I'm usually a "Pantser" when writing a story but i often find myself derailing off the story tracks and be in need of a outline to help keep me focused. So i researched for a basic plot structure and wanted some opinions on using it. This is the basic plot structure i found: 1. Exposition 2. Inciting Incident 3. Sub-Plot 4. Plot Point 1 (Obstacle) 5. Sub-Plot 6. Plot Point 2 (Mid-Point) (Plot Twist/Twist) (Obstacle) 7.Sub-Plot 8. Plot Point 3 (Disaster) (Obstacle) 9. Sub-Plot (End) 10. Plot Point 4 (Crisis) (Obstacle) 11. Climax 12. Resolution 13. Conclusion END Its pretty straight forward and easy to follow where i can easily fill out each step with my story. What do you guys think of this Plot Structure?
It's a take on the 8 point story arc (or 7 point) to me (cue copy and paste): • Stasis • Trigger • The quest • Surprise • Critical choice • Climax • Reversal • Resolution • Hook • First Plot Point • Pinch Point 1 • Mid-Point • Pinch Point 2 • Second Plot Point • Resolution They're banded around a lot still and I get it—the longevity, I think, is because it summarises the expectation of the reader. And so for the new writer it's a safe line to tread. That av. reader (experiencer of any story form really) too will have had a lifetime of conditioning from this formula which I guess, abets its perpetuation. I'd say cut your teeth on the above and, in time, if you (being a confessed pantser) feel the need to stray; at least you'll have a sense of what you're straying from. I climb outside the parameters a fair bit nowadays, drawing mind mappy type diagrams and sometimes herringbone looking things. I tag my scenes and timeline to them and feel it quite refreshing to do so.