Who else likes to study story structure and form?

What kind of story structure do you like to implement best?

I usually use the three act structure, but that's because I'm writing scripts, and most scripts have the same structure. Unlike books, where you usually have a few more options!

What are the main structure forms for books? What do you like to use best?

(I haven't studied novel structure yet...just three-act)

Many people use a four act structure because it is easier to talk about with books, and I believe because the middle 'pinch point,' where (in the three act terminology) the first and second halves of the second act are divided, is more pronounced, and more important in books. It is basically the same thing, but gives you a more solid framework to work off of.

Story structure is the most critical yet underestimated aspect of storytelling. The best site I have ever come across regarding this is http://www.clickok.co.uk/index4.html ; it focuses on screenwriting and filmmaking but the concepts apply to all story forms, from novels, to short stories to TV series etc.

Beware of your link, please, my computer is giving me all kinds of warnings about it, and when I went there carefully, I found that a good deal of the information there is copied verbatim from a different site which I can't find now... but I know it's there, lol.

But it is really good information. Helped me a lot when I first got into structure. I also recommend Save the Cat! for that kind of thing (use a black marker on the language, though)

http://www.clickok.co.uk/index4.html is an original site. You shouldn't be getting warnings about it. I know I'm not. It is probably the other site that has copied the info. I would like to know the URL of that other site?

Thanks.

Sorry, the other site I mentioned I haven't been back to for a very long time, and after some googling, I couldn't find it. If I ever come across it again, I'll let you know. It was a site with an author as the URL, IIRC.

I know that the images on the site -- the plots with scribbled out names -- circulate on the internet quite a bit, tho. People like to paste them into forum posts, lol. (especially after Avatar came out. <laugh>)

It's certainly possible that this is the original site, but with my computer acting the way it was, and some general feelings I got from the layout, it didn't seem right.

I use an addon for Firefox called Web Of Trust and it was going nuts over the site. That's how I know I'm not on the same site as I was before; I've used WOT for a very long time.

Unless you are the one who made the site, then I'd be really cautious on it so you don't pick up a virus or something. WOT usually doesn't act badly for a good site.

Note: Listen to WOT. It's always right.

I'm an adherent of the "you have to know the rules to break them" philosophy. I like to break away from the "act" structures, but I think you need to be familiar with them to break away.

That's a long winded way of saying that I don't follow a specific structure. I base my structures on needs. If I decide that my story needs a catalyst character, I will appropriately alter the plot structure.

So I downloaded WOT and tried it. And yes it rates the site as poor on one of its dimensions. Reliable in another. Which surprises me. I visit the site regularly, have bought from it and have skyped with the author several times, so I know that it's legitimate. Which is why I don't mind recommending it.

So to me this seems like a weakness with WOT. And I wonder how it ranks. I'm a web designer and I can see how various elements would have varying influences. For example, I know the images belong to the author so if they are copied elsewhere onto the net then that would have a detrimental effect.

@Neil of Erk
With respect, if you're writing screenplays, they do follow a distinct structure and process. I've actually watched a whole movie online with the author of the above (510+ stage Hero's Journey) and it's just an enlightening way of looking at it that influences how you go about building your story. Certainly I come across lots of screenwriting questions and I say to myself, if only you looked at it from this perspective, then it wouldn't be a problem. He's put some youtube videos up recently that go into it a little bit.

Anyway.....other things to do.

I try to treat writing more like cooking...I put in a pinch here, a pinch there, tweak this character if it needs it, but I focus on the writing. What are these acts?

eruheran

I like story structure and its a good thing to study. But be careful not to get so much into the "Structure" that your book comes out looking like Mr Spock wrote it.

~Joe~


(though he would never write a fantasy. They're full of imaginary things which would be "highly illogical.")

I don't really have much for a formal "structure" in my book, probably because I am a panster writer . If I am dividing a reading assignment by its structure I typically follow the seven phase system: exposition, inciting moment, rising action, turning pouint, continued difficulty [cannot recall official name at the moment], climax, resolution.