#five act structure

I identify as a Snowflake Methodist on the long run. Glad to know there was a name for my type of writing, tbh

More info about each here

Tag your fellow writer/storymaker/lorebuilder/OC tale developer pals!

Problem: The Story Goes Off the Rails in the Third Act

Solution: Weaving a compelling third act necessitates a guarded understanding of how to view and interpret a story on the micro and macro levels. That is to say, an attention to detail is essential, but equally valuable is the opportunity to take a step back and view the whole narrative as the sum of its parts. Do individual characters achieve their personal goals? Are relationship arcs incomplete? Is the drama, humor, or sense of mystery that drove the story in the first two acts, present or validated by the third act?

If one thinks of the whole of a story as a tapestry of sorts, then one might also view each chapter, arc, or act as a meaningful shape, pattern, or attribute of that greater tapestry. These attributes cue the readers as to what facet of story (or character) to focus on, depending on the moment. These attributes can also expose consequential divergences from established narrative designs.

How should readers interpret and process, or otherwise organize, these complex stimuli? For example, an author who purposefully generates tonal proximity between characters or events will ensure emotional continuity from scene to scene or from act to act.

Writing Resources:

5 Ways to Surprise Your Reader (Without It Feeling Like a Trick) (Writer's Digest)

Writing Great Beginnings and Endings (Writing Questions Answered)

How to Pace a Story (Writing Questions Answered)

How to Write Exceptional Endings (September C. Fawkes)

What Is Pacing in Writing? Mastering Pace (Now Novel)

What Is Rising Action? Building to an Epic Climax (Now Novel)

What Is the Dénouement of a Story? Your Guide (With Tips) (Jericho Writers)

How to End a Story Perfectly (Jericho Writers)

Hi! :)

Well, it's a bit complicated. We know it's going to happen, it has to because the show needs to finish (besides, Sherlock follows a five act structure) and johnlock has to be explicitly canon. I think it's obvious to everyone that S4 isn't the end.

But Mofftiss haven't said a word about S5 since 2016 (they did say they have plotted out S5 in 2015(?) -on a bus-). Ah well, now that I remember Mark said in an interview (x) (x) about Dracula that he was hoping to make another season of Sherlock :)

I think we haven't heard anything because Martin and Ben have busy schedules now, but it's crystal clear season five is happening.

I reckon they'll start filming it in 2022 (my opinion)

I recently watched this video posted by @criticalhitstory, about the three-act story structure. If you’re at all interested in writing films, or writing any kind of story really, I recommend you watch at least the first half of this video essay.

I’m not going to hash out everything in this video – I just want to call attention to the first point, which is something that’s fascinated me about storytelling for a while, but I’ve never heard someone else put into words before.

The three-act story structure is not something that was created. It’s something we’ve observed. It is not prescriptive; it’s descriptive. It’s not how a story should be told; rather, it’s how stories are told.

The fourth act, the worst possible outcome for Sherlock, isn't a sad ending, but the same ending. The same ending as every other adaptation, stuck in the relm of subtext, interpretation and plausible deniability. The rigid iconic characters going full circle .

"Who you really are - it doesn’t matter. It’s all about the legend, the stories, the adventures."

But this isn’t a detective story, it's a story abouy a detective.

I'm waiting for act 5.