Because good stories—like good food—start with pizza.
Pizza is a staple of any “good food” diet, and for good reason: it’s dependable, delicious, and delightfully versatile. Whether you’re drowning in indecision or just craving comfort, pizza has your back. It's cheesy. It's saucy. It's got layers. Just like a good novel.
That’s why the Pizza Method is hands-down the best method for writing a fiction book. Forget snowflakes, hero’s journeys, or three-act structures for a minute—let’s build a story the way we build a pizza: with flavor, structure, and toppings that make your reader say, “Mmm, I want more of that!”
1. The Crust: Your Story Foundation
You wouldn’t start making a pizza by tossing cheese on a plate and hoping for the best (unless you're five years old or very, very hungry). First, you need the crust—the base that holds everything together.
In storytelling, your crust is the foundation of your book. It’s your genre, tone, purpose, and overarching structure. Is your book going to be a dark and moody thriller or a frothy romantic comedy? A serious sci-fi epic or a whimsical fantasy full of talking teacups?
Ask yourself:
- What’s the purpose of my story?
- What kind of emotional experience do I want my reader to have?
- Am I baking a thin-crust novella or a deep-dish trilogy?
Don’t skimp on this step. A soggy crust leads to a floppy mess that falls apart in your hands. A strong, intentional foundation gives your story integrity—and ensures your readers can enjoy it without sauce dripping all over their shirts.
2. The Sauce: Your Characters & Core Conflict
Next comes the sauce: tangy, flavorful, and sneakily powerful. It ties everything together, seeps into every bite, and sets the tone.
In writing, your sauce is your characters—and the main conflict that drives their journey. Characters are the soul of your story. They’re the ones getting dragged through the mud, falling in love, uncovering secrets, and making terrible decisions that lead to plot twists you didn’t see coming.
Your sauce should:
- Be rich and layered (bland characters = bland story)
- Complement your crust (genre and tone)
- Leave a lingering impression
Build backstories, motivations, desires, and fears. Most of this won’t show up on the page, but it will inform how your characters react when the cheese hits the fan. Are they a spicy arrabbiata type or more of a sweet marinara? Do they burn everything down or run away when things get tough?
Remember: the reader might come for the premise, but they stay for the characters—just like how no one orders pizza for the box.
3. The Meat (or Veggies): Your Main Plot
This is the star of the show: the meaty (or plant-based) heart of your pizza. Pepperoni? Sausage? Artichokes? Tempeh bacon? The choice is yours—but it better be tasty.
In your book, this is the main plot. The central journey. The arc that carries your story from “once upon a time” to “and they lived happily (or miserably, or triumphantly) ever after.”
Your plot should:
- Have a clear beginning, middle, and end
- Be driven by conflict and change
- Center on your characters making choices that matter
You don’t need to know every detail yet—that’s what the toppings are for—but you do need to know what your story is about. Are you solving a murder? Reclaiming a throne? Falling in love with your sworn enemy in a haunted ice cream shop?
Pick your flavor and run with it.
4. The Toppings: Subplots, Twists & Flavor
Now it’s time to have fun. The toppings are where creativity reigns. Olives? Yes. Pineapple? Don’t start a fight—just go with your gut. Extra cheese? Always. (Also, your subplot about a cheese heist might be the twist no one saw coming.)
Toppings in your story are the side plots, quirks, emotional beats, and delightful details that elevate your book from functional to unforgettable. These are the unexpected moments that make your readers snort-laugh, cry at 2 a.m., or yell “WHAT JUST HAPPENED?” in public.
Toppings can include:
- A grumpy mentor with a secret
- A sidekick who’s bad at sidekicking
- A surprise betrayal, inheritance, ghost, or magical alpaca
- A romance subplot that adds spice
Don’t overwhelm the pizza. No one wants a story where every bite tastes like anchovies and regret. But do add just enough surprise and texture to make your plot feel full and satisfying.
5. Time to Bake: Write the Thing
You’ve got your crust, your sauce, your plot-meat, and your delicious toppings. Now it’s time to bake the whole thing—in other words, write the actual book.
This is where the magic (and the sweat, and the snacks, and the yelling into pillows) happens. Writing the book is where all your preparation comes together into something real, something warm, something slightly gooey around the edges but undeniably yours.
Let it cook. Trust the process. Expect some mess.
Yes, your story might burn in spots. Yes, you might underbake the middle. That’s what revisions are for! You can always reheat, trim the crust, or scrape off that weird idea that seemed good at 2 a.m.
But first—you have to bake it. You have to write.
Final Slice of Wisdom
Writing a book is a lot like making a pizza: start with a strong base, add layers of flavor, experiment with toppings, and don’t forget to enjoy the process. You might not get it perfect on the first try, but with love, care, and a little heat, you’ll end up with something that feeds the soul.
Now go. Be bold. Make your pizza. Write your story. And if you get stuck? Take a break and eat some real pizza. It’s research. 🍕