Structure of Stories

Structure of StoriesCreative Writing, Ms. Manfra

Connections between genres•Narrative: a story being told•Memoir: a story told about ourselves

•Short story/novel: a fictional story being told in prose

•Scripts: a story told in a script form, for stage or screen

Structure•Conscious, purposeful arrangement

•Some writers naturally understand flow

•Some writers need to learn the basics of flow

•Structure creates a framework for your story, but allows for creativity

Elements of a Story’s Structure•Bits•Beats•Scenes•Sequences

•Structure combines these elements to form an engaging story

Bits•Small images or moments•Show who people in a piece are•Show what people are doing

Bits1. Bits reveal

something about a character

But I'd like the pie heated and I don't want the ice cream on top, I want it on the side, and I'd like strawberry instead of vanilla, if you have it. If not, then no ice cream, just whipped cream, but only if it's real; if it's out of the can then nothing.

Scene from When Harry Met Sally

Bits2. Bits establish relationships

In Of Mice and Men, the opening bits demonstrate the relationship between Lennie and George

Bits3. Bits move the plot forwardIn Star Wars, Luke Skywalker finally hears a mysterious message he’s been wondering about

Bits4. Bits serve as backstory to give the story depth▫One or two sentence flashes into past actions, images from the past

▫Reveal background on the character or situation

Hey, remember that time when…

Using Bits•Brief, active, make a single point•Distinguish bits from summary

▫“They fought in the kitchen” is summary

▫“When he turned, she wound back and struck him across the side of the head. Dazed, he stepped back and muttered unintelligibly, knocking over a pile of dirty pots she’d left on the counter.”

Using Bits•Summary doesn’t allow quick, efficient establishment of relationships

•Overuse of summary is seen as immature

•Bits add depth and layers•Bits reflect human behavior—shaded, complex, nuanced

•Bits are micro-movies

Using Bits•Lean towards bits more than summary

•“Bits are tiny images, the cells of the body of your work”

Beats•Beat: a unit of action or thought in a story

•Beats are bits with plot implications

•Beats use cause and effect▫A megalomaniac threatens to take over the world, so…

▫A groom is left at the altar by the bride, so…

▫After you slay the dragon, you…

Beats•Beats use implications, stakes, and results

•The direction of the story changes

•Use emotional turning points•Every story has a minimum of 3 beats: a beginning, middle, and end

Scenes•Beats combine to make scenes•A fixed location•A contiguous span of time•When you change location, you change scenes

•When you change the time, but not the location, you change scenes

Sample Beats in a Scene•2 PM, Sally’s Salon•Sally’s customer Bob becomes angry because she dyed his hair green.

•Bob’s wife is flirting with Sally’s son.

•Sally refuses to refund Bob.•Bob and his wife storm out, as Bob screams, “I ’ll ruin your business!”

Scenes•Scenes have four features:1.Problem.2.Polarity.3.Time Limitations.4.Space Limitations.

Scenes: Problem•Conflict drives scenes, gives them shape and dramatic interest

•The main character needs a clear problem

•There needs to be a worthy “opponent”

Scenes: Polarity•The scene needs an emotional direction: better? Worse?

•What is the impact of the solution?

•What is the energy of the scene?•If nothing changes, the scene is static; what is its purpose then?

Scenes: Time Limitations•Pressure from time can make a stronger scene▫The boss is coming▫The rent is due▫You’re late getting home

•As the writer, be conscious of the time used in the scene—when it begins, and when it ends

Scene: Space Limitations•Have a specific location with boundaries

•Imagine the setting in detail before you write

•At some point, introduce the reader to this concrete world

Try It

In a story you have read (consider a memoir excerpt):

•Outline the beats in the sequence

•Identify 2-3 bits used and state their purpose.