3 Act Story Structure for Authors | Story Structure Basics for Novelists

[@AlexaDonne]

TIMESTAMPS! 03:42 Act 1 Overview 04:21 Act 2 Overview 05:34 Reversals & Pinch Points 07:39 Act 3 Overview 09:43 Following a Story Curve 10:21 Other Plotting Methods 13:10 4 & 5 Act Structure 15:36 Plot Beats for Plotters vs. Pantsers 17:43 Key Plot Beats in Act 1 18:35 Key Plot Beats in Act 2 20:31 Key Plot Beats in Act 3 21:45 Save The Cat Writes A Novel Beats

[@rajulshah2280]

L

[@PS4Pat]

#AlexaDonne if I wanted to have my story be a musical, of sorts, how would I go about doing that? Like what should it look like on a page? note: Not really an actual musical, but rather just a story with songs in it. Kinda like the DreamWorks movie Trolls, if you've seen it, or Pixar's Coco. The characters themselves sing the songs, but don't necessarily move the plot along.

[@wyattstevens8574]

Here's one way of describing 3-act: (Abbie Emmons) Act 1 (setup) Scene 1: hook (intro to *inner* conflict) "What is happiness/contentment for the protagonist, and how is the protagonist's fear stopping them from going after it?" Scene 2: inciting incident (protagonist is pushed outside of the comfort zone; this really gets the story moving) Conflict surfaces that later the protagonist will need to face head-on. If you can answer the question of "why does this matter to the character" and let them react normally, running for cover out of fear, you nailed this scene! Ask again, "Why does this matter to the protagonist, and how is the protagonist pushed outside of the comfort zone?" Scene 3: Buildup (facing the consequences) The protagonist, as stated, will need to face the conflict from scene 2 head-on. Here, the reader will be able to see what internal conflict there is, and how this scenario will be so hard. "In the wake of scene 2, what will the resulting internal conflict be?" Scene 4: plot point 1 Now the protagonist is torn between desire/goal (the "true happiness" discussed in scene 1) and fear, so when scene 2 comes along, fear takes over in scene 3 and the protagonist just ends up accidentally setting obstacles for the rest of the book! "Given the protagonist's fear and misconception, how do they react? How will they minimize pain but head toward the goal while dodging fear?" Scene 5: pinch point 1 (Abbie put the pinch points at the ends of acts 1 and 2) Even if you don't have a villain proper, there just has to be an opposing force (as little as just the misconception) that'll come back to haunt the protagonist, especially come act 3. "What is this force, and how can you show it looming?" Act 2: Scene 1: pre-midpoint reaction Thanks to act 1 scene 4, the protagonist at least partially has a plan (whether running toward or away from something, the motivation hasn't changed). "How will the protagonist execute the plan? Even if they don't know every step, what is it?" ... And so on.

[@gabbygamez4562]

You know what's funny? I learned so much more about writing and publishing from AuthorTube than in University Creative Writing workshops I PAID for. Alexa, you are a godsend.

[@KellyAnotherAdventure]

So true! I ended up using Save The Cat for planning my assignments for my course as I didn't find the supplied info that useful.

[@zhadebarnet3773]

Me

[@wismeiry31]

I agree. School is useless!

[@Becky-ys4xc]

One way Snyder described the three acts broken down that really made it click for me was looking at the three acts as Thesis, Antithesis and Synthesis. In case anyone out there finds it helpful, it basically breaks down into: the first act shows what your character believes (their thesis - what their regular life is like). The second act forces them into the opposite of that belief (the antithesis), and they struggle because they haven't learned what they need to know yet to get through it. The third act is the synthesis where they put together who they were at the beginning with what the second act forced them to learn, and by putting it together they're able to tackle the climax and come out successful. (I'm not sure what it was about framing it that way that made it suddenly make sense for me! But if that sounds interesting, Save the Cat is definitely worth a read.)

[@CharlieHorse4363]

This is really helpful for me, thank you!!

[@nira2532]

Thank you so much!

[@domdom4478]

The graduate student in me super thankful right now !

