As I struggle to shape another Max Finder Mystery, I do what I always do: surf other writer’s blogs. And why? Because it’s easier than actually creating something and it reminds me that I am not alone in this painful delight we call writing. And sometimes I even turn up good stuff.
Like this recent post over at Holly Black’s blog: Holly Black, Queen of Caffeine. Holly is the writer of the hit book series, The Spiderwick Chronicles and her blog is a lot of fun to read.
Last Thursday, Holly did some googling and dug up some great, well-used and effective plot structures. They’re mostly designed for films, but can easily be adapted for any writing: books, TV or short stories.
Here’s a sample of what Holly found:
“The Five Point Plot Structure consists of:
INCITE: This happens around page 10. It’s the reason your story
starts now. Rocky’s stuff is bagged at the gym because, according to
Mickey, he’s wasting his talent as a legbreaker instead of a fighter.
FIGHT: Happens around page 30 and ends the first act. This is where
the film’s central conflict is articulated. Rocky is offered a shot
at a championship match against Apollo Creed.
SECOND ACT SHAPER: Occurs about 2/3 through Act II and sets up Act
III. This is when the central character often reaches a point of no
return on his journey and reaches a critical decision. Rocky tells
Adrian that all he wants to do against Creed is to go the distance.
SOLVE: Happens between pages 95 and 100. Here is where the central
question is answered. Rocky loses the fight, but succeeds at going
the distance.
RESOLVE: Ties up loose ends and finishes the movie. Adrienne runs
into the ring and celebrates with Rocky.”
Holly outlines a couple of other formulas that will structure your plot, including the very effective Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler. She links back to their original web sources, so head over there and check them out.
Remember, Joseph Campbell has already established that all our stories stem from the same source. Just because you use a well established plot structure doesn’t mean your story is unoriginal or uninspired.It just means that it’ll be parceled out into workable chunks and it might actually get finished.
