These two key story structure elements are very, very often the CLIMAX of Act II: Part 2. They almost always occur next to each other, one coming right after—or soon after—the other. There might be a climactic action sequence before or after, but these elements will...
I got an excellent question this week about how and where to reveal a Protagonist’s Ghost or Wound. This is perfect timing for our discussion of the third quarter of your book or script—Act II: Part 2—because it’s in this Downward Spiral that the internal Ghost or...
As we continue our discussion of Act II: Part 2,I want to make sure you’re aware of this important story element. It can be tremendously useful—and it’s very rarely discussed! You could characterize the two halves of Act II with these very, very broad strokes: Act II:...
The darker, downward spiraling Act II: Part 2 is a PATTERN in novels and movies that we tend to see often. I want to say up front, as ever: If you’re writing an Act II: Part 2 that doesn’t fit this pattern, and it’s working for you, that’s all that matters! Only use...
Act II:2 is the third quarter of a book or script, and generally the darkest quarter. One of the most useful things you can do for your book or script is to start looking at Act II as two very distinct and contrasting Acts, divided by the Midpoint game-changer. (More...
Let's talk about that sagging middle. Of your book or script, I mean! This month we’ll be moving into the third quarter—often the darkest and most difficult quarter! —of a book or script: Act 2: Part 2, what I call THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL. But first I want to make...
We’re working with Act II: Part 1, so it’s time to do another post on STORY PATTERNS - which you really start to see at work in this second quarter of a book or script. The KIND of story, or STORY PATTERN, is different from genre or subgenre. There are hundreds of...
One of the key elements of Act II, especially Act II: Part 1, is the PROMISE OF THE GENRE. Your GENRE (and subgenre) is a promise to your readers or audience about the EXPERIENCE they are going to get by reading your book or watching your movie. It’s a contract with...
If there’s just one bottom line piece of advice I can give you about how to write a novel or script, it’s this— You need to know the PLAN. Your protagonist’s Plan is the road map, the Holy Grail, the spine, the sine qua nonof your story— book or script. The Plan is...
Now that you have your Index Cards, let’s get them up on a Story Structure Grid! If you haven’t brainstormed on Index Cards yet, that’s your first step: For the second part of the method, you’ll need: A cork board, whiteboard, wall, or a sheet of cardboard, big enough...
