Here is a quick guide to basic novel writing. Simiar to any 3 act play or story, you have a begning, middle and end. Think of it in acts. This structure can be used to build a scne within a chapter, to build a chater and even to build the rentire your complete novel. All have begining,middle and end.

The Problem –

Opening Hook –

Plot point 1

establish Goal/Motivation/Conflict –

The Struggle –

Plot point 2

new info for protagonist move to pro-activity –

Plot point 3

quiet before the storm –

The Resolution –

Climax

worst thing that could happen/soul crush –

Resolution

resolves black moment/hook to next chapter –

Continuance –

hook to next chapter/act/scene etc.

In a bit more detail

Act 1/begining

1. The hook – quickly grab readers’ attention and pull reader into story
   1. Establish at least one story question
   1. Begin with action or dialogue
   1. Begin with protagonist
   1. Choose a starting point as late as possible, important time of change as possible
2. Backstory – section that includes characters’ history and what we need to understand what is going on
   1. History that brought the character to this point
   1. Action that is self-explanatory to understand protagonist
3. Trigger – what comes next
   1. One specific thing that happens to the protagonist
   1. Attacks the protagonists flaw
   1. Something that happens to the protagonist

Act 2 – plot struggle of the protagonist – failing over and over./middle

• Crisis – moment when protagonist is overcome by flaw
  • Internal moment
  • Protagonist doesn’t realize what his flaw is
  • Emotions carry through crisis
• Struggle – scene & sequel
  • Set stakes and up stakes
  • Give protagonist series of plot complications as things get worse
  • Black moment when protagonist gives up hope
• Epiphany like the trigger in act 1 – opposite of crisis –
  • Brief internal moment (inside protagonist head)
  • Protagonist realizes his flaw (epiphany)
  • Decides to change
  • In tragedy protagonist fails to change

Act 3 -solving the problem/end

• Plan – begins when epiphany ends
  • All plot (action)
  • Protagonist couldn’t have done before changing epiphany
  • Plan might not work
  • May be successive plans that don’t Work
  • Plan leads to climax
• Confrontation/climax – when antagonist is defeated
  • Protagonist is active character
  • Antagonist is defeated by his own flaw
  • Keep protagonist sympathetic
  • Severity of antagonist defeat consisted with weight of story (how serious the circumstances are)
  • Antagonist may be rehabilitated
  • In a tragedy protagonist is defeated by flaw
• Ending/denouement – tie up loose ends – inevitable but not predictable
  • Resolution
  • Circular
  • Reversal
  • Bitter sweet
  • Open
  • Cliff hanger
  • Twist
  • Revelation
  • Monologue

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