[@erikperhs_]

Omg, that's amazing!

[@nikkinewbie6014]

Yeah. That hits. Thank you!

[@ajgor8139]

Whoa, you are a life saver! I was just thinking, "man, I needa figure out where the heck my novel is going" and BEHOLD you posted! Thank you!

[@Star-ie8br]

That's such a nice comment :D

[@xTwitterpated]

Been wanting to learn more about the 3 act structure so this is perfect!

[@homedragon6528]

I cannot express how glad I am this channel exists ohmygod

[@obsidianstang6296]

Of all the KZbinrs discussing novel writing theory and practice, Alexa is the best. Consistently solid, actionable content. As proof, I learned almost nothing from this video. You know why? Because her other videos were so good that I learned it all already and my novel finishes this week. Thanks again, Alexa!

[@TheEccentricRaven]

Save the Cat saved my outling, especially the middle. I got so confused when other writers talked about the "pre-midpoint, midpoint, and post-midpoint". It made so much more sense when Save the Cat described it as "fun and games". Now writing my middles are a lot easier. I wish I found it sooner!

[@paulcummins6780]

I just love the way you explain things. This is such a great video with lots of material. Thank you very much!

[@wickedwonderland9831]

Finally someone explained it in a very coherent matter! You always cut straight to the chase, Alexa, thank you!

[@maximielos]

Omg, 4 act structure is exactly what I need!

[@megan9627]

the reactive/proactive comparison really gave me some clarity. I was so worried my character was passive but it's just that there's stuff happening in the first half, they are making choices reacting to those things though.

[@j.rileyindependentproductions]

With most of my non-journalism writing background in hour-long, episodic, television (training not success); I happen to lean more toward the Five Act structure in both my novel and stageplay writing. Script --> Novel Teaser --> (Act I) Act I --> (Act II) Act II --> (ACT III) ACT III --> (ACT IV) TAG --> (ACT V) So, imagine my surprise when you actually acknowledged its existance! So many book-tube folks completely ignore it! Thank you so much for touching on it, even if it's not what you use. It makes me as an author feel far less alone.

[@DianaIsabel929]

This was so helpful because I realized how I'm already doing this! And I learned what a pantser is. I'm a hybrid writer I think. Some pantsing, some outlining. And the word pantsing makes me feel like a bully in the school yard.

[@kelseyknowles7971]

This is so helpful! Would you make a video at some point about creating a negative character arc? Love your content!

[@CharlieHorse4363]

Omg yes I would love a video on this!!

[@rebeccatrusty7003]

Ooh yesssss!

[@TFrills]

I've been using an 8 act structure for the overall arc of my series. Maybe I'll use the 3 act structure for each individual book. Thanks for helping me think of this!

[@katherine1304]

Oh my goodness this is just what I need right now ♥️ I’m mind boggled

[@wrigleyextra11]

How is this information and channel free? Absolutely amazing! Indebted to you.

[@GaleMarie]

I agree 💯❣

[@Snarflelocker]

I’ve heard/read abt the 3act structure 100 times and I’m so glad I decided to make it 101. Thank you as always for clarity and depth.

[@KarmaSpaz12]

Just write and decide if acts are needed at all and then jiggle the first draft around to see if anything fits. Break everything up into chunks and attack it from there piece by piece. Complete the second draft, smack it all together and then see if it needs to happen again. Keep realising the ideas and forming the story into a structure.

[@moonyloops]

Hi Alexa! I just wanted to say that, even though I didn’t win NaNo, you helped me learn about writing more than anyone else! Keep making great content!

[@davidmuller9385]

well done. good video explaining story structure. thanks for that

[@beomgyusmcnugget1055]

Abbie Emmons always references this in her vids and I always internally panic bc I don’t know what she means, SO THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME FEEL SMART LOL

[@wickedwonderland9831]

Totally! What I don’t like about her videos on story structure is that she always uses her version of the structure like the end all be all but never goes into detail where she got it from. It also heavily relies on tropes/ common archetypes and most of her advice doesn’t work if you don’t follow it to a letter. Also it’s very internally or character arc focused, so it becomes very hard to utilise once you have multiple POVs or a more external plot. Structure doesn’t seem to be her strong-suit, explaining wise. I like her other videos though.

