Story Structure Three Models For Your Book

Story Structure Three Models For Your Book Story Structure: Three Models for Your Book Nothing makes the challenging task of writing a novel feel more attainable than adopting a story structure to help you plot out your narrative.While using a pre-existing blueprint might make authors worry they’ll end up with a formulaic, predictable story, you’ll find that most of your favorite books can be grouped into various narrative structures that writers have been using for decades.In this post, we’ll cover three story structures you can use to bring your own novel idea to fruition. Three narrative structures you can use to bring your own novel idea to fruition. What is narrative structure?Narrative structure is composed of two things: story and plot. Whereas the  plot  is a chain of events that dictate a book,  the  story  refers to the underlying factors that drive the dramatic action. Story, then, would encapsulate the protagonists,  key conflicts, and setting of the book. Meanwhile, plot would indicate the connected plot points that make up the narrative at hand.The importance of narrative structure is in its name. If a story didn't have structure, then it would be a formless blot without a clear beginning, middle, and end. It's story structure that lends definition and comprehensibility to a narrative - which is paramount to holding a reader's attention throughout a story. We covered three popular narrative structures in our series on story structure. To explore those particular story structures further, simply head below:the Three-Act Story Structurethe Hero’s Journey (otherwise known as Joseph Campbell's Monomyth)Dan Harmon’s Story Circle A slightly less detailed adaptation of The Hero’s Journey, the Seven-Point Story Structure focuses specifically on the highs and lows of a narrative arc. The Seven-Point Story Structure is made up of:The HookPlot Point 1Pinch Point 1MidpointPinch Point 2Plot Point 2ResolutionAccording to the  Seven-Point Story Structure-creator, author Dan Wells, writers are encouraged to start at the end, with the resolution. You should have an idea of what the final state for your protagonist/plot will look like. Once you’ve got that determined, go back to the starting point - the hook - and have your protagonist/plot begin in a state that contrasts the final one. From there, fill in the rest of the five plot points to flesh out how the protagonist/plot gets from that first state to the final one.Let’s elaborate on this narrative structure using Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone as example.The HookThe start of the seven-point narrative structure is meant to dr aw readers in by explaining the protagonist’s current situation. Their state of being at the beginning of the novel should be in direct contrast to what it will be at the end of the novel.Example: The novel starts out with Harry living a neglected life in the cupboard under the stairs of his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon’s home.Plot Point 1Whether it’s a person, an idea, an inciting incident, or something else - there should be a "Call to Adventure" that sets the narrative and character development in motion.Example: Hagrid arrives to tell Harry that he’s a wizard. With Hagrid, Harry escapes the Dursley’s and head off to Diagon Alley to prepare for his new life as a wizard-in-training.Pinch Point 1Things can’t be all sunshine and roses for your protagonist. Something should go wrong here that applies pressure on the main character, forcing them to step up and solve the problem.Example: A troll is found in Hogwarts on Halloween. Harry and Ro n go to find Hermione who is unaware of the troll. They end up luring it into and locking the troll in the girl’s bathroom - without realizing that’s exactly where Hermione is. Together, they take down the troll.MidpointA more apt name for this part might be â€Å"Turning Point† - as it doesn’t technically need to fall in the middle. But it does need to include the main character changing from a passive force to an active force in the novel. Whatever the narrative’s main conflict is, the protagonist decides to start meeting it head-on here.Example: Harry, Ron, and Hermione learn about the Philosopher’s Stone, and realize it’s being kept guard in Hogwarts. They also learn that Voldemort is after the stone and decide they must find it before he does.Pinch Point 2Not again! The second pinch point involves another hit to the protagonist - things go even more awry than they did during the first pinch point. Also called the â€Å"Dark N ight of the Soul,† this might involve the passing of a mentor, the failure of a plan, the reveal of a traitor, etc.Example: The trio journey through the magical protections set in place to protect the stone. Harry loses Ron and Hermione on the way, leaving him to confront Voldemort on his own.Plot Point 2Phew! After the calamity the protagonist undergoes in the Pinch Point 2, they learn that they’ve actually had the key to solving the conflict the whole time.Example: At the height of the story’s primary conflict, Harry looks in the Mirror of Erised. Because his intentions for finding the stone are pure, the stone appears in his pocket and he learns that if Voldemort touches Harry, it will harm the dark wizard and not himself.ResolutionThe story’s primary conflict is resolved - and the character goes through the final bit of development necessary to transform them from who they were at the start of the novel.Example: Armed with the discoveries the Mirror o f Erised gave to Harry, he defeats Voldemort. The seven-point narrative structure is all about the highs and lows of the narrative arc. We've said it before and we'll say it again: story structures aren't an exact science and you should feel welcome to stray from the path they present. They're simply there to help you find your narrative's footing - a blueprint for the world you're about to start building.