DrRita
12-31-2005, 04:22 PM
I don't know about and of you, but sometimes it helps me to have a loose guide when developing a new story idea. I put this together from the material in the Screenwriter's Bible (Trottier) and though it was primarily developed for screenwriters, I've found it works really well for any sort of fiction writing, story or novel. It helps keep the focus on the story and main characters for the core story. After the core is developed then all the other sub plots and characters can be worked in. I wanted to share this and hope it may be of help to any of you while working on those "killer" ideas. ;)
DEVELOPING THE CORE STORY
TITLE: Should reveal something about the story that will catch the reader’s eye.
THEME: What is the value being tested/played out. (Example: love conquers all; forgiveness heals, etc)
LOGLINE: A one sentence summary of your story that will draw in the reader and peak curiosity. (Example: Forbidden love finds a way to unite two teenagers who are torn apart by feuding families. Romeo and Juliet)
SETTING: The time, place, era, and maybe the circumstances surrounding your story.
Main Story
OPEN: Set up the story show how life is/was normal before everything started to happen. At the beginning of a story life is in balance (it may be in balance on bad terms that may be “normal” for your characters)
INCITING INCIDENT: Something happens to upset the balance and sets the main character on a path to restore the balance. Gives the main character a goal.
BIG EVENT: This is the first major event challenges your main character’s attempt to restore balance. It’s where the stakes are raised and the main character is forced to make another choice to continue on, perhaps making a new plan, taking more risks to obtain the goal.
PINCH: This is the second major event in the story, where the main character is forced into becoming fully committed or turning back from the goal knowing once he/she commits there will be no turning back.
CRISIS: This is the lowest point in the story. It’s where it looks as if all is lost and the main character has to make a final decision that will be his/her last ditch effort to cross to obtain the goal.
CLIMAX: This is usually where the main character and the opposition square off and the last ditch effort either pays off or doesn’t.
REALIZATION: Win or lose, the main character has learned something, realizes something or is changed in some way—the final pay off.
RESOLUTION: All loose ends are tied up; anything that hasn’t been resolved is resolved.
DEVELOPING THE CORE STORY
TITLE: Should reveal something about the story that will catch the reader’s eye.
THEME: What is the value being tested/played out. (Example: love conquers all; forgiveness heals, etc)
LOGLINE: A one sentence summary of your story that will draw in the reader and peak curiosity. (Example: Forbidden love finds a way to unite two teenagers who are torn apart by feuding families. Romeo and Juliet)
SETTING: The time, place, era, and maybe the circumstances surrounding your story.
Main Story
OPEN: Set up the story show how life is/was normal before everything started to happen. At the beginning of a story life is in balance (it may be in balance on bad terms that may be “normal” for your characters)
INCITING INCIDENT: Something happens to upset the balance and sets the main character on a path to restore the balance. Gives the main character a goal.
BIG EVENT: This is the first major event challenges your main character’s attempt to restore balance. It’s where the stakes are raised and the main character is forced to make another choice to continue on, perhaps making a new plan, taking more risks to obtain the goal.
PINCH: This is the second major event in the story, where the main character is forced into becoming fully committed or turning back from the goal knowing once he/she commits there will be no turning back.
CRISIS: This is the lowest point in the story. It’s where it looks as if all is lost and the main character has to make a final decision that will be his/her last ditch effort to cross to obtain the goal.
CLIMAX: This is usually where the main character and the opposition square off and the last ditch effort either pays off or doesn’t.
REALIZATION: Win or lose, the main character has learned something, realizes something or is changed in some way—the final pay off.
RESOLUTION: All loose ends are tied up; anything that hasn’t been resolved is resolved.