Comments on: A story in three acts

By: Jordan

Jordan — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:39:34 +0000

Actually, Michelle, we’re going to cover both of those plotting methods as well. Thanks for sharing!

By: michelle

michelle — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:30:02 +0000

Jordan,
I think the idea that a writer should think a little like a screenwriter is a good thing. The “act” idea seems to be a good structure for writing a good story. There is an idea called the Hero’s Journey and while it leaves alot to be desired about structure it has some awesome ideas in regards to character arc. You can find a post about it here. http://writingonthewallblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/plotting-with-mythic-structure.html

In regards to Story Structure I have found something so personally amazing that I am gushing about it. It’s called Story Structure and it’s on storyfix.com by Larry Brooks. He also aproaches a story like a screen play with the story having four parts and certain places for certain scenes. I have re-read the posts over and over and have had amazing insights about my MS. I would definately go check it out it’s amazing. You can find it here: http://storyfix.com/category/story-structure-series

Personmally I use both together, the structure for where things need to go and the Hero’s Journey for events to increase the character depth. You can see my blog post here: http://cmichellejefferies.blogspot.com/2009/09/editing.html

I hope people go take a lok at it. I think it’s wonderful.

http://cmichellejefferies.blogspot.com/2009/09/editing.html

By: Trisha Puddle

Trisha Puddle — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:21:15 +0000

Great! Thanks, Jordan.:)

By: Jordan

Jordan — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:07:15 +0000

Thanks, Carol! It really is a question of semantics. Very slippery.

@Trisha—oh, good. And no, the end of chapter one isn’t too late at all. I mean, the three act structure says 1/4 of the way through for the story question!

By: Trisha Puddle

Trisha Puddle — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:57:35 +0000

Thanks, Jordan, you’ve answered my question and I can breathe a sigh of relief. I can’t say too much more though or I’ll give the story away.

Oh, there is one more question. Furble comes into the story at the end of the first chapter. Is that soon enough? The beginning of the chapter revolves around the classroom, the wildlife calendar and introduces the characters.