But or Therefore

I saw a video of Matt Stone and Trey Parker talkiong aobut what makes for a great story, and when I first saw it I didn't get it. I even tried to get it, and I didn't. I have to say, when I read about it in this tweet that I've been writing about, I finally got it. 

I've heard this before but in different terms. I've heard that conflict is key. We've all heard that. No one wants to hear a story about someone where everything goes well. 

I've also heard that you should torture your main character. Think about some of the best stories out there, those main characters are just about killed throughout the story. They get shot at, blown up, emotionally tortured, and in some cases physically tortured. That's what keeps us watching and reading. It's the wonder of if they're going to make it out . . . if they will survive.

"If we take the beats outline and the words "and then" belong between those beats . . . you got something pretty boring. - What should happen between every beat you've written down is the words "therefore" or "but."

AND implies a simple continuation.

BUT implies conflict.

THEREFORE implies progress.

Now it makes sense. When I add this to the idea of conflict is key, and BUT creates conflict, it starts to make sense. Just about every chapter should end with BUT.