Of course, much of what we see in the visual media of television and movies seems to rely on a 3-act structure (which is why much of it sucks), so I was struggling. Which way do I approach this? My gut said go with the 5-act structure, but it didn't offer any details or confirmation that I was right. So, I googled it.
Holy cow! I found several conversations about plot structure, but very few about the 5-act structure. Mostly it was the same little mountain graphic we all learned in grade school about conflict and rising action, yada yada yada. Until I hit a certain foul-mouthed but ingenious HULK. As I read his rant about the Myth of the 3-Act Structure, bells were going off everywhere. Yes! Yes! That's exactly what I was thinking but couldn't put into words! He is talking about movies, but the same principle holds for any good story telling really.
After taking notes and creating a fabulous chart for myself (because visuals/storyboards rock!), I decided to relieve myself of the burden of finishing one or two chapters this month and focus on getting the structure more concrete so I can actually complete the journey with a clear path in mind.
So have any of you made a sharp turn on your goals this month thanks to an epiphany? If you have, dance in the magic of it. Even if it turns out to be the wrong direction later, it will lead you somewhere. And somewhere can show you amazing things that nowhere can't.
So onward we go, Wipsters! May the plot bunnies be kind to you, and may you all have a good dog to herd them in the right direction!
We'll see you at the check-in tomorrow with Carol Garvin.
Bunnies are cute, but we've learned how quickly they multiply and can overrun the land.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to figure out what needed to be done with your story. Would you mind sending the link to the HULKish rant? Oooh... maybe your chart, as well, if you're up to it. I'm sure we could all learn from it.
I think that's the main part of the writing process I love so much. I'm always learning something new. I welcome the epiphanies because they take me to my creative limits and stretch those limits. I think that's where we can really get into some great writing experiences. Thanks to my writing classes, I've had the chance to experiment outside my writing comfort zone. You never know what you're capable of until you try.
Have a great Wednesday, everyone!
Trying is key, isn't it, Tonette? If you click on the name of the "Myth of the 3-Act Structure," it's a hotline. My comfort zone has absolutely been invaded, but I'm hoping by the end of all this, that zone will have grown much larger.
DeleteWork those limits!
Naturally in the haze that's been this week, I completely saw the link was a different color and it didn't register for me as a link. Hope you're happily working those limits!
DeleteThat's interesting. I decided last night to actually go back and outline a more solid structure as well. I was reaching that state in my manuscript when I start to slow down and question what the heck I was doing- so I know i needed some fast action to stop that process or I end up bailing in the middle of my work! So this morning I pulled out my old index cards and starting putting the arc together. Hopefully that will help with this evenings work! Love those bunnies, but love new puppies of ideas running around!
ReplyDeleteMy notecards are rebelling, so I'm working with my little chart and seeing things quite a bit more clearly. Of course, I'm still a mess, but at least I have a little structure beginning to take shape again. Middles are what always trip me up. Yay for the little puppies! May they bounce those beautiful ideas into shape for you!
DeleteI spent a lot of time reading about structure, and wrestling with the 3-act structure and character-driven stories, and then I tossed the whole worrying-about-structure thing and just wrote, lol. I do try to pay attention to arcs (story arc, character arcs) and tension/conflict during revisions, but I found I don't do well trying to map things out ahead of time. Maybe it's something I still need to learn, and still can learn, but that's where I'm at now.
ReplyDeleteCheering for you, and so happy about your epiphany. :) Some years in March Madness, I've made a radical change to my goals due to some sort of epiphany, but not this year. This year I'm plodding along, doing exactly what I'd planned. It feels kinda weird, lol. Wonder if I'll get all the way through the month without changing direction?
I've written by the seat of my pants, I've outlined, and I've sketched out goal posts, but this is the first time I've stopped to really, truly consider structure. I've just had a hard time getting purchase so this is where I am. It sounds as though you have your rhythm so just keep groovin' on. (Sorry...I'm showing my age!)
DeleteYou will get there, no matter what direction you end up taking. Rock it, girl!
I love it when revelations clarify what needs to be done. I haven't had too many of those lately, which is probably why most of my current progress is so slow and tentative. Truthfully, my writing style isn't organized enough to plan ahead for 3-act or 5-act anything! I'm too much of a pantser. Ah, well...slow but sure. Guess I'm more into tortoises than bunnies. ;)
ReplyDeleteAh, but remember...the tortoise won!
DeleteI'm glad you've found something that feels right for your project, Mary Ann. I like to think in terms of the 3 act structure when I'm in my early stages of organizing a plot. For me, it's manageable. But as each plot develops I'm not sure that they really fit into much of a system. I tend to have two climaxes in a lot of my books, for instance. Not sure why they work out that way, but through revisions that always seems to be what feels right. And my early drafts are always very character driven, but I don't consider it wasted time, even though much gets deleted. I get a deep understanding of my characters this way, and my revisions are actually not that difficult once I have a true sense of who they are. Just my two cents, but I know everyone is different.
ReplyDeleteI agree that no matter how far afield we might end up, writing is never a waste of time, even if we end up deleting half of it. It's part of that jelling process. Right now, I know who my MC is, but the other characters are trying to find themselves! Getting the basic plot more clear in my head will help me figure out that journey a little more...but it's kind of a chicken and egg deal! Ah...such is adolescence!
DeleteHappy madness, Denise!
Ay, on the whole structure thing. My one writing mentor swears by the three plot structure model based on Syd Fields. While another screenwriter uses the five structure model. And yet another one uses a plot wheel. It can drive anyone CRAZY.
ReplyDeleteOh, on bunnies. We have a lot of wild cotton tales that run nuts out here. Someone told me if we got a dog that would help. Problem is I don't want one as I grew up with them. Dad raised boxers. Plus we also have coyotes. Not a good combo!
On my own writing, decided to enter a contest. I mean, why not? A critique buddy helped by pointing out things I didn't see. So that's been good!
Oh yay, a contest! Good luck! I'm just hoping to get to a place where I can really think about what I'm doing. That has been very difficult, lately. I think I need to just start talking aloud to myself and work through it, no matter who's in my office/lab!
Deletegood luck with the bunnies and the contest, Kim!
I'm a bit like Shari. I focus on arcs rather than plot peaks. I researched the different structures and discovered that I had a strong aversion to the 3 act structure. I have no idea why. Reading that you can have as many peaks and valleys in your plot graph is perfectly acceptable, I then decided to ignore the 3 act structure with that single high peak.
ReplyDeleteI do outline, but at first I resisted this too. Until I read about the myriad of ways to outline and found one that worked for me. I wonder if our Highschool English classes with their strict structure is what took the joy out of plotting and outlining?
Anyway, glad to hear that you're finding methods that will resonate for you. Only epiphany this month is that I need to schedule in some 'dreaming' time throughout my week to work thing out in my head. Cool huh? Now I can tell my family that I'm writing as I stare off into space.
That is fabulous, Bonnie! Totally writing! And I think you are right. The way we teach writing has become more and more about rigid structure and less about development and depth. Education in general has made that turn, but that's a whole other can of worms!
DeleteI need to play with other ways to outline too. Flex those muscles! Now, I'm off to dream...I mean write!