Simple Techniques for Structuring a Tale Effortlessly

Let's Dive into Storytelling's Heart of Gold

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Does story structure make you groan like a car running on empty? Fear not, my fellow writers! When you finally wrap your head around it, you'll soon realize this incredibly useful tool solves most of your storytelling woes. I, too, was once among the resistance.

Spice up your reading list - uncover your next story treasure

Though some folks might have a knack for crafting novels with a perfectly intuitive structure, it never hurts to hone your skills. Stack the deck in favor of your publishing success by delving into these story structure novels:

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel
Structuring Your Novel
Anatomy of Story

While these books share valuable insights, keep in mind that writing fiction is an art, not a science. Read and learn from multiple sources to enrich your understanding of storytelling structure.

Today, I'm going to take you on a journey, revealing the ins and outs of my personal story structure method. I hope it which helps you better understand this integral aspect of storytelling.

Unnecessary story structure? Really?

Come on, don't be daft! A story without any structure? That's just a bunch of random words without any purpose. But this structure? Is it so indispensable?

Listen up, young grasshopper: Of course not! There are tales aplenty out there that don't follow this specific structure. First, remember that this is a Western story structure, so not every culture employs the same blueprint. Second, stories that stray from the norm might not be everyone's cup of tea, yet masterpieces can still be found amidst the crowd.

When a single narrative unfolds across multiple timelines or jumps around in sequence, structuring things can get a tad messy. Instead of picturing structure as a rigid, leap-by-leap process, envision it more like a semi-transparent overlay that helps you sort out the chaos while maximizing dramatic impact.

Structure: my faithful companion, or a drab instruction manual?

Structure is a versatile tool, and you control how and when to put it to use. Though the book "Save the Cat! Writes a Novel" provides great insights, remember that it's rooted in screenwriting—and everything has its unique quirks.

Instead of blindly following every advice, feel free to trust your gut and forge your own path. Structure can be a guiding light that illuminates what's been missing from your stories.

Story structure has two layers: the outer layer (plot) and the inner layer (character development). Both are essential, and getting the proper balance between them will ensure your story is a masterpiece.

Make your way through your character's (mysterious) past

Before your tale begins, your protagonist comes equipped with a rich history. This past influences the choices your protagonist makes; it casts a long shadow over their life.

First up, your character should have an emotional wound, or a GHOST, often stemming from some traumatic event in their past. Though it seems trivial at first, this scar is what fuels the character's internal conflict and drives their transformation throughout the tale.

Second, your character should harbor an ONGOING PROBLEM that significantly impairs their quality of life, though they might not even realize it. Commonly, this problem is directly linked to the character's struggle to come to terms with their past.

Lastly, your character should have WEAKNESSES and STRENGTHS, as both will shape your plot and character development. Make sure these attributes are essential to the story arc, for they'll have consequences that ripple throughout your narrative.

Now that we've laid a solid foundation, let's move on to the beginning of the story. I've broken down the structure into four sections, but remember: They should be roughly the same length in your finished book. Aim for balance above all else.

If you want to create a well-rounded character who can carry the entire story on their shoulders, be sure to check out The Ultimate Character Workbook.

The Beginning

Before the first plot event occurs, your character resides in their NORMAL WORLD. Use the first few scenes to show your character in their natural habitat while introducing them to your eager readers. This foundation enables them to get a feel for the character's unique qualities and shortcomings.

Early on, you must provide EVIDENCE OF ONGOING PROBLEM to convince readers that something drastic needs to change. This struggle highlights why your character can't simply sit back and do nothing.

The first real plot event is the ARRIVAL OF THE BIG PROBLEM. Your story demands struggle and conflict, so don't skimp on the important stuff! Give your character a problem that changes them (and your readers) forever.

This problem can be positive, too, such as getting a new job in London or falling in love—these events kick-start the plot, prompting your character to step out of their comfort zone. But again, these changes need to be transformative enough that the character struggles to find their footing once more.

