Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story (Helping Writers Become Authors Book 3)

Like scene goals, scene conflict offers endless possibilities. Conflict can come in a variety of flavors, but most can be sorted into the following categories: 1. Direct opposition (another character, weather, etc., which interferes with and prevents the protagonist from achieving his goal). 2. Inner opposition (the character learns something that

you always want to make sure the Key Event has occurred by or during the First Plot Point.

AUTHORS ARE MUCH more likely to begin their stories too soon, rather than too late. We feel the pressure of making sure readers are well-informed. They have to understand what’s going on to care about it, right? To some extent, yes, of course they do. But the problem with all this info right at the beginning is that it distracts from what readers f

you will probably want to spread the initial introductions throughout

The moment you answer this question, your story is going to be effectively over.

appropriate characteristic moment with which to introduce a character, always consider choosing an event that can reflect, inform, or contrast his reaction to the First Plot Point.

Your character is going to want: 1. Something concrete (an object, a person, etc.). 2. Something incorporeal (admiration, information, etc.). 3. Escape from something physical (imprisonment, pain, etc.). 4. Escape from something mental (worry, suspicion, fear, etc.). 5. Escape from something emotional (grief, depression, etc.).

Whatever the scene conflict, it must arise organically as an obstacle to the goal. A random spat with the camp bully may offer conflict, but if it doesn’t endanger the protagonist’s ability to achieve his scene goal, then it isn’t the specific scene conflict you’re looking

1. Description. You can tell readers how your character feels. This isn’t always going to be a good choice, since you’ll gain more oomph by showing readers what’s happening. But sometimes a simple summary will allow you to return to the action faster. 2. Internal narrative/monologue. Most reactions will contain at least some aspect of this option, sin