REFILL: 10 Steps to Outline Your Plot

Aug 8, 2023

Art tells a little story that helps him remember the sequence of steps in the "Dive the Trench" plot structure, then recaps how each section helps build the narrative of your story.

The steps of the "Dive the Trench" plot structure are listed below. It is based on the main character's power relative to the run time of the story, which creates a slanted "U" shape:

1. Define the Normal World
2. The Main Character Chases Their Desire
3. Explore the Risk with Playful Tension 
4. The Main Character Pivots to the Real Goal (their require)
5. Risk Escalates from Playful to Serious
6. Mid Point - The Main Character Decides The Only Way Out is Through
7. Risk Deepens from Serious to Fatal
8. Main Character Finds the Key (the plan to win)
9. The Final Showdown/The Payoff
10. The Wrap Up

To connect with Tim and Art directly, email the show at [e-mail].