As a result of the big problem, your character develops a GOAL or WANT: something they believe will resolve their issue. However, this goal doesn't automatically solve everything—your character is merely scratching the surface. Their real needs lie beneath the surface, waiting to be unearthed. Keep these needs in mind as you plot your story.

Because the big problem brings about drastic change, your character hesitates at first. They ponder the consequences, weighing the benefits and the risks. But eventually, they decide to act, choosing a course of action and diving headlong into the fray.

Your protagonist can't just walk away from the problem, or at least not yet. Their flaws and the unique circumstances they find themselves in keep them tethered to this new struggle.

The New World

Between the beginning and the midpoint, your character is getting a hang of their NEW WORLD. This world includes new characters, challenges, and locations that further complicate their existing problems.

During these middle stages, your character is merely REACTING to the problem. They're trying to learn from each experience, changing and growing throughout their journey. This is a tense period, filled with both triumphs and setbacks.

At the MIDPOINT, your character experiences a DRAMATIC EVENT. This event serves as a turning point, tipping the scales in favor of either growth or despair. Your character will never be the same after this event, and the story will take a dramatic turn.

In some cases, your character gains what they want in the middle of the story, only to realize that it doesn't solve their problems. Alternatively, the dramatic event might be learning new information that changes everything.

The Turning Point

Post-midpoint, your character becomes more proactive, although they might still have no idea how to truly solve their problem. They are now SOLVING THINGS THE WRONG WAY. Though their methods are flawed, they're making progress nonetheless... or so they think.

As your character grows closer to the story's climax, their troubles KEEP GETTING BIGGER, and the narrative's stakes are raised higher and higher. It seems like all is lost for your valiant protagonist, but don't worry—help is on the horizon.

Every decision your character makes has consequences, both good and bad. Keep track of these decisions and consider how they might influence the character's internal and external conflicts. Be sure to make your character's flaws a central component of their story; let them drive your plot forward.

The Grand Finale

Soon, your character reaches the lowest point in their journey, realizing that all previous solutions have failed. It's time for them to CHOOSE THE PATH OF GREAT RESPONSIBILITY. From this moment on, nothing will ever be the same.

As your character transforms, they begin to truly understand their NEEDS and what they must do to achieve them. They are now ready to conquer the big problem from a position of strength.

Because of this transformation, the PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. Your character has journeyed through the depths of darkness and emerged on the other side, forever changed.

Finally, your story concludes with a SNAPSHOT OF LIFE after the events, reminding your readers of the tumultuous journey they just witnessed. Your character's growth might not come easily, but forty-plus pages filled with exciting adventures makes it all worth it!

Your Story Toolbox

Though you could design your story using simple bullet points, there are powerful tools to make the process even easier. My Google Sheets plot planner is a quick, one-page solution for plotting your most important story beats. If a more robust plotting process suits you better, check out the Google Docs outline template for any fiction genre, or the romance novel outline template.

Happy plotting and remember to share your writing journey with us! 📝

our blog is your one-stop-shop for all writing wisdom, featuring expert insights from a published author and creative writing teacher. Explore further writing tips and inspiration on our site. Ready to level up your author game? Discover the best author tools at Writer Lifestyle on Etsy.

[5] https://www.masterclass.com/articles/story-structure-101[2] https://www.savethecat.com/the-heros-journey[4] https://www.shondaland.com/home/entertainment/a35020484/screenwriting-advice-from-mckenna-alexander/

Structure your next thrilling tale with the help of this essential Google Docs workbook, providing a valuable resource for those seeking to spark their writing fire.
Don't shy away from exploring the intricacies of story structure - uncover your next story treasure by delving into these recommended books: "Save the Cat! Writes a Novel", "Structuring Your Novel", and "Anatomy of Story".
Boost your understanding of storytelling structure with tips and insights from renowned sources like "Save the Cat! Writes a Novel", but remember that writing fiction is an art, not a science.
Structure your story ideas with carefully crafted tools such as our Google Sheets plot planner or our Google Docs outline template for any fiction genre.
Enhance your creative writing lifestyle by exploring further writing tips and inspiration on our blog, a one-stop-shop for all writing wisdom, featuring expert insights from a published author and creative writing teacher.