[Helping Writers Become Authors 03] • Structuring Your Novel · Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story by Weiland, K.M. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Part 1: Story Structure

The Hook

Five Elements of a Riveting First Line Examples From Film and Literature

Where Should You Begin?

Character Action Setting In Medias Res The Dramatic Question

Opening Chapter Pitfalls

Questions Your Readers Shouldn’t Have to Ask Skip the Prologue? Dream Sequences Flashforwards: Use With Care How to Handle Backstory

The First Act, Pt. 1:Introducing Characters

Discovering Your Characters Which Characters Should Be Introduced? How Big Should Your Cast Be? Helping Readers Keep Your Characters Straight

The First Act, Pt. 2:Introducing Stakes and Settings

Introducing the Stakes Introducing the Settings Examples From Film and Literature

The First Plot Point

Examples From Film and Literature The Inciting and Key Events Examples From Film and Literature

The First Half of the Second Act

The First Half The Midpoint

The Second Half of the Second Act

The Second Pinch Point Subplots Examples From Film and Literature

The Third Act

The Third Plot Point Fulfilling Your Character’s Arc Examples From Film and Literature

The Climax

What Is the Climax? Make It Fast, Make It Big! Examples From Film and Literature

The Resolution

Tying Off Loose Ends—or Not Five Elements of a Resonant Closing Line Examples From Film and Literature

Further Considerations for Your Ending

Happy Ending or Sad Ending? How Not to End Your Story

FAQs About Story Structure

Part 2: Scene Structure

The Scene

The Two Types of Scene The Three Building Blocks of the Scene Figuring Out the Purpose of Your Scene Keeping Slow Scenes Moving The Scene in Action

Options for Goals in a Scene

Plot Goals vs. Scene Goals Shared Goals Options for Scene Goals Questions to Ask About Your Scene Goals Scene Goals in Action

Options for Conflict in a Scene

Is Your Conflict Integral? Allowing Conflict to Arise From Character Framing Conflict in Dialogue Options for Scene Conflict Questions to Ask About Your Scene Conflict Scene Conflict in Action

Options for Disasters in a Scene

Make Your Disaster Disastrous The “Yes, But!” Disaster Options for Scene Disasters Questions to Ask About Your Scene Disasters Scene Disasters in Action

The Sequel

The Three Building Blocks of the Sequel Conflict or Tension? The Sequel in Action

Options for Reactions in a Sequel

Don’t Be Afraid of Boring Readers Options for Sequel Reactions Questions to Ask About Your Sequel Reactions Sequel Reactions in Action

Options for Dilemmas in a Sequel

The Three Phases of the Dilemma Options for Sequel Dilemmas Questions to Ask About Your Sequel Dilemmas

Options for Decisions in a Sequel

Long-Term Goal, Short-Term Decision Obvious Decision or Long-Shot Decision? To State the Decision or Not? Options for Sequel Decisions Questions to Ask About Your Sequel Decisions Sequel Decisions in Action

Variations on Scene Structure

Variations on the Scene Variations on the Sequel

FAQs About Scene Structure

Part 3: Sentence Structure

Sentence Structure

Motivation-Reaction Units Common Sentence Slip-Ups Eliminating Unnecessary Verbiage

Acknowledgements

End Notes

Further Resources

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