Novel Plot Structure Hello! 2 what is plot is all the events - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Novel Plot Structure

Hello!

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what is

× plot is all the events that happen in a story × plot structure is how those events are arranged. Everyone is probably familiar with the simplest form of plot structure: beginning, middle, and end × good plot structure is making sure that all the events in your story happen in a manner that is consistent, logical, and emotionally satisfying

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Why is good plot structure important?

× think of your story as a roller coaster: in order for your reader to have a fun time, there needs to be ups and downs, happy things and sad things spread throughout the story...or else things are boring × events also need to build upon and/or connect with the events around them logically and (ideally) smoothly...or else things won’t make sense × Note: “exciting” and “logical” can be relative depending on the person and genre of the work

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story templates and “standard” plot structure

× technically there’s no “standard” plot structures...just ones that have worked well for other people in the past × think of the standard “essay templates” you learned in school × there are tons of different plot structures out there, so feel free to experiment and use whatever one you think fits your story best, customize it as much or as little as you want, or take everything you’ve learned and make your own × a standard plot structure template is a great starting point for beginners; you have something that’s proven to work for others, but also the chance to put your personal touch on it × remember: the same plot structure might form the core of many different stories, but execution--writing, characters, setting, etc--is what makes each one unique

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examples of common plot structures

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The Hero’s Journey Freytag’s Pyramid Three-Act Structure

Save the Cat! method

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× Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder × savethecat.com × This method uses something called the beat sheet: a set list of standard events--or “story beats”--upon which to base your story around. × there are 15 beats spread across 3 acts of the story × these are intentionally vague to allow as much adaptability as possible × think of it like a mold, or scaffolding

A couple notes and caveats

× this is not the only story structure guide out there, nor objectively the best. It’s just my favorite, and the one I’ve personally found most useful and easy to understand × this guide was originally meant for screenwriting (aka movies), but it works great for novels as well, and many novelists love it. However, some things might need some slight tweaking to better fit the medium and genre × this works best for longform fiction, but it can work for short stories with some tweaking × plot-driven books (usually genre fiction) tend to fit this structure better than literary or experimental works, but there are plenty of successes of all kinds of books × all numbers are approximate

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Some vocabulary

Story beat/beat

• an individual action point

within a story

• can be a single event/scene,
• r group of scenes

Genre

• the type of story you’re telling
• the “model” of story you’re creating
• each genre has its own

conventions, aka the things people expect from it

• Blake’s definition of genre is a bit

different, ignore it for now

Pacing

• how fast or slow things

happen

• different genres will have

different pacing

Act

• the main divisions of a story
• ex: the beginning, middle, and

end

• several beats make up an act

Theme

• the central message of the

story; the emotional core

Beat sheet

• a full list of all the major beats

in a story

• literally a sheet with all the

beats on it 9

Before you start, you should know...

× the setting: where your story takes place × the protagonist: the “hero” of your story, whose journey the reader follows × the antagonist: the “villain” of your story; the person/people/forces

• pposing the protagonist

× the confl flict: who is fighting against whom, and about what × the protagonist’s goal(s): what your protagonist wants and is trying to accomplish throughout the story × the stakes: what happens if your protagonist fails × a logline/summary (optional): a short summary of your general story × a logline is 1 sentence × a summary is 1-2 paragraphs...what you’d find on the back of the book

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Example: The Hunger Games

× Setting: post-apocalyptic America, now divided into 12 Districts under the rule of the tyrannical Capitol, where 2 teenagers from each district are picked every year to compete in the Hunger Games, a fight to the death for the entertainment of the Capitol × Protagonist: Katniss Everdeen, a brave and resourceful 16-year-old from District 12, who gets drafted into the Hunger Games × Antagonist: the evil Capitol regime, headed by the ruthless President Snow × Confl flict: Katniss vs. the Capitol; Katniss vs. the other tributes × Katniss’s goals: Survive the Hunger Games × Stakes: life and death--if she loses, she’ll die

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Blake Snyder’s 15 Story Beats ACT I

1, Opening Image 📸

• 2. Theme Stated 💭
• 3. Set-Up 👌
• 5. Catalyst 😯
• 5. Debate 🤕
• 6. Break Into 2 😷

ACT II

• 7. B Story 😙
• 8. Fun & Games 🙄
• 9. Midpoint 😂😬
• 10. Bad Guys Close In 😩
• 11. All is Lost 😲
• 12. Dark Night of the Soul 😮
• 13. Break into 3 😥

ACT III

• 14. Finale 😏
• 15. Final Image 📹

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Act 1

The thesis world

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Opening Image 📸 (1 %)

× the scene that starts the story × The very first impression of what a movie/book is — its tone, its mood, the type and scope of the film — are all found in the

• pening image

× definitely more of a film feel, but the concept still holds for novels Example: At the start of the story, we see Katniss waking up alone in bed, thinking about the day ahead, the world around her, and the upcoming “reaping”.

