of your knives cut through a Coca-Cola can?" I felt silly admittin...

by Carlos Garbiras — Apr 22, 2025 culture sales satire society

Would You Like to Join My Multi-Level Marketing Group?

I am a sucker for a get-rich-quick scheme (1/3) The stranger made a beeline for my wife and me through the sea of Christmas shoppers, drowning in the desperation to find the perfect last-minute gift in Walnut Creek's open-air mall, Broadway Plaza. "Wow, you have an amazing smile!" He said. "Here ...

by Carlos Garbiras — Apr 21, 2025 culture personal essay sales satire

Don't Undermine Your Storytelling Authority With This Common Mistake

Note to readers: Last week, I sent you an email with a link to this blog post. The link was broken. Moving forward, I will send my blog posts inside the newsletter. You can still find them on my website, but I wanted to include the entire body of the message of the email so you don't have to c...

by Carlos Garbiras — Apr 17, 2025 editing persuasion productivity storytelling writing

Feeling in Your Ankle When a Storm Is Going to Roll by

My mom’s gift of gab convinced me to wear girly roller skates (3/3) All adults in the city break away for a few hours at noon to head home for lunch. My mom would make it home for lunch, but we lived on the fourth floor of a four-floor building—the exact floor limit to avoid building an elevato...

by Carlos Garbiras — Apr 15, 2025 coming of age memoir personal essay relationships satire

My Mom Has Labia In Spades

My mom’s gift of gab convinced me to wear girly roller skates (2/3) And my mom has "labia" in spades. So, I might've had the discerning power to know that the beef round didn't taste in any way like a burger, but I believed her when she told me that our roller skates were unisex. If anyone even...

by Carlos Garbiras — Apr 14, 2025 colombia coming of age culture parenting satire

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The Story Frame

Short and funny personal stories and thoughts on how to write them.

The Story Frame

Short and funny personal stories and thoughts on how to write them.

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