[@AndromedaMoon888]

@@wickedwonderland9831 imma have to defend my girl abbie here and say she does encourage people to use or not use the 3-act story structure as they want! While she emphasizes the effectiveness of the 3-act story structure (bc it is effective), I definitely don't think she forces it on people.

[@writenowdream3882]

I checked out the 27 plot points.. I think this is what I need! Thanks for sharing the link.

[@juliaborsos1418]

I was listening to your videos while walking my dog in the park today, enjoying them. When you got to "Gorilla 4-act structure" at 13:30 my jaw dropped, I was literally nodding and saying 'yep, yep... yep...' outloud. Maybe not the method to write my book, but definitely the one that helped me broadly understand what I wanted and needed to happen to the world. Thanks for all your amazing videos!

[@tasnim1559]

oh my GOD this video is so freaking timely!!! i literally watched your (super old) video on save the cat yesterday because i was desperately trying to figure out how to use the 3 act structure so this video is perfect!

[@zemptai]

Love your videos. I think the hallmark of greatness is inspiring others, and you’ve touched a lot of people in the community. The 3 act structure is a fantastic tool, but one I find even more useful is Dan Harmon’s story circle. It’s the ability to be used to breakdown an entire story, an act, or even a scene. The beautiful thing is you can choose to skip story beats like the ADAPT phase which will make the COST phase bigger. You can Skip the RETURN and CHANGE to continue around the circle for another go, ect... The fact you can have missing beats and it can still be a compelling story means more opportunity for exploration, however, when you take too many beats away it stops resembling a story.

[@dq4331]

My great terror is that different stories might be best served by different structures. AAAAAARG! ;)

[@ruthrouse]

Thanks for reviewing all the structures. I did manage to use Kat's system as a pantser this year for NaNo by just following the points as I wrote.

[@carterwillis6624]

Just watched your goal setting and word goal video last night, got 5000 words in after work. Feeling good about it. I started at 8 and the lettters just flowed and suddenly it 12, and then 1. Had to call it quits then, but I was feeling the inspiration last night. Thanks!

[@allyji96]

Okay, I've watched so many of your videos at this point, that I should be an amazing writer... and deep down I know I learned so much from you, but I'm still at some kind of emotional and psychological barrier that I can't jump through to write... hope I will soon enough.

[@CharlieHorse4363]

You need to just take a deep breath and jump in! No matter how much head knowledge you have your first writings will be rough, and that's a good thing! You can only learn so much without actually trying to do it. So much learning is also through experience. Don't keep holding yourself back afraid of failure! Embrace failure! Failure is success in progress! - (Albert Einstein) Every writer has a box of shame where their first writings go, but without them their good works would never have been born because the skills they grew writing the bad stories would never have developed. So take a deep breath and GO FOR IT!!! 💟💟💟💟💪💪💪💪🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@amongtheashes20]

I love how thorough and informational your videos are. I’m not very familiar with the denouement beat. I’d love a deeper explanation and examples of that.

[@robotichoneybee]

Before this video i was really sceptical about the 3 act story structure because i felt like other explanations didn't fit my story. You explained it really well and helped me organize my plot!!

[@emmaperle7289]

Great video - thank you!

[@shara-raejansen395]

You are now my favourite KZbinr when it comes to writing a novel :) Thank you for your excellent tips and breakdowns. You are super fun, knowledgeable and interesting! I love your interesting book background too, and the visuals you include. Keep up the good work!

