It’s back to school time. I’m starting fresh, too, and revising big time. Before I start the re-write (it’s that much of a revision), I’m deconstructing my novel to find problems with my plot.
Up to this point, I’ve structured my plot based on the traditional 3 Act Structure, focusing on the 5 main plot points of: Inciting incident, Lock in, First Culmination, Main Culmination, and Third Act Twist.
The more I hear about other structures, the more I want to know. I want to go deeper – like Dark Night of the Soul deep. Like with my Logline, I turned to Blake Synder’s Save the Cat.
Here’s my 101 on Synder’s Beat Sheet:
Opening Image
This is the “before” pic (the “after” pic will appear in the final scene). It’s the starting point for the Main Character (MC) and the tone, mood, and genre are all included.
Snyder asks since the opening and closing must show the change that occurred, could someone read the opening and closing and want to read the rest?
Theme Stated
Someone, not the MC, will pose a question or make a statement to the MC that envelopes the theme of the story; it will be conversational, only understood later. The premise should be an argument posed by the writer, such as the pros and cons of living a particular kind of life. The rest of the story is the writer proving the argument.
Set-Up
(AKA Act 1)
Here, you introduce the MC, the stakes, the goal of the story, as well as all of the characters of main plot.
Snyder also adds the Show the 6 Things That Need Fixing: these are the MC’s tics, traits, and things missing in life.
Catalyst
(Aka Inciting Incident)
This is a life-changing event, often come disguised as bad news. The catalyst is not what it seems as it’s ultimately what leads the MC to happiness.
Debate
After the Catalyst, the MC must ask a question before proceeding.
I.e. When Reese Witherspoon’s character in Legally Blonde (a great back to school movie) finds the solution to getting her boyfriend back (who broke up with her in the Catalyst), which is to go to Harvard, the debate question is can she get in? The rest of Act 1 is the answer to that question.
Break Into Two
(AKA Lock-in and on to Act 2)
Here, the MC leaves the old world behind and enters the new world. But, it’s imperative that the MC must decide herself to proceed. She can’t be drawn or deceived into the action.
B Story
(AKA Subplot)
This is the story that carries the theme, often a love story. The characters from the B Story are usually new characters to the story.
I.e. In Legally Blonde, the B Story is Elle’s relationship with manicurist, who is an upside-down version of the sorority girls from Act One. Their relationship prompts Elle to discuss the difficulties she’s enduring and show her growth, allowing her to push through to her change in Act 3.
Fun and Games
This section delivers the promise of the premise of the story. The MC takes a break from the increasing stakes and delves into the new world.
I.e. In Legally Blonde, Elle immerses herself in law school.
Midpoint
(AKA First Culmination)
This is the threshold between the two halves of the story. The Fun and Games are over. It’s either false victory or false defeat for the MC.
Bad Guys Close In
This is the hardest part of the story to write. The MC’s team is struggling, and the bad guys regroup. It’s evident that the MC is heading towards a huge fall and must proceed nevertheless.
All Is Lost
(AKA Main Culmination)
The is the opposite of the Midpoint. It looks like either total defeat or total victory, but it’s just temporary.
Dark Night of the Soul
The MC has been beaten and must know it in order to learn the lesson of the story.
Break Into Three
(AKA Third Act Twist and Act 3)
The solution. This is where the Main Plot and the Subplot (B Story) meet, and offer a solution to the MC. There’s a lot happening: all the lessons have been learned, the 6 Things have been mastered, the Bad Guys are dealt with, and the new world emerges.
Final Image
The “after” pic, this is the opposite of the opening image and proof that the MC has changed.
I’m hoping that weaving together the 3 Act Structure/ 5 Plot Points with Synder’s Beat Sheet will help me create a stronger plot. In particular the Beats of Debate, Bad Guys Close In, and Dark Night of the Soul have helped me go deeper in my story.
Christie’s talking about plot lately, too. What plot structure systems do you find helpful?
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