I wanted to bring this up as I saw something recently that spread information about the elements to writing and character story.
So allow me to sperg to those who are looking for knowledge about the elements of story.
How should I structure a story?
Depends on the type of story, for the sake of consistency in topic; we’ll go into the multilayered story.
You may have heard this name before or read books by him but the way we write and outline our stories came from the mind of Joseph Campbell.
This is a good video for my visual learners out here, it’s very good and gets the points across very well!
While Campbell is the go to for his 12 step structure there are a plethora of other authors and writers who’ve just as equally mapped out the hero’s journey!
Dan Harmon a man that needs no introduction as far as bibliography goes: a fellow nerd, dnd fanatic, telovision writer and creator.
In his story circle, he takes Campbell’s journey and breaks down the fundamental key points to how any storyteller should structure an episode or general story outline/arc.
In other words: it’s simple and straight to the action!
It’s so easy to forget or lose track of your story without a simple point of reference to structure your characters arcs!
This are crucial to not only telling but showing the moments of who we are following on the journey.
Without hurdles, highs and lows, pain, and every kind of thing that life has and will throw at you, than what thrill and satisfaction will the audience get from their turning point?
“Rome was not built in a day, for if it was, the Romans would be left with nothing to do”
- Illymations (animal crossing video)
I like quoting this when the topic of storytelling comes up.
If you had everything you ever wanted and didn’t need any kind of work to get it would the reward still feel rewarding? Probably not. That’s why when you put off doing simple chores and finally get around to completing them that you feel better; it’s rewarding!
Your character should have to run an obstacle course to get to the finish line, but it’s can always look different.
Some stories start with a climax while others have it in the middle!
As long as your character goes on a journey where they return home having grown into someone new and learned something important that forever changed who they started as. You have a story.
And the setting can be just about anywhere and any time. Past/Present/Future, modern or scifi, even in a coffee shop.
I want to specify that by no means should the point of my lil sperging be disregarded by personal bias and opinions of the names mentioned as its not relevant
Properties of the three acts!
The three act structure is the three different key moments to any narrative: the beginning, middle and end. When I talk about acts I’m not talking about plot, that’s a different story ;3 (badumm tsss)
Act one is where we establish the world, setting and rules that apply to it.
It is also where we meet the character(s) of the story.
As we proceed I will be using the Steven Universe movie as an example for the 3Act Structure.
Act one perfectly captures the key points of the first act!
A recap of the events in the show
Introducing Steven and company
As well as the motivations and personality of each main focal character: Steven, amethyst, pearl and garnet
We get a somewhat forward send off to one character
We reach the very last few points of the first act believing nothing bad could change the day before
Once we meet the final focal character we are thrown into the main overarching plot.
Once Spinel gets poofed, act one ends
The second act is where the character(s) have to interact with the changed/new environment, the struggle or challenge being had.
We follow them as we have to trek the difficult terrain and solve puzzles that help the character get closer to the end goal
In the movie Steven needs to face three problems: reviving his family (gems) stopping the injector and figuring out who spinel is.
The hero usually faces three trials
They’ll get through 2 but the third is often not successful.
We get garnet back but not fully (this is the failed trial. For now)
Amethyst is first to be brought back
Pearl needs to be reminded of a rebellious spirit to come back
And now we enter the final lap
As we get to the climax and resolution, we have the big confrontation between the character(s) and the driving force. Sometimes said force is the reason for our arrival into the second act, either by a force of nature or by something/someone.
In the movie Steven confronts spinel rather he chases her, we learn more about her past and her motivation and her relationship with Steven’s mother. The two are able to talk about it now knowing the full story so as Steven returns and catches the others up, all is well until a seed of doubt and fear plants itself in spinel as she panics. Before we get a 1v1 between Steven and spinel garnet returns.
Conflict and the climax have been reached when the highest point of tension finally erupts! And as we fall so too does the tension as we reach the resolve.
So… where do we get there in the movie?
Spinel slowly realizing before during and after she lets all the bottled feelings she’s kept inside out and she calms… as we close to the victory lap the first minor plot returns with the diamonds coming to earth and spinel finally gets her need.
Wait need? What about the want?!
I left it out for this section.
In the beginning the character has a want or that’s what they think until the middle of the story… right in the middle of act 2. Our hero realizes that the original want is no longer there. Now, they have a distinct need. This is when our character grows up and matures!
In the movie Steven has to learn or relearn that he isn’t his mom and doesn’t have to be someone that others expect him to act or be.
Alright I’m low on spoons, but that’s my points!
Oh and characters aren’t perfect just the same as people, if everyone was there wouldn’t be excitement or interesting stories to be told!