[@skyler.christine]

I was just watching her older video on story structure using Save The Cat last night! Can definitely use this as I go into editing and wrapping up my first draft. Thanks Alexa

[@faabyy21]

I am such a dork for story structure. I’ve built my own mixing 7 and 15 point structure + 3 act but really it’s 4 acts bc i separate act 2a and 2b. I like some of the ideas of save the cat but I don’t love the percentage measurements... lessons from the screenplay and lindsey ellis both have videos on what defines an arc and those were super helpful in understanding why these divisions are important. The structure that works for me: Act 1 Hook Inciting Incident Plot Point 1 Act 2 A Pinch Point 1 Midpoint Act 2 B Pinch point 2 Plot Point 2/Lowest Moment Act 3 Climax Resolution I like having a road map and a path i know I’m following but also enough space in between to play with.

[@stephvandykeozzy]

I did a lot of research about outlines that I found out about the 3 act structure and the others. It's helped me for my books and I'm thinking of doing a video showing how I outline. Alexa, you've inspired me and some other videos from other writers as well.

[@urorazbojnik5678]

The intro is back yaaay

[@leigh-anjohnson]

This cane out just when I needed it. Thank you 😊

[@BuizelCream]

As a recently discovered plantser, this video makes me really see the appeal of outliners in general xD But these tips are extremely useful, especially when avoiding getting lost in the story as I write, yet having plenty of room for discovery writing. Very useful video! =D

[@MargaretPinard]

Ah, Rachael Stephen had a neat approach to the 4-act structure outline, and I liked to consider 🤔She calls it a plot embryo, which feels weird to me, but hey--my hang-up. :P

[@thisboyzopinionz]

Wow by far you have been the most helpful out of everyone THANKYOU ALEXA

[@armoredmike8740]

Dear Alexa Donne. Thank you for making this video. The videos you and your creator collogues made on YT have been a godsend these days. Especially since the creative working classes where almost non existent in my country. In short videos including yours that I'm watching are helping me learn a lot more than things I had back in high school. Anyway keep up the videos and tnx ;)

[@angelicamejares2001]

Hello, there Ms. Alexa! Thank you so much for your video! It really helped me a lot aaahhh! I am currently writing a historical fiction. Thank you so much and God bless uwuu~

[@444NCO]

This video was so useful! Thank you for everything!

[@tiannna]

i love your videos !! please dont stop posting~~

[@darozzi9652]

How did you know? Perfect timing!

[@saiyuriinuzuka6400]

I haven't worked on my story in moooonths. Starting to get back into it and watching ur vids again. I missed u Alexa! 😭 lol

[@nocturnus009]

I think you would enjoy deep diving into Randy Olson’s investigations into ABT, And But Therefore. I am coming to the realization that a lot of these storycraft methods overlap like inter dimensional beings. Like all those faces of the tesseract: when you illuminate a tesseract the shadow cast is a cube. When you illuminate one of these storycraft methods, you pave the yellow brick road. (Saving that to google keep for later... 😱🤯

[@katrintopkin]

I love your videos. I would like you to make examples of different story stuctures and maybe what would happen if one skips a storybeat, how that effect the reader or the story as a hole.

[@platoniczombie]

Do the Hero's journey! I've been working on a story that follows the Hero's journey, and would love to hear what you think about that structure.

[@hazelphoenix203]

Oooh, I'm so excited to see you post a structure video, Alexa! My MSs were so much more powerful once I understood structure a bit more. I love how open you are about choosing a structure that works for the individual writer. I'd love it if you could provide an example of what a novel looks like broken down by structure. Maybe like Pride and Prejudice or even Brightly Burning???

[@AlexaDonne]

Beat sheets actually exist for many popular novels! Save the Cat did The Hunger Games and P&P :) I do plan on using both as examples when I do my reversals/pinch points video!

[@hazelphoenix203]

@@AlexaDonne thank you for the recommendation, the book is on my Christmas reading list now :)

[@AlexaDonne]

@@hazelphoenix203 It's a GREAT book! But you can actually find the plot beat breakdowns of popular books for free on their website! I cross referenced the Hunger Games one for this video :)

[@tonibetzner263]

The best advice I ever learned about act two: someone says the second act is the "promise of the premise" essentially your book summary or where your book gets to the part that made the reader pick up your book initially. Whatever your summary says the book is about, it should start here. So If your book is about a wizard goes to wizard school, this is where he arrives at wizard school

[@tonibetzner263]

lol you covered that. I missed that part.

