Aug 1, 2023
Tim and Art deconstruct standard plot templates to uncover why they work. The result is a 10-point plot structure that chunks the larger story into manageable sections, thus allowing us to tackle the story in pieces. Compare the 10-point plan with your chosen plot template and see where they align!
The result is a "Dive the Trench" plot structure based on the main character's power relative to the run time of the story, which creates a trench "U" shape:
- Define the Normal World
- The Main Character Chases Their Desire
- Explore the Risk with Playful Tension
- The Main Character Pivots to the Real Goal (their require)
- Risk Escalates from Playful to Serious
- Mid Point - The Main Character Decides The Only Way Out is Through
- Risk Deepens from Serious to Fatal
- Main Character Finds the Key (the plan to win)
- The Final Showdown/The Payoff
- The Wrap Up
Tim and Art also referenced Kurt Vonnegut's brilliant video essay on the shapes of stories. Enjoy this video here.
To connect with Tim and Art directly, email the show at TiffinInnWritingWorkshop@gmail.com.