How Do I Structure My Story or Novel? New Writer Questions #6
The actual “Meat and potatoes” of your writing.
There are many different ways to structure a story or a novel, but some common approaches include the three-act structure, the hero’s journey, and the five-act structure. It’s important to choose a structure that works best for your particular story, remembering the basic elements of plot, character, and setting.
How should I structure my story or novel?
There are many different approaches to structuring a story or novel, but one of the most common frameworks is the three-act structure. Here’s a basic overview of how this structure works.
Act I: The Setup
Introduce your main character and their world.
Establish the main conflict or problem that the character will face.
Set the story in motion by having the character take action to try to solve the problem on his own,
Act II: The Confrontation
Introduce some obstacles or complications that make it harder for the character to achieve their goal.
Raise the stakes by increasing the consequences of failure.
Show the character struggling and learning as they try to overcome these challenges.
Act III: Resolution
Bring the story to a climax where the character faces their biggest challenge yet.
Resolve the conflict in some satisfying way, either by having the character succeed or fail in a way that feels meaningful and resonant.
Wrap up any loose ends and provide a sense of closure.
Of course, this is but one possible approach to structuring a story or novel. There are many variations and alternatives out there. Ultimately, the most important thing is to find a structure that works for you and your story, and that helps you tell the story you want to tell in the most effective way possible.
There Are Others…
There are many other structures and frameworks that can be used to structure a story or novel. Here are five more examples.
The Hero’s Journey: This is a popular structure that follows the journey of a hero as they leave their ordinary world, faces challenges and obstacles, and ultimately returns changed and transformed. This structure is often used in epic fantasy, adventure, and superhero stories.
The Seven-Point Story Structure: This structure breaks the story down into seven key elements- Hook, Plot Turn 1, Pinch 1, Midpoint, Pinch 2, Plot Turn 2, and Resolution. Each of these elements serves a specific purpose in moving the story forward and keeping readers engaged.
The Three-Act Structure with Plot Points: This structure builds on the basic three-act structure by adding specific plot points at times that are key moments in the story. These plot points include the inciting incident, the first plot point, the midpoint, the second plot point, and the climax.
The Inverted Pyramid: This structure starts with the climax/resolution and then works backward to reveal the events and actions that led up to that point. This can be an effective way to build suspense and keep readers engaged.
The Non-Linear Structure: This structure jumps around in time and/or space, often using flashbacks and flash-forwards to reveal different parts of the story. This can be a challenging structure to pull off, but when done well, it can create a powerful and memorable reading experience. When done less than well, it can confuse the reader. It requires you to keep a good continuity outline for the characters and actions.
These are just examples of the many structures and frameworks that can be used to structure a story or novel. The key is to find the structure that works best for your story and helps you tell it in the most effective way possible.
Can there possibly be any OTHER ways?
Well, yes, there are MANY other ways to structure a story or novel beyond the ones I’ve already mentioned. Here are five more examples.
Episodic Structure: This structure is often used in television shows and series of books, where each episode or chapter has its own self-contained story arc, but also contributes to an overarching plot or theme.
Circular Structure: This structure starts and ends in the same place, creating a sense of cyclical or repeating motion. This method can be used to explore themes of fate, destiny, or the cyclical nature of life and the human experience.
Parallel Structure: This structure tells two or more interwoven stories that mirror each other in some way. It can be used to explore themes of duality, contrast, or the interconnectedness of different people or worlds.
Stream of Consciousness Structure: This structure reflects the unstructured, meandering nature of human thought, often incorporating internal monologues, memories, and associations. This can be used to explore themes of consciousness, subjectivity, and the fragmented nature of human experience. See also Monkey Mind.
Non-Traditional Structure: There are many other ways to structure a story or novel that don’t fit neatly into ANY established framework. For example, a story could be structured as a series of letters, emails, phone calls, or text messages, or it could be presented as a choose-your-own-adventure style book where the reader makes decisions that determine the course of the story.
Ultimately, the best structure for a story or novel depends on the needs of the individual story and your vision as the author for how it should be told. Only practice will help you determine that.
Thanks for reading!
Don’s a keen observer and prolific reporter of truth, common sense, humor, & life. He’s a WRITER|HUMORIST, sometimes serious, sometimes tongue-in-cheek. He lives in Nashville, Tn.