This is a fantastic (and hilarious) lecture by Kurt Vonnegut explaining how story shapes work:
You can find out more and download an infographic with all the story shapes featured in the lecture here: https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-universal-shapes-of-stories-according-to-kurt-vonn-1526559996
In my review of Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational Arc by Dara Marks, we had a brief look at the importance of theme in the creation of stories. Once you’ve identified what your story is really about – or its thematic value – you can begin to build a structure around your characters… Continue reading Inside Story: Notes on the 3-Act Structure
Inside Story by Dara Marks is a book that can help you to write stories with real emotional depth and impact. It’s aimed at screenwriters but the advice can be applied to any story of any length. The transformational arc refers to how your characters change over the course of a story. But it’s not… Continue reading Review: Inside Story – The Power of the Transformational Arc
The heroine has met her mentor and been nudged into changing. Now she must enter the Special World of the story and Cross the First Threshold. This is where the stakes are raised and the challenge must be faced. It is a leap of faith. In the heroine’s journey this may be experienced as a… Continue reading The Heroine’s Journey: Crossing the Threshold
The heroine has refused the call to adventure through fear of change and needs a push to get her moving. She is ready to Meet the Mentor and receive help or advice for the journey ahead. In the heroine’s journey the mentor can often be seen as quite ruthless and uncompromising. Her guides may be… Continue reading The Heroine’s Journey: Meeting the Mentor
Our heroine has received the Call to Adventure and now must respond. At this point there is often a Refusal of the Call. The heroine is reluctant to change and scared of the unknown. In the heroine’s journey this may involve taking on the role of the spiritual orphan and the recognition of how alone… Continue reading The Heroine’s Journey: Refusal of the Call
We’ve met our heroine in her Ordinary World and discovered she is ready for a change. Now comes the Call to Adventure. The heroine experiences a challenge to the status quo that forces her to adapt. She may recognise the desolate state of her current life and awaken to a sense of meaninglessness or emptiness.… Continue reading The Heroine’s Journey: Call to Adventure
