I recall an instance when I was doing improv classes where we were doing freeform scenes with a partner with a given input. When the scene began, I tried to eng

I recall an instance when I was doing improv classes where we were doing freeform scenes with a partner with a given input. When the scene began, I tried to engage with my scene partner, but she kept saying 'leave me' in response to anything I said. After giving it three chances, I exited stage left, end scene. Our instructor then explained the scene with, "anytime something is talked about three times in a scene or play, it pretty much is immediately invoked into being." Nothing was better for me in helping me understand the art of storytelling than the 6 months or so I spent there. You hear about the 'rules of stories' and whatnot, but it's not until I was up on stage, grappling with it, that that whole world started opening up. I don't know anything better other than actually studying it in school. Ignoring the rules just makes for harder-to-watch scenes, you just can't make sense of the why.