"STRUCTURING A NOVEL
Structure refers to the invisible form of a story that includes a beginning, middle and ending, which certain elements under each of those three parts. Structure can be set up as a paradigm (example or pattern) to assure a strong line of dramatic action. Visually set up a 3-part form that answers these three questions:
1. What must be in the beginning?
2. What must be in the middle?
3. What must be in the ending?
A complete story structure has three supports that can be summarized as Objective, Obstacles and Outcome.
STRUCTURING THE BEGINNING OF YOUR NOVEL: OBJECTIVE
Set Up: Elements needed to start a novel include:
1. A changed situation that ...
2. Sets up a tangible story problem plus an internal personal problem with ...
3. High stakes for an ...
4. Appealing, motivated main character whose ...
5. Tangible objective is to solve the problem and reach his goal.
Story Problem: The situation should cause the tangible problem and pose the story question, "Will the character achieve the tangible objective and solve the problem?" The answer comes at the end and preferably in a way the reader doesn't expect.
As quickly as possible:
- Establish motives
Introduce an adversary / opponent
Show conflict in senses of short dialouge.
Set the protagonist's tangible objective with ...
Dangers and high stakes.
Reveal the protagonist's mental / emotional problem (person vs. self).
Add tension by starting a RAT (race against time) for an ...
ACE: Anticipated catastrophic event at the end
Insert a plot point no later than the end of the first chapter.
Plan other plot points or surprise developments that suddenly spin the story off in an unexpected direction.
Have the beginning end with the main character's decision to go for the objective.
STURUCTURING THE MIDDLE OF YOUR NOVEL: OBSTACLES
The longest part of a story is the middle, which begins with the main character taking the first action to achieve the tangible goal.
1. This section has rising suspense as the focal chaacter attempts to solve the problem and reach the objective.
2. Conflicts: This requires conflicts with others, with self and the environment, plus confrontations, complications and setbacks.
3. Keep pressure on the main character by thwarting him at almost every turn.
4. Include danger, dramatic scenes (emphasizing the either/or situation), the pending time deadline and looming disaster. Try to work in plot points which surprise the reader and spin the story off in another direction.
5. Although an instigator, not a victim, the protagonist is vulnerable, so give him/her a moment of gloom and self-doubt. However, he/she always tried again because action flows from the focal character's personality.
6. The end of the middle comes with a major plot point leading to a crisis.
STRUCTURING THE ENDING OF YOUR NOVEL: OUTCOME
The last part of a story is fairly short and contains three parts:
1. Crisis, in which the main character's struggles have failed so that it seems impossible to achieve the objective.
2. Climax is the high point of the story where the character is forced to decide between two choices and to act on that choice in a final desperate effort, and
3. Conclusion, showing how the main character snatches victory from defeat, achieves the objective, plus:
- Punishments are meted out.
Loose ends are tied up.
The theme is proven.
The story question is answered.
There is a character change.
The story ends on a positive note.
Readers are satisfied."
Although the 'positive note' ending is up to objection, this excerpt, and the rest of the book, is probably the most helpful this I've ever read, not only because it helped me plan out my novel, but helped give it a coherent plot instead of just a bunch of random scenes jumbled together. Hope it helps y'all, as well.
Cheers,
satan
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