Mulan (1998): The Movie Structure Archives Genre: Disney/Adventure/Coming of Age Writer(s): Rita Hsiao, Chris Sanders, Philip LaZebnik, Raymond Singer, and Eugenia Bostwick-Singer Director(s): Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook (more…) Browse by Category Character DevelopmentEditingGuest PostsInspirationNaNoWriMoOutliningPublishingStory StructureWorldbuilding Browse by Date 2025 2024 2023 2023-09-21 5 Ways to Tell a Story: Story Structure from Around the World 2023-03-28 Character Creation Questionnaire: 50 Questions You Should Be Asking 2023-02-14 5 Healthy Conflicts for Your Fictional Romance 2023-01-10 7 Ways To Set (Insanely Successful) Writing Goals 2022 2022-12-13 3 Ways Your Novel Could Change the World 2022-11-22 5 Tips for When You’ve Fallen Behind During NaNoWriMo 2022-11-08 5 Writing Sprints for Winning NaNoWriMo 2022-09-06 How to Write an Awesome Ensemble Cast 2022-07-19 3 Ways to Find a Thriving Writing Community 2022-07-05 How to Write an Anti-Hero Readers Will Adore 2022-06-21 How to Write Non-Romantic Relationships 2022-06-07 8 Ways to Create (And Stick To) A Writing Schedule 2022-05-31 The Four Act Structure: What It Is + How It Works 2022-04-26 5 Storytelling Skills Every Writer Should Master 2022-03-22 Hero vs. Heroine: Why They’re Not the Same 2022-03-08 Dynamic vs. Round Characters: Who Needs a Character Arc? 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