Post by TIA Promotions on Jun 17, 2022 10:21:31 GMT -5
The One Page Novel Spreadsheet (in excel format)
original author found here: ladywritersleague.com
The Formula for Writing a Novel/Long Term Story Arc
They are numbered in the order that you should write/outline them.
2. STASIS The character or their world is in a state of stagnation.
A scene that shows how [NAME] lacks [WANT/GOAL/NEED].
A scene that shows how [NAME] is [STASIS STATE].
A scene that shows how [NAME]’s world is [STASIS STATE].
4. TRIGGER Something happens, or the character does something to set the story in motion.
A scene in which [NAME] tries to convince someone that their [WANT/GOAL/NEED] is important and urgent.
A scene in which a stranger comes looking for [NAME] because of their [OCCUPATION].
A scene in which a stranger comes looking for [NAME] to settle an old score (which might relate to an [OBSTACLE]).
A scene in which a stranger comes looking for [NAME] to help them gain/achieve their [WANT/GOAL/NEED].
5. QUEST The character or one of their allies has a plan. For better or worse, they decide to follow it.
[NAME] meets/is introduced to and gets to know [NAME] and [NAME] (or an [OCCUPATION].
[NAME] travels to a new [LOCATION].
"[NAME] successfully passes a threshold guardian to enter new [LOCATION].
"[NAME] makes a plan, or has a plan thrust on them. They’re not entirely convinced but it’s the best plan they’ve got.
The plan is put into effect but is either only partially successful or fails completely.
7. BOLT The plan falls victim to a surprise attack, a set-back, or a diversion.
An attack takes [NAME] and their friends by surprise. They retaliate to the best of their abilities.
A scene in which [NAME] is tempted by someone or something and forgets their [WANT/NEED/GOAL].
A scene in which [NAME] doubts the true worth of their [WANT/GOAL/NEED] or of their quest.
A scene in which [NAME] deals with a detour that may or may not be directly related to their quest.
3. SHIFT The character undergoes the essential change that begins to transform them into their end state.
A scene which gives [NAME] a glimpse of the [RESOLUTION STATE] and how to achieve it.
A scene in which the character understands the true nature of the [LOSS/SACRIFICE] or its necessity to achieving their [WANT/GOAL/NEED].
A scene in which [NAME] makes the choice to continue with the Quest, despite past and present [OBSTACLE] and future [LOSS/SACRIFICE].
8. DEFEAT The jaws of defeat. All hope is lost. Allies fall and the quest now seems impossible.
[NAME] makes the [LOSS/SACRIFICE].
[OBSTACLE] piles upon [OBSTACLE].
[NAME] and allies are faced with the greatest [OBSTACLE] yet.
The quest seems impossible as all allies are captured or lost.
[NAME] undergoes literal or symbolic death.
6. POWER The character finds the power within themselves to change and complete the quest.
A scene in which [NAME] realises that a piece of information, a skill or a power they have within themselves (and have had all along) allows them to achieve their [WANT/GOAL/NEED] or defeat their enemy.
A scene in which [NAME] fulfils a prophecy, fate, or the expectations of their loved ones.
[NAME] takes on a new name, epithet or rank.
[NAME] gains new admirers, followers or friends who are drawn to their power.
1. RESOLUTION The character has reached their new state, which is the opposite of their Stasis state.
A scene that shows how [NAME] has gained/accomplished [WANT/GOAL/NEED].
A scene that shows how [NAME] is [RESOLUTION STATE].
[NAME] celebrates victory with [NAME]. They remember the allies they lost.
[NAME] inhabits [LOCATION] that is representative of the new world.
original author found here: ladywritersleague.com
The Formula for Writing a Novel/Long Term Story Arc
They are numbered in the order that you should write/outline them.
2. STASIS The character or their world is in a state of stagnation.
A scene that shows how [NAME] lacks [WANT/GOAL/NEED].
A scene that shows how [NAME] is [STASIS STATE].
A scene that shows how [NAME]’s world is [STASIS STATE].
4. TRIGGER Something happens, or the character does something to set the story in motion.
A scene in which [NAME] tries to convince someone that their [WANT/GOAL/NEED] is important and urgent.
A scene in which a stranger comes looking for [NAME] because of their [OCCUPATION].
A scene in which a stranger comes looking for [NAME] to settle an old score (which might relate to an [OBSTACLE]).
A scene in which a stranger comes looking for [NAME] to help them gain/achieve their [WANT/GOAL/NEED].
5. QUEST The character or one of their allies has a plan. For better or worse, they decide to follow it.
[NAME] meets/is introduced to and gets to know [NAME] and [NAME] (or an [OCCUPATION].
[NAME] travels to a new [LOCATION].
"[NAME] successfully passes a threshold guardian to enter new [LOCATION].
"[NAME] makes a plan, or has a plan thrust on them. They’re not entirely convinced but it’s the best plan they’ve got.
The plan is put into effect but is either only partially successful or fails completely.
7. BOLT The plan falls victim to a surprise attack, a set-back, or a diversion.
An attack takes [NAME] and their friends by surprise. They retaliate to the best of their abilities.
A scene in which [NAME] is tempted by someone or something and forgets their [WANT/NEED/GOAL].
A scene in which [NAME] doubts the true worth of their [WANT/GOAL/NEED] or of their quest.
A scene in which [NAME] deals with a detour that may or may not be directly related to their quest.
3. SHIFT The character undergoes the essential change that begins to transform them into their end state.
A scene which gives [NAME] a glimpse of the [RESOLUTION STATE] and how to achieve it.
A scene in which the character understands the true nature of the [LOSS/SACRIFICE] or its necessity to achieving their [WANT/GOAL/NEED].
A scene in which [NAME] makes the choice to continue with the Quest, despite past and present [OBSTACLE] and future [LOSS/SACRIFICE].
8. DEFEAT The jaws of defeat. All hope is lost. Allies fall and the quest now seems impossible.
[NAME] makes the [LOSS/SACRIFICE].
[OBSTACLE] piles upon [OBSTACLE].
[NAME] and allies are faced with the greatest [OBSTACLE] yet.
The quest seems impossible as all allies are captured or lost.
[NAME] undergoes literal or symbolic death.
6. POWER The character finds the power within themselves to change and complete the quest.
A scene in which [NAME] realises that a piece of information, a skill or a power they have within themselves (and have had all along) allows them to achieve their [WANT/GOAL/NEED] or defeat their enemy.
A scene in which [NAME] fulfils a prophecy, fate, or the expectations of their loved ones.
[NAME] takes on a new name, epithet or rank.
[NAME] gains new admirers, followers or friends who are drawn to their power.
1. RESOLUTION The character has reached their new state, which is the opposite of their Stasis state.
A scene that shows how [NAME] has gained/accomplished [WANT/GOAL/NEED].
A scene that shows how [NAME] is [RESOLUTION STATE].
[NAME] celebrates victory with [NAME]. They remember the allies they lost.
[NAME] inhabits [LOCATION] that is representative of the new world.