I Broke the First Rule of Storytelling And It Worked.

Hey Reader!

Last week, I learned something new, and I was blown away.

Most people tell stories from the beginning.

But here’s the truth:

That’s the slowest way to hook someone.

🎬 Start With the Ending

I got to know about this method called Reverse Chronology.

It flips the usual flow.

You show the result first.

Then walk people backwards through how it happened.

📦 Here’s the Simple Formula

1. Start with the climax (the big result)

2. Ask the big question (How did this happen?)

3. Show 2-3 key steps backwards

4. Reveal the start (the humble beginning)

🧠 Why This Works Better

• People don’t like waiting.

• Starting with the result builds curiosity.

• You surprise them, not bore them.

🏪 Brands Do It Too

Ever seen Thai Life Insurance’s “Unsung Hero” ad?

• First: You see the results of a man’s kind actions.

• Then: They show him doing the good deeds.

It worked because:

✅ It makes you feel something immediately

✅ It pulls you in — you want to know why

✅ It breaks the usual pattern

✅ It shows the impact first

🧰 How You Can Try It

For Reels (60 secs):

• First 10s → Big result

• Next 15s → Raise the question

• Next 25s → 2-3 key steps

• Final 10s → Show how it started

For LinkedIn:

• Line 1: Big win

• Para 2: Contrast it with your struggle

• Para 3: 2–3 moments backward

• End: What started it all

For YouTube:

• First 30s → Big scene

• Next → Raise the mystery

• Middle → Journey in reverse

• End → The origin story

🧪 Your Challenge

❌ Don’t Make These Mistakes

• Don’t start too small. Make the first line strong.

• Don’t reveal everything at once. Keep curiosity alive.

• Don’t add too many steps. 3-4 is enough.

• Don’t forget emotion. Every step should make people feel something.

🔁 Final Thoughts

Old storytelling is like a slow train.

Reverse storytelling is like a shortcut with all the best views.

So next time you write or post, ask:

Try it and see what happens. I dare you.

Keep telling better stories,

Epaphra

P.S. I was scared to break the “storytelling rules.” But once I did… it worked better than I imagined.