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For the sake of this guide, it is assumed that 5000 (5k) words is equal to 15 pages in standard publishing format. For simplicity of numbers, this is based off a 60k-word draft (180 pages). (If anyone’s having trouble with the math, let me know and I can help you figure out your own goals!)
It is recommended that writers following this guide have an A-plot (the main conflict-resolution path) and a B-plot (a side path that may not reach its climax or be resolved). This is not necessary to write a novel; it’s simply how this guide works best. I’ve synchronized this with a 5-Beat structure as well.
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Introduction: Beat 1: The Hook. Establish the world; establish your character; establish the voice. You can tease with a bit of either the A-plot or the B-plot here. Introduce your characters’ goals: What do they want? 5k words / 15 pages.
B-plot introduction: Introduce the secondary plot that will not make up the majority of the book’s conflict. Take this time as well to develop more of your characters, introduce their backstory, and establish your main and supporting characters’ flaws that will play into both this conflict and the main conflict. Introduce your characters’ methods: What would they do to get what they want? 10k words / 30 pages.
A-plot introduction: Beat 2: The First Plot Point. Introduce the main plot that will make up the majority of the book’s conflict. This usually comes in the form of a “disaster” or a change that the main character(s) are forced to face. Introduce your characters’ stakes: What do they have to lose? 5k words / 15 pages.
Body: Tension Rising: Develop both the A- and B-plots here. Take your time; this isn’t the full-on climax yet. Keep incorporating those character flaws and features that play into the conflicts. 10k words / 30 pages.
Body: Midpoint: Beat 3: The Midpoint. Something changes the game. Whether this is the antagonist or villain winning a battle, a character being exposed as a traitor, or whatever other plots you may have—this is a change that affects the A-plot, if not the B-plot, and turns the story on its head. This is an excellent place to raise the stakes and put pressure on your characters. 5k words / 15 pages.
Body: Tension Rising: Again, develop both the A- and B-plots here. This time, the action is escalating towards a climax. Things can fall apart here, or heroes can be rallied together. This is the time for plans to be made and fail. This is where the raised stakes should be made clear, and the characters’ goals and methods become even more important. What do they do when desperate? 10k words / 30 pages.
Climax: Beat 4: The Climax. Your A-plot comes to ground here, and your characters’ actions (or inaction) determine how the story ends. This is the Big Bad Battle; this is the final heist; this is the culmination of everything standing between your heroes and their goals, or their happily-ever-afters. No matter how it ends, it ends now. 10k words / 30 pages.
Denouement: Beat 5: The Resolution. This is the happily-ever-after (or happily-never-after) your characters earned from the climax. This is where you show how your characters have changed as a result of the story, and you might tease at the ongoing plot. You can either resolve the B-plot here or leave it hanging for later, or for fanfic authors. This can be longer or shorter as you please, whether you want to leave it all open for the next book in the series or want to take your time wrapping things up and nursing your characters’ wounds. 5k words / 15 pages.
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Hopefully once you’re done with your denouement, you’ve got a full draft in front of you and are ready to move onto the next thing that catches your eye! (Who am I kidding, all of us have already got three WIPs going at once.)
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