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Theme Stated 💭 (5 %)

× Theme: the message explored throughout the story × Somewhere in the first few chapters, someone will pose a question or make a statement that is the theme of the movie. × The rest of the screenplay is the argument laid out, either proving or disproving this statement, and looking at it, pro and con, from every angle. Example: The theme of The Hunger Games is survival: Katniss’s whole life has been about just surviving. Playing by the Capitol’s rules to protect her family. But soon she’ll learn that in order to “win,” she’ll need to do more than just survive the Capitol...she’ll need to beat it by living up to her true potential as the face of the revolution.

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Set up 👌 (1-10 %)

× The purpose of the set-up is to introduce all the main characters and the world around them × introduce their goals, their conflicts, quirks, and plant seeds for anything that will happen later on × It’s where we see the protagonist’s “normal” life before the adventure starts × “normal” doesn’t mean boring Example: Katniss sneaks into the outskirts of District 12 with her friend and hunting partner Gale. Life is tough in the impoverished area of District 12, and Katniss is an accomplished archer who took up illegal hunting in order to provide for her mother and beloved younger sister after her father’s death. We also learn more about the dreaded Reaping and the Hunger Games, where teens from the district are drafted into a televised fi fight for the death each year to appease the Capitol

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Catalyst 😯 (11 %)

× aka the “inciting incident” × the event that changes your protagonist’s life forever, the “spark” that sets them on their adventure × if you know your premise, you should have a good idea of what your catalyst is × usually takes the form of an outside force acting on your protagonist...but not always Example: Katniss’s sister Prim is chosen during the Reaping, and Katniss “volunteers as tribute” to save her, Peeta Mellark, a boy who saved Katniss’s life 5 years earlier, is also chosen. Other examples: Luke Skywalker fi finding Princess Leia’s message in Star Wars, Nick Fury reactivates the Avengers Initiative in The Avengers, Hiccup fi finds an injured dragon in the woods in How to Train Your Dragon.

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Debate 🤕 (11 -23%)

× the time where the protagonist is standing at the edge between their old world and the new world of the upcoming adventure × protagonist wonders: Should I go? Dare I go? Sure, it's dangerous out there, but what's my choice? × last chance for the protagonist to turn back (thematically) × should ask a question of some kind; not just in the mind of the character, but in the minds of the reader as well Example: Katniss says goodbye to friends and family before boarding the train, gets some advice from Gale, and receives a mockingjay pin as a parting gift from a friend, and the pin will eventually become a symbol of hope and rebellion. On the train, she talks with Peeta and her mentor, Haymitch. The question the debate section poses is: will Katniss survive the games? And if so, how?

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Break into 2 😷 (23 %)

× The act break is the moment where we leave the old world behind and proceed into a world that is the upside down version of that, its antithesis. But because these two worlds are so distinct, the act of actually stepping into Act Two must be definite × something (relatively) big should happen, providing a clear break between Acts 1 and 2 × The protagonist cannot be lured, tricked, or drift into Act Two. The protagonist must make the decision themself. That's what makes them a hero anyway — being proactive. Example: Katniss and Peeta arrive at the Capitol, the upside down version of District

• 12. Everything here is glamorous, luxurious, indulgent, colorful, and the people are

gluttonous and a bit clueless. It’s clear she has left her old life behind.

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Act 2

The antithesis world

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B Story 😙(27 %)

× the subplot of the book ×

• ften deals with character relationships, especially love

× timing is very flexible, it should start somewhere early in the second act and continue throughout the rest of the book Example: The B Story is the love story between Katniss and Peeta, and by extension, the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta, and Gale. During his televised interview with Cesar Flickman, Peeta confesses his love for Katniss, making the audience believe that they are star-crossed lovers, doomed to die. Katniss is at fi first furious, then confused about how she really feels, since they’ll be enemies once they’re in the arena.

