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The 8 major turning points your novel needs |
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I'm a visual writer, but I had a lot of trouble with story structure and outlining - mostly because I couldn't resolve a satisfying ending. I finally figured out a way to split the ending in pieces, and balance the whole plotline out. I think it helps a lot, and this is how I plot my novels now (over 25 and counting). I turned it into a short guide and have made some videos to walk through the bullet points. I hope it's useful! PS. I'm not sure if you can see the graph well in this post, so here's the link to my blog. https://www.creativindie.com/plotdot/ |
| After making my 8 point plot dot template, I decided to try something harder - so I made a 24 chapter plot outline as well. These are broad, general writing prompts, based on most of the other popular novel outlining templates and strategies: BUT most of those are based on a 3-act play structure and have a soggy middle, because you don't give you specific instructions on how to fill this space. In my writing chapter outline, there's an A story for internal realizations and a B story for external events. I don't think there's been anything quite this detailed before so I'm happy a lot of people are finding it useful. I did make some downloadable files for MS Word and other writing software, but I'm not sure how to share that here, so this is the link to my blog (there's also a one-hour writing tutorial going through it). Am I the greatest writer in the world? No, but I have a PhD in Literature and quite a bit of experience writing and editing novels. If it works for you, great. If not, better luck with something else. https://www.creativindie.com/plot-outline/ HERE'S THE WHOLE THING The One-Page Novel Plot Outline ACT I: ORDINARY WORLD (START WITH LACK) 1 Really Bad Day Ordinary world, empathy, conflict. Show flaw and lack. Want, Problem, Need. 2 Something Peculiar Something unique or strange happens, but they dismiss it. 3 Grasping at Straws Trying to regain control of ordinary world but setbacks mount. INCITING INCIDENT (call to adventure) 4 Call to Adventure Something extraordinarily different happens, they can’t ignore. Major setback. 5 Head in Sand The new interrupts the old and causes conflict. Reveals dissatisfaction with ordinary. 6 Pull out Rug Trying to fix ordinary world problems while resisting the lure of the supernatural world. ACT II: 1ST PLOT POINT (point of no return) 7 Enemies & Allies Explore new world; meet characters, find their place and and role. Introduce all main characters. 8 Games & Trials Struggle to belong. Frustration and doubt. Trials and challenges. Promise of premise. 9 Earning Respect Small victory as lead proves capable. Fun and games. Begrudging acceptance. 1ST PINCH POINT (first battle) 10 Forces of Evil Stakes are raised, antagonists revealed. 11 Problem Revealed Surprise problem or situation. Demanding answers. 12 Discovery & Ultimatum New information, vulnerable share. In or out? MIDPOINT (victim to warrior) 13 Mirror Stage Self-realization or a discovery. Victim to Warrior. 14 Plan of Attack Plan of action to thwart antagonist’s forces or overcome main problem. 15 Crucial Role Trusted with an important task. 2ND PINCH POINT (second battle) 16 Second Battle They execute the plan, and come in direct conflict with antagonist’s forces. 17 Surprise Failure The plan goes horribly wrong, faulty information or assumption. Consequences. 18 Shocking Revelation The antagonist’s full plan/true identity is revealed. Stakes are raised. Guilt and anger. ACT III: 2ND PLOT POINT (dark night of soul) 19 Giving Up Lead loses confidence; the forces are too great. What they want is unattainable. 20 Pep Talk Encouragement from ally. Vulnerable share, inclusion. What’s at stake; choice. 21 Seizing the Sword Deliberate choice to continue, even if slim chance of success. FINAL BATTLE (triumph-knowledge) 22 Ultimate Defeat Triumph of Villain. All hope is lost. Confront fatal flaw. 23 Unexpected Victory Secret weapon or ability, deep resolve, new understanding, unlikely ally. Remove glass shard. Sacrifice. 24 Bittersweet Reflection Temporary victory. Innocents saved. How far they’ve come. REBIRTH (return to ordinary word) 25 Death of Self From ambition to service. Death of former self. Acknowledgment ceremony. Optional: Hints of future challenges or antagonist lives. |
| Aha - I found the button to upload an image. Here's the full thing. It's similar to the hero's journal but tweaked a bit, and more balanced. Let me know what you think (also, I know there are no "essential scenes" for every novel, but this is a good start if you're trying to give your story momentum and keep readers hooked). |
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