Is Story Structure A Myth?

Do stories have a structure? And even if they do, is there really any way to figure out what it is?

What is Story Structure?

Most writers aren’t story theorists, and don’t want to be. Still a basic understanding of structure can help you make your story sing.

Origins of Story Structure

Where did story structure come from and how did it evolve into the form we see today?

Story Structure for Passionate Writers

Readers and authors come to opposite sides of a story because of their passions – the author driven to express his or hers, and the audience hoping to ignite its own.

The Four Main Kinds of Stories

You can make your story a lot more focused and targeted if you narrow down the kind of  story you are creating. 

Character Change vs. Character Growth

Main characters don’t have to change to grow.  They can grow in their resolve.

Direction of Character Growth

Do you want your main character to grow into something or out of something?

Change is Good (or maybe bad)

By the end of your story, your main character will either change or stick to their old ways. How’s that work out for them?

Plot Points – Static vs. Sequential

How to approach the elements of plot such as goal so they work hand in hand with plot progression, such as acts, scenes, sequences, and beats.

Story Structure Seen As War

In both war and story structure, everybody has a job to do and a role to play.

The Four Throughlines

There are four throughlines that must be explored in every story readers to feel that the underlying issues have been fully explored.

The Hero Breaks Down

Groucho Marx once said, “You’re headed for a nervous breakdown. Why don’t you pull yourself to pieces?” That, in fact, is what we’re going to do to our hero.

The Dramatic Triangle

How to create tension where plot and personal problems converge.

Conflict Can Limit Your Characters

Writers are told that a good story requires character conflict. But just as with real people, characters can relate in many other ways.

“Things” as Characters

Characters don’t have to be people. As long as it can express human qualities, any “thing” can be a character.