Story Structure Architect

1. Dramatic Throughlines: The Foundation of Story Structure

"The Dramatic Throughline is the main direction of the story. It is not the goal, story, or theme but the basic thrust of the plot."

Five types of throughlines. The author identifies five types of Dramatic Throughlines:

1. The main character succeeds
2. The main character is defeated
3. The main character abandons their goal
4. The main character's goal is undefined
5. The reader creates the goal

These throughlines serve as the backbone of the story, providing a clear direction for the narrative and character development. They help writers maintain focus and consistency throughout their work, ensuring that every scene and character interaction contributes to the overall narrative arc.

2. Conflict Types: Driving Forces Behind Narrative Tension

"Conflict, at its core, is the opposition of forces that serve to advance the plot."

Six types of conflict. The author outlines six types of conflict that can be used to create tension and drive the story forward:

1. Relational Conflict
2. Situational Conflict
3. Inner Conflict
4. Paranormal Conflict
5. Cosmic Conflict
6. Social Conflict

Conflict is essential in storytelling as it creates obstacles for characters to overcome, generates reader interest, and provides opportunities for character growth. By understanding and utilizing different types of conflict, writers can create multi-layered narratives that engage readers on multiple levels.

3. Genres: Framing Stories within Established Categories

"Genre is subjective and open for revision and reclassification at any time."

Twenty-one genres. The author presents 21 genres, including action, adventure, comedy, drama, fantasy, horror, mystery, and romance, among others. Each genre has its own set of conventions, expectations, and tropes that writers can use or subvert.

Understanding genres helps writers:

• Target specific audiences
• Meet reader expectations
• Create marketing hooks
• Blend genres for innovative storytelling

While genres provide a framework, the author encourages writers to think creatively and combine elements from different genres to create unique and compelling stories.

4. Master Structures: Blueprints for Narrative Architecture

"How true it is that our destinies are decided by nothing and that a small imprudence helped by some insignificant accident, as an acorn is fertilized by a drop of rain, may raise the trees on which perhaps we and others shall be crucified."

Eleven master structures. The author presents 11 master structures that writers can use as templates for their stories:

1. The Roller Coaster Ride
2. The Replay
3. Fate
4. The Parallel
5. The Episodic
6. The Melodrama
7. Romance
8. The Journey
9. Interactive
10. Metafiction
11. The Slice of Life

Each structure offers a unique approach to storytelling, from traditional linear narratives to more experimental forms. By understanding these structures, writers can choose the most appropriate framework for their story and experiment with different narrative techniques to create engaging and innovative works.

5. Dramatic Situations: Building Blocks of Compelling Plots

"Supplication means to appeal, request, beg, call, plea, ask, invite, invoke, pray, petition, worship, or honor something or someone for help or assistance."

Fifty-five dramatic situations. The author expands on Georges Polti's original 36 dramatic situations, presenting 55 scenarios that can be used to create conflict and drive the plot forward. These situations include:

• Supplication and Benefaction
• Deliverance and Sojourn
• Vengeance for a Crime and Rehabilitation
• Abduction and Reunion
• Enigma and Invention

By understanding and utilizing these dramatic situations, writers can create varied and engaging plot points, subplots, and character interactions. The author encourages writers to mix and match these situations to create unique and compelling narratives.

6. Character Development: Crafting Believable and Engaging Personas

"The Victim or Lost Object is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Perhaps knowing the Imprudent is the Victim's only mistake in all of this, but there is nothing that can be done."

Character archetypes and roles. The author presents various character types and roles throughout the book, including:

• The Hero/Protagonist
• The Villain/Antagonist
• The Victim
• The Rescuer
• The Lover
• The Traitor

Understanding these archetypes helps writers create well-rounded characters with clear motivations and conflicts. The author emphasizes the importance of developing characters that are:

• Relatable and believable
• Flawed and complex
• Capable of growth and change

By crafting multidimensional characters, writers can create stories that resonate with readers on an emotional level.

7. Balancing Structure and Creativity: The Writer's Dilemma

"When you over-plot your story, you may lose spontaneity and feel like a slave to your overly detailed outline. When you build your story as you go, you tend to end up with a ton of subplots and loose ends that can't be tied up and a character arc that flatlines."

Finding the middle path. The author advocates for a balanced approach to writing, combining structure and creativity:

• Use structure as a guide, not a rigid framework
• Allow for spontaneity and organic story development
• Be open to new ideas and directions as you write
• Revise and restructure as needed during the writing process

This balanced approach allows writers to benefit from the organization and focus provided by structure while maintaining the flexibility to explore new ideas and directions as they arise during the writing process.

8. Adapting Traditional Elements: Innovating within Established Frameworks

"Let's keep our minds open to new ideas and new ways of writing—otherwise we will accomplish nothing but a rehash of what has already been done."

Innovating within tradition. The author encourages writers to:

• Understand traditional storytelling elements and structures
• Experiment with combining and subverting traditional elements
• Seek inspiration from diverse sources and cultures
• Adapt storytelling techniques to suit modern audiences and mediums

By understanding and respecting traditional storytelling elements while being open to innovation, writers can create stories that are both familiar and fresh, appealing to a wide range of readers.

Last updated: November 18, 2024