The Prologue

What is a Story?

Why does Story Structure Matter?

Why 3-Act Structure”

What are Plot Beats?

What’s the Importance of Pacing?

Story Structure + Pacing 101

Origins of Three Acts Structure

Aristotle Developed It (approximately 350 BC)

Horace and Shakespeare Ditched It

In the 20th Century, It Makes a Comeback (Syd Field – Movies)

Now It’s the Foundation of Modern Storytelling

Three Parts of a Story

Beginning

Middle

End

What Makes a Story?

Interesting People

Doing Interesting Things

In Interesting Places

(If All Three are not Interesting, the Story Loses Power to Intrigue Reader)

Interesting People

Wants (Internal)

Needs (Internal)

Goals (External)

Obstacles (External)

Interesting Things

Out of the Ordinary

A Result of Conflict (Internal or External)

Something is at Stake

Interesting Places

Add a Layer of Disruption

Create Obstacles and Conflict

Immerse the Reader in Your World

Why does Story Structure Matter?

It Gives Shape, Meaning and Order to the People, Things and Places in Your Story

Otherwise, You Just have an Unordered List

Benefits of Story Structure

Story Structure Provides Clarity

Story Structure Prevents Boredom

Story Structure Helps You Reach “The End”

What is a Story Structure?

A Story Structure Illustrates When and How the Story Events are Presented

It’s a Proven Formula for Meeting Reader Expectations

Requires Character Goals, Motivations and Conflict

What is a Goal?

Internal Goal: The Character’s Emotional Want or Need

External Goal: The Character’s Desire for a Physical/Material Achievement

What is Motivation?

Internal Motivation: What Drives a Character Toward their Internal Goal(s)

External Motivation: What Drives a Character Toward their External Goal(s)

What is a Conflict?

Internal Conflict: When the Characters Wants are Different from their Needs

External Conflict: When Someone – or Something –

Prevents the Character from Achieving their Goal(s)