Crash & Burn unlocks hidden story sparks
Spend ten minutes in a stream-of-consciousness sprint and surface forgotten moments you can add to your StoryCoach Memory Bank. The Crash & Burn exercise is included with every plan so you can revive memories on demand.
Run the Crash & Burn in three purposeful steps
You do not need inspiration—just a timer. StoryCoach walks you through the sequence and stores what you uncover so the best sparks become stories later.
Set a 10-minute timer
Pick up a pen or open the Crash & Burn canvas inside StoryCoach. The countdown keeps you focused on output, not perfection.
Write without stopping
Jot whatever surfaces—words, fragments, flashes of memory. If you stall, repeat the last word until momentum returns. No editing allowed.
Save the sparks
Highlight the moments that hit emotion or surprise and send them to your Memory Bank. Tag them so future you can turn them into polished stories.
Follow the Crash & Burn rules
The power comes from momentum. Commit to these guardrails borrowed from storyteller Matthew Dicks and you will unlock memories you forgot ever happened.
Do not latch onto one idea
Keep moving. Let unexpected associations surface and surprise you.
Do not judge what lands
Evaluation comes later. Right now everything is welcome on the page.
Do not stop writing
If your mind blanks, write the same word. Momentum triggers memory.
What you gain from each session
- Subconscious memories that had faded into the background
- Unexpected connections between people, places, and themes
- Creative momentum when you feel stuck or uninspired
- Fresh material to explore in Homework for Life or full drafts
StoryCoach keeps Crash & Burn on repeat
- Monthly reminders timed to your timezone
- Automatic save to your Memory Bank with tagging and search
- Instant handoff to craft a story or request AI feedback
When paired with Homework for Life, Crash & Burn becomes a creative warm-up that keeps your storytelling muscles primed and your Memory Bank stocked.
Start your storytelling planMake it part of your practice
Members who alternate Crash & Burn with Homework for Life report more vivid stories, quicker drafting sessions, and a stronger sense of progress across their storytelling practice.
Ready to revive the stories you forgot?
Join StoryCoach to unlock Crash & Burn, Homework for Life, and the complete studio for capturing, crafting, and sharing extraordinary stories drawn from everyday life.