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Fun and Games 🙄(27-50 %)

× “the promise of the premise” × the protagonist is beginning to explore the new world of the adventure × “fun” is relative, and usually means fun for the reader, if not necessarily the character × the important thing is that the stakes are not yet raised × things should be going (relatively) well for the protagonist Example: Preparation for the 74th annual Hunger Games begin as Katniss and Peeta undergo training, mentoring, and more makeovers. Katniss makes an awesome entrance at the opening ceremony and wows the Gamemakers. She and Peeta also share a poignant moment on the roof. The Hunger Games (aka the promise of the premise) fi finally begin. Katniss and Peeta separate and face their

• wn various challenges. Katniss befriends another tribute, Rue.They drop a tracker

jacker nest on a group of Career Tributes, but Katniss gets stung in the process.

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Midpoint 😂😬(50 %)

× either an "up" where the protagonist seemingly peaks (though it is a false peak) or a "down" when the world collapses all around the hero (though it is a false collapse), and it can only get better from here on out. × a false peak tends to be more common × fun & games are over; the stakes are raised Example: Katniss collapses from the hallucinations and poison caused by the tracker jacker stings. She thinks she’s done for, but Peeta saves her life and tells her to run. As the A and B stories cross, Katniss begins to question whether Peeta does really have feelings for her. But the stakes are raised, because even if he does, only

• ne of them can win.

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Bad Guys Close In 😩(50 - 68 %)

× the bad guys close in, on the protagonist, and they start winning × can be internal or external bad guys; frequently both × up until now, the protagonist has been “winning”; now things take a turn for the worse × the stakes get progressively higher, as things get more serious × this is a progression with its own ups and downs, not a single moment Example: Katniss eventually heals from the poison. She makes an alliance with Rue, and the two plot to destroy the Careers’ food supply. During her mission, Katniss learns that the Careers’ left Peeta for dead. She blows up the supplies but is injured and loses her hearing in the process. The next day, Katniss fi finds Rue stuck in a trap, where she’s killed by another tribute. Katniss kills the tribute, but is unable to save Rue.

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All is Lost 😲 (68 %)

× the protagonist seemingly loses, typically in a big, dramatic fashion × all seems it be lost × a “whiff of death”--figurative or literal Example: Rue makes Katniss promise she’ll win for both of them. In a “Whiff of Death” moment, Katniss sings a song for Rue as Rue dies.

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Dark Night of the Soul 😮 (68 - 77 %)

× a moment to process the protagonist’s (and reader’s) emotional response to the All is Lost moment × the “dark before the dawn”; the moment right before the protagonist digs down deep and pulls out their last, best idea that will save themself and others × can be as long or as short as necessary × can be quieter, but stuff should still be happening; do not write ten pages

• f your character sitting around and moping

Example: To pay respects to Rue, Katniss decorates her dead body with fl

• flowers. She receives a gift of bread from District 11 (Rue’s district) and says a

verbal thank you to them. She remembers her promise to Rue and vows to win for her.

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Break into 3 😥 (77 %)

× pulling themself together after the All is Lost and Dark Night of the Soul, the protagonist decides to stand up and fight × the turning point where they finally let go of their old ideas and dig down deep, using everything they’ve learned, to find a new solution × if All is Lost/Dark Night of the Soul is the protagonist losing hope, Break Into 3 is where they regain it × the protagonist should be proactive Example: When it is announced that there’s been a change of rules and now two Tributes can win the Hunger Games if they are from the same district, Katniss fi finds, rescues, and teams up with Peeta, who she now seems to genuinely have feelings for, even if she won’t admit it. They kiss in a cave, and Haymitch sends them food as a reward.

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Act 3

The synthesis world

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Finale 😏 (77 %-99%)

× basically the entirety of Act 3 (minus the Final Image) × the protagonist digs down deep to come up with a last-ditch new plan, defeat the bad guys, achieve their goals, and bring their world back into a new balance × lessons are learned, character flaws are overcome, and the protagonist is ultimately triumphant after their long struggle × the finale is where the protagonist finally earns their “happily ever after” × unless it’s a tragedy

× Five-step fi finale

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Step 1: Creating the Plan

× think of the finale in terms of “storming the castle” × The protagonist, and the protagonist’s allies, come up with a plan to “storm the castle”. They assemble the team (if applicable), make the preparations, and prepare to set out Example: Peeta, having been injured previously, is getting worse. The Gamemakers announce that all the remaining tributes need something and everything will be available to them in a backpack in the center of the arena, in hopes of luring all of them into a

• confrontation. Katniss decides to risk her life to get the

backpack--and the medicine it contains--for Peeta.

