G'morning, my Writing Friends!

I'm still lucky enough that my just-turned-six year old asked me to read her bedtime stories. Our eight-and-ten year-olds are beyond that, reading their own books before bed. But I still feel lucky to be reminded each night about why stories are such a part of our humanness.

Now, if there's a person who is MORE pro-storytelling, it's a woman I had the privilege of meeting and having speak to our Modern Author community: Lisa Cron.

She's got an amazing hook: Lisa Cron believes we’re wired for story... and not just for entertainment.

When I spoke with Lisa during our Modern Author Series, she made something crystal clear:

If you want to teach an idea that actually sticks... don’t just explain it. You need to create a story-driven logic chain that your reader can emotionally experience.

That’s what Lisa calls “brain science storytelling.” It’s not fluff. It’s the reason her book Wired for Story has become a favorite of both novelists and nonfiction thought leaders. And I recently picked the book back up, and I've come to realize it's even more critical as I see people relying on generative AI for their content creation game.

Maybe it'll get better, but I just don't see real, heartfelt storytelling from ChatGPT (yet). It'll get there, but in the meantime I think that's still the place where you win... your storytelling.

In this week’s Write Like a Thought Leader, we’re breaking down Lisa’s approach: the Story-Driven Logic Framework—a repeatable structure for any author who wants their ideas to be remembered, felt, and shared.

Why Lisa's Framework Works

Let me start out by saying Lisa is a total force of nature. Listen to her interviews, watch her on YouTube, or read any of her books and you'll feel like you drank from a firehose. But once you can digest and apply it, you'll realize she's giving you the keys to the kingdom. Lisa’s genius is helping writers use the reader’s brain against itself (in the best way).

1. Anchored in neuroscience (our brains crave cause-and-effect)

2, Starts with misbelief and emotional tension

3. Builds a “reason to care” before teaching anything

4. Shows the reader how the stakes shape the transformation

It doesn’t just tell you what’s true... it helps you believe it by feeling it.

When to Use This Framework

Best For:

• Nonfiction authors teaching mindset, change, or transformation
• Thought leaders sharing original frameworks or behavior-shifting ideas
• Founders, coaches, or creators trying to make their “why” and “how” feel real

Great Fit For:

• Books that aim to change habits, beliefs, or decision-making
• White papers or articles where you must win reader trust
• Talks, keynotes, or pitch narratives

If your work is about shifting perspective and driving action—this structure is for you.

The Story-Driven Logic Framework: Lisa Cron’s Writing Structure

We've architected this section to help you have a 'starting place' for writing long-form, thought leadership content. It could be a book chapter, an ebook, course materials, an article, or a long-form blog post. In general, we're assuming you're using Lisa's structure to craft something 3,500 to 5,500 words (so meaty and assuming sixty-to-seventy percent of the content is story-driven).

Lisa structures her chapters to mirror the way our brains naturally process ideas: through conflict, desire, emotion, and change. Let’s break it down:

1️⃣ Start With a “Misbelief” or Premise (400–600 words)

• Introduce a flawed assumption the reader likely holds.
• Build emotional tension around why this belief holds them back.
• Use story, anecdote, or social observation.

💡 Why it works: The brain perks up at contradiction. You’ve opened a loop.

2️⃣ Introduce a Story of Struggle (500–700 words)

• Share a personal story or example where that misbelief showed up.
• Highlight the internal conflict... not just external action.
• Show what the character (you or someone else) wanted... and why it mattered.

💡 Why it works: This creates empathy. Readers emotionally invest.

3️⃣ Build Cause and Effect (600–900 words)

• Show how one decision led to the next (both good and bad).
• Layer in obstacles, doubts, and choices.
• Highlight moments of clarity or “almost” change.

💡 Why it works: This logic chain makes your argument feel inevitable.

4️⃣ Reveal the Turning Point or Insight (400–600 words)

• Share the emotional or intellectual “aha.”
• It should feel earned... not just handed over.
• Let the reader experience the moment of meaning with you.

💡 Why it works: We trust what we feel like we discovered ourselves.

5️⃣ Introduce the Teaching or Lesson (600–800 words)

• Now give them the framework, model, or truth.
• Tie it directly to the story arc. Make it feel inevitable.
• Option: include visual, acronym, or checklist.

💡 Why it works: Your story has built trust. Now they’re ready for instruction.

6️⃣ Return to the Original Misbelief (400–600 words)

• Reframe it: show why that belief no longer holds.
• Offer evidence that the shift works (other examples, reader stories).
• Reinforce the personal payoff or change that’s possible.

💡 Why it works: This closes the loop and anchors the transformation.

7️⃣ End With a Challenge or Next Step (300–500 words)

• Ask a question or offer a reflection.
• Share a prompt or action that helps the reader apply the lesson.
• Make it feel small, doable, and emotionally rewarding.

💡 Why it works: Change starts with one meaningful decision. Make it easy.

✍️ ChatGPT Prompt: Story-Driven Logic (Lisa Cron Style)

“I’m writing a chapter using Lisa Cron’s Story-Driven Logic Framework. Please help me:

• Open with a misbelief or faulty assumption my reader holds
• Tell a story of emotional tension, want, and internal struggle
• Build a cause-and-effect chain that drives transformation
• Reveal a turning point that leads to insight or clarity
• Teach a framework or concept that solves the original struggle
• Reframe the opening misbelief with a new lens
• End with a question, reflection, or small next step

Here’s what I’ve got: [Insert Your Content]”

Final Takeaway for Modern Authors

If you're thinking about investing in any training, coaching, or lessons to enhance your marketing, I'd 10,000% recommend any program that emphasizes actual storytelling. I'm seeing a degradation of writing in a way that is staggering as people pump out so much more content that is reductive, prescriptive, how-to driven content that just doesn't land.

Lisa Cron reminds us that story isn’t fluff... It’s how we think.

The best books and writing don’t just teach. They lead us to feel.

The Story-Driven Logic Framework is how you:

• Open the reader’s heart with tension
• Anchor your big idea in empathy
• Leave them changed (without selling)

If you want your book or writing to be remembered and recommended, this is your map.

What Next?

Speaking of stories, recently, a story I wrote about my Super Mentor, Steve Blank, went pretty bonkers on LinkedIn. As you may know, if you've been reading this newsletter, I wrote a book called Super Mentors, which offers a very different and modern take on mentorship.

Essentially, modern mentorship doesn’t happen over coffee. It happens in the arena. When I visited Steve Blank (one of the gurus of startups) at his ranch, I thought I’d get advice. Instead, he gave me a project. Over the next six months, we co-created a startup curriculum that’s now been taught in 60+ accelerators around the world. He “put me to work”—and changed my career forever.

I realized why the story about Steve hit: people don't need more advice; they need more opportunities. If you're looking for more from me, specifically on my unusual take on mentorship, feel free to ​subscribe to my Super Mentor newsletter​. It's one of my favorite topics, and you'll see my own story writing on full display!

Have a great weekend, and happiest of writing!

Eric