7 Point Structure - Lead the Way
I found these infographs while searching for inspiration one day. I wanted to find a creative writing prompt to help move my story forward, and my eye was drawn to these interesting examples of story formulation. I found them to be useful tools, along side my outline format.
I use several tools in my arsenal of writing aids and these have recently been adopted as synopsis-style summaries for encouraging a story idea into fruition. They've helped motivate me to continue the story when I've been stuck in the 'mushy middle' and lost my way to the finish line.
This next tool is one created by Dan Wells, 7 Point Story Structure. I follow it's clever structure to see if my story works within it's rules.
I like the organization and order of writing a story, and this tool helps me put the order of the story into 7 neat points.
What's difficult, and I struggle with, is the act of harming my main character. I don't want anything to happen to my baby (hero/heroine). How could I possibly make them walk into a lion's den of trouble? What a terrible mother I would be to allow that to happen?
The storyteller in me says, "Walk farther into the darkness and see what you find?" But the inherent conflict between me and my character is quite interesting to view from the perspective of mother.
I would never allow my child to walk into danger, yet I've created this character from my own beautiful mind, and it's okay for them to tip-toe down the long dark path to some form of cruel demise I've created.
Yes, that's the nature of storytelling. If you don't 'put your darlings in danger'. No one will read your story. There's nothing to tell. There's no heroic rope swing to safety, as well as, there's no dramatic end to an edge-of-your-seat moment. It's no different than every day life where your kids come home from school, and they tell you they did 'nothing' all day.
Life has interesting twists and turns, but nothing as dramatic and life-threatening as an amazingly written story that captivates us from 'Page 1' until 'The End'.
Use these tools in your story creation and see where Page 1 starts your main character's journey, and where The End has taken them. Are they a changed hero/heroine? Or did they fall flat doing nothing along the way?
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