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Step 2: Executing the Plan

× The plan begins. The wall of the castle is broached. The heroes enter the Bad Guys’ fort. All is going according to plan. Example: Katniss is almost killed getting the backpack, but she manages to get back to the cave and gives the medicine to Peeta. He recovers quickly. Another tribute dies after eating poisonous berries, leaving only Katniss, Peeta, and Cato left. The gamemakers drive all three back to the Cornucopia and unleash genetically mutated wolves on them. Katniss and Peeta escape the wolves, but Cato is

• devoured. Katniss kills him out of mercy.

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Step 3: high tower surprise

× The big plot twist that completely wrecks the protagonist’s

• riginal plan

× Finally reaching the tower where the princess is being kept, the hero finds… she’s not there! And not only that, it’s a trap! It looks like the Bad Guy has won. Example: Just when they think they will both win, the Gamemakers announce that they are revoking the revision of the rules. Only one Tribute can win. The Gamemakers intend to force Peeta and Katniss to turn against each other.

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Step 4: Dig Down Deep

× The protagonist now has to come up with a new plan. And it’s all part and parcel of the overall transformation of the protagonist and their need to “dig deep down” to find that last ounce of strength to win the day. Example: Katniss is furious that she has been fooled by the Gamemakers and fi finally the truth sets in. The lesson is learned. She can’t just survive. She has to rebel. She has to show the Capitol that they don’t own her.

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Step 5: Executing the New Plan

× Thinking on the fly, and discovering their best self, the protagonist executes the new plan, and wins! Goal accomplished, bad guys defeated. Example: Katniss gathers the poisonous berries and prepares to swallow them with Peeta, so that there will be no winner of the

• Games. The Gamemasters stop them just in time and declare that

they both have won, but Katniss has made a powerful statement that plants the seeds for rebellion. Katniss and Peeta recover in the Capitol, where they pretend the berry stunt was done out of their love for each other to keep the Capitol, furious at having been made a fool

• f, from killing them.

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Final Image 📹 (100%)

× the closing image of the book/movie × should be the opposite of the opening image; it’s the proof that change has occurred and that it’s real Example: Katniss and Peeta join hands for the cameras as they prepare to disembark the train that has brought them back to District 12. She is returning home a victor. And she doesn’t know what will happen (will the Capitol seek their revenge on her or let her be?)

• r even how she feels about Peeta. But one thing is for certain: she is

not the rule-playing, survival-obsessed girl she was before. She is a rebel.

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Turning Points vs. Sequences

Turning Points Theme Stated Catalyst Break Into 2 Midpoint All is Lost Break into 3 Sequences Set-Up Debate B Story Fun & Games Bad Guys Close In Dark Night of the Soul Finale

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Turning Points vs. Sequences

Turning Points

Catalyst Break Into 2 Midpoint All is Lost Break into 3

Sequences

Set-Up Debate B Story Fun & Games Bad Guys Close In Dark Night of the Soul Finale

Other

Opening Image Theme Stated Closing Image

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A Graphical Representation

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Midpoint 50% Catalyst 11% Break into 2 23% All is Lost 68% Break into 3 77%

Act 1 Act 2 Act 3

How to use a beat sheet

× come up with the basic information of your story first: the genre, the premise, the setting, the protagonist/antagonist, the main conflict, goals, and stakes, etc. × download a premade beat sheet template (like this one) or make your own by listing out the 15 beats from the Save the Cat method × fill in the beat sheet with the events you want to happen in your story × it helps to fill in the turning points first, and then the sequences × use transitions to connect any events that aren’t directly related × turn each beat into 1 or multiple scenes × index cards are super helpful! × start writing when you feel comfortable with your outline

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Your turn!

Download this beat sheet template (or create your own) and look up the synopsis of your favorite book/movie. Try to organize and categorize the events into the 15 story beats.

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Additional resources

× The original books: Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder and Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody × A free summary of the book × Downloadable beat sheet templates by author Jamie Gold (includes STC method and other methods, as well as other helpful worksheets) × Beat sheets of popular movies (tons of great examples made by the STC creators)

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THANKS!

Any questions?

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