You are in.
Which means you understood the real value. You acted.
This is Part 1: The Structures.
This page contains the fundamental architecture you need to begin.
This is not for the masses, so be diligent, my dear.
You are in.
Which means you understood the real value. You acted.
This is Part 1: The Structures.
This page contains the fundamental architecture you need to begin.
This is not for the masses, so be diligent, my dear.
Before we get to the tactics, we must know the foundation.
This is the list of every major novel and story structure that can be applied to any written work.
This is the very essence of storytelling, the ultimate guide to linearity.
It's clean, universal, and the most reliable tool in your arsenal, regardless of genre.
It’s the law of storytelling, not a suggestion.
Concept: This blueprint breaks a narrative into three core phases: the beginning, where the world and conflict are established; the middle, where the protagonist faces escalating challenges; and the end, where the conflict is resolved.
Act I: The Setup (25%)
The Normal World: Introduce your protagonist and their daily life. This baseline is critical; it gives the audience something to lose.
The Inciting Incident: A singular, disruptive event that shatters the normal world. It’s the moment the protagonist is irrevocably pulled into the central conflict.
The First Plot Point: The protagonist makes a definitive choice, a point of no return that launches them fully into the world of the story.
Act II: The Confrontation (50%)
Rising Action: The protagonist faces a series of increasing obstacles. With each victory or defeat, the stakes and the tension rise.
The Midpoint: A major turning point. The hero shifts from reacting to the plot to actively driving it. They've learned something and are ready to take control.
The Second Plot Point: A climactic event that forces a major decision and sets the stage for the final act.
Act III: The Resolution (25%)
The Climax: The final, most intense confrontation. All the conflicts converge here, and the protagonist must use everything they've learned to succeed.
The Aftermath: The story winds down. You show the result of the climax and the new reality. All loose ends are tied up, providing a sense of finality.
Based on the archetypal "monomyth," this is the roadmap for a character's transformation.
This structure is for stories where the journey itself is the most important part.
Concept: A twelve-step cycle where a protagonist leaves their known world, faces trials, achieves a victory, and returns changed forever.
The Call to Adventure: An event that disrupts the hero's ordinary world.
Refusal: The hero's initial hesitation and fear.
Meeting the Mentor: A guide offers knowledge or a tool.
Crossing the Threshold: The hero commits to the journey and enters the unknown.
Tests, Allies, & Enemies: The hero faces challenges and finds their support system.
The Ordeal: The hero’s darkest hour, a confrontation with their greatest fear.
The Resurrection: A final, pivotal test where the hero proves their transformation.
Return with the Elixir: The hero returns to their old world, bringing a valuable change or solution.
These are more tactical and precise, often breaking down the classical structures into actionable steps.
They're the go-to for modern, tightly plotted stories.
A step-by-step framework that breaks down a narrative into 15 specific "beats."
It’s a tactical blueprint for controlling a story's pace.
Concept: A highly structured approach that guarantees your plot points hit at the right moment for maximum impact.
The Catalyst: The inciting incident at 10%.
Break into Two: The hero’s commitment to the journey, at 20%.
Midpoint: A moment of false victory or defeat at 50%.
All is Lost: The hero's rock bottom, at 75%.
Break into Three: The hero finds a solution and a renewed purpose at 80%.
Final Image: The mirror image of the opening scene, showing the hero’s transformation.
This is for writers who already know the ending.
It ensures a strong character arc and a tight, symmetrical narrative that feels incredibly satisfying.
Concept: The story is defined by seven key points, where the first three mirror the last three, all pivoting around a central midpoint.
Point 1: The Hook: The protagonist's starting position.
Point 2: Plot Turn 1: The event that forces them to act.
Point 3: Pinch Point 1: The antagonistic force makes its presence known.
Point 4: The Midpoint: The shift from being reactive to proactive.
Point 5: Pinch Point 2: The antagonist applies more pressure.
Point 6: Plot Turn 2: The protagonist gets the final tool or knowledge they need.
Point 7: The Resolution: The protagonist’s final position, which is the direct opposite of the Hook.
These structures are for the strategists who want to break from tradition.
They're less common but can create powerful and unique narratives.
This structure rejects a linear timeline, instead jumping between past, present, and future.
It's for creating mystery and revealing character through their history.
Concept: The story is told out of chronological order. The arrangement is determined by emotional impact and plot revelation, not the passage of time.
Establish Your Anchor: A fixed point in the present that keeps the reader grounded.
Use Flashbacks as Weapons: Each jump back in time must reveal something that re-contextualizes the present.
Build the Puzzle: With each jump, you give the reader a new piece of information, building a sense of suspense as they assemble the full story.
This powerful East Asian structure proves that a story doesn't need conflict to be compelling.
It creates a sense of wonder and revelation.
Concept: A four-part structure focused on a progression of an idea, not a problem. The narrative builds to a sudden turn or twist.
Introduction (Ki): Establish the setting and characters.
Development (Shō): Elaborate on the world and characters.
The Twist (Ten): A sudden, non-conflict event that changes everything.
Conclusion (Ketsu): The resolution of the twist, showing how the new information affects the world.
This structure discards the traditional setup entirely.
It's for a fast-paced narrative that starts with a crisis and never lets up.
Concept: Begin in the middle of a crisis, weave in exposition as you go, and build tension until an explosive climax. It’s for the thrill-seekers.
Start with a Crisis: Your very first scene is a high-stakes moment.
Interweave Exposition: Drop hints about the past as your characters react to the present crisis.
Escalating Action: The entire story is a series of escalating challenges. There are no "breather" scenes.
This isn't a full structure, but a powerful tactical opening.
You drop the reader directly into the action with no setup.
Concept: The story starts "in the middle of things," making the reader play catch-up.
Launch Directly into Action: Your first sentence is a critical moment.
Use Flashbacks: Fill in the backstory as the plot progresses, revealing the "why" later.
Maintain the Tension: The primary purpose is to maintain a sense of urgency. The reader is constantly wondering what led to this moment.