Recently I posted my thoughts on why story is important, especially in short fiction.  Earlier today I came across this column from Kristine Kathryn Rusch, in which she discusses the importance of story and why it needs to be first in fiction.  Kris, in addition to being the former editor of F&SF, wrote a column for Jim Baen’s Universe until that venue closed.  The powers-that-be at Baen moved the column over to The Grantville Gazette, the online magazine for the 1632 universe.  Her columns don’t necessarily related directly to 1632, but they’re worth checking out.  Anyway, Kris has the credentials to know whereof she speaks and does so eloquently.