How to Structure A Story: The Eight-Point Arc. By Ali Hale - 3 minute read One of my favourite “how to write” books is Nigel Watts’ Writing A Novel and Getting Published. My battered, torn and heavily-pencil-marked copy is a testament to how useful I’ve found it over the years. Although the cover appears to be on the verge of falling off altogether, I’ve risked opening the book once more to bring you Watts’ very useful “Eight-Point Story Arc” – a fool-proof, fail-safe and time-honoured way to structure a story. (Even if you’re a short story writer or flash fiction writer rather than a novelist, this structure still applies, so don’t be put off by the title of Watts’ book.) The eight points which Watts lists are, in order: StasisTriggerThe questSurpriseCritical choiceClimaxReversalResolution He explains that every classic plot passes through these stages and that he doesn’t tend to use them to plan a story, but instead uses the points during the writing process: So, what do the eight points mean?
Stasis Trigger The quest Surprise Climax Reversal. The 4 Story Structures that Dominate Novels. All stories contain four elements that can determine structure: milieu, idea, character and event.
While each is present in every story, there is generally one that dominates the others. Which one dominates? The one that the author cares about most. This is why the process of discovering the structure of a story is usually a process of self-discovery. Which aspect of the story matters most to you? Let’s take each element in turn and look at the structure that would be required if that were to be the dominant element in your story. STRUCTURE 1: THE MILIEU STORY The milieu is the world—the planet, the society, the weather, the family, all the elements that come up during your world-creation phase. Milieu stories always follow that structure. This structure is most common in science fiction and fantasy, but it also occurs in other types of novels. Likewise, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz doesn’t end when Dorothy kills the Wicked Witch of the West.
Hint Fiction Contest, Judged By Stewart O’Nan (2009) In the last two weeks of April 2009, I hosted a Hint Fiction Contest at my blog. Writers could submit two stories each. They could be either original or reprints. We received over 200 entries, all of which were read blindly. Gay Degani and I narrowed those 200 entries to just 20. Those were sent to best-selling author Stewart O’Nan, who had kindly agreed to act as the final judge. First place winner: HOUSE HUNTING by Gary A. The fence is tall. Second place winner: DEPARTURE by Donora Hillard The terminal is unkind. Third place winner: PROGRESS by Joe Schreiber After seventeen days she finally broke down and called him “daddy.”
Honorable Mentions: PEANUT BUTTER by Camille Esses He was allergic. THE MALL by Robley Wilson What he liked best about the affair was not the shopping, but parting the tissue wrap to remove the clothing that had first enticed her. A SNAP DECISION by Jamie Felton Her finger tapped against her teeth. And the other 14 finalists: Wired 14.11: Very Short Stories. 33 writers. 5 designers. 6-word science fiction.
Page 1 of 1 We'll be brief: Hemingway once wrote a story in just six words ("For sale: baby shoes, never worn. ") and is said to have called it his best work. So we asked sci-fi, fantasy, and horror writers from the realms of books, TV, movies, and games to take a shot themselves. Dozens of our favorite auteurs put their words to paper, and five master graphic designers took them to the drawing board. Sure, Arthur C. Failed SAT. Computer, did we bring batteries? Vacuum collision. Gown removed carelessly. Automobile warranty expires. Machine. Longed for him. His penis snapped off; he’s pregnant! From torched skyscrapers, men grew wings. - Gregory Maguire Internet “wakes up?” With bloody hands, I say good-bye. - Frank Miller Wasted day. “Cellar?” Epitaph: Foolish humans, never escaped Earth. - Vernor Vinge It cost too much, staying human. - Bruce Sterling. Create. Learn. Publish. Connect. Read.