[@gailasprey7787]

@@tonibetzner263 reacting to your own comment I see. I’m surprised you didn’t like your own comment as well.

[@marymcdermott8622]

Yes! Love love this!

[@kimtait4191]

Love your videos.

[@MargaretPinard]

So helpful!! I was flummoxed early on by Larry what's his name's approach (and demeanor), and have struggled to articulate structure thoughts since...this was great as a forgiving overview 😊😍

[@susanbutler1234]

Your videos are super helpful! I have learned a ton. Not sure if you have covered this, but I would like to know more about mass market vs standard paperbacks/hard covers. Should I avoid querying agents who list a lot of mass market paperbacks on their websites?

[@trixiewalker6159]

Love your videos ❤️

[@JonathanSanchez-kk1lr]

My Mc is an unwilling protagonist, or is forced into the plot (a big war) by outside forces. So where would the "decision to go on the journey" come in? Does it even count in my story? Or would it just not be interesting?

[@AlexaDonne]

I mean I think a choice that the MC doesn't actually WANT to make is more compelling? Realistically the choice is never really a choice b/c if it doesn't happen, the story stops. Katniss in THG is an unwilling protagonist, essentially, but still has agency (and of course she's given a VERY good reason to volunteer).

[@JonathanSanchez-kk1lr]

@@AlexaDonne looks like I'm going to have to watch some vids about agency lol thx

[@Cineviews]

Hey Alexa! Happy New Year. You know what I never get about this concept of "comfort zone" in act 1? Distopias. I mean, in a distopia, is demonstrating how shitty that world is... the "comfort zone"? Thanks, and keep up the great work.

[@awesomelyizzy]

What do you think of works that start ‘in media res’? Do you feel like they’re missing that essential first beat?

[@ArabellaKFederico]

IMO this is how you write novels. I know a lot of pantsers don't like to follow these structured methods but there's a ton of room for creativity within it. It works, especially if you wanna write commercially.

[@tsukkiswisscheese5023]

my story structure starts w/ one of the highest point for a little bit (without spoiling) and go back to th very bottom like that scene never happened (but it still lingers) then there'd be a little ups and downs and everytime those ups and downs happens, it's actually gradually rising (even tho it's going down, but the momentum is there) until it reaches the climax from the buildip and then the falling and stuff till finale. For me it's good but idk abt the pthers tbh, is this common?

[@bergfridskaaradias2071]

Interesting to divide it 30-40-30 percent for the 3-act structure. I've thought of act 2 as 2a and 2b, and thus a 25-50-25 percent for the acts ... and act 2 felt too big.

[@CharlieHorse4363]

Can you make one on the dark night of the soul please? Thank you for all of your videos!!💟💪🔥

[@constancegoldwing5867]

What about for series writers? Do you use the 3 Act structure for each book?

[@metro6567]

What is this 'day de mar' (apologies for spelling) plot point Alexa mentions at several points in the video? The captions didn't pick up the spelling for what she says

[@AlexaDonne]

Possibly you mean the denouement? It's a tricky one since it's French :) It's the moment in the story where everything is explained or resolved. I call it the breathing moment b/c typically in a thriller this comes after the climax, when the reader gets an explanation for any loose ends.

[@metro6567]

@@AlexaDonne Yes, that is it, thank you! US accents on French words was throwing this Brit for a loop. I've googled so many variations of what I thought you said and, understandably, found nothing.

[@MrExtra-ny2ns]

I didn’t even know there was a 3 act structure just seen my fav authors doing it so I did the same 😂 Edit: never mind I was thinking of something different 😂

[@Диана-я5э1к]

now i can have my lunch, thank you

[@Filbackground]

Can i switch the reactive proactive

[@thatsnotmyname9647]

I'm a pantser and my biggest problem is that I look at structure and while I feel like I understand it on an intellectual level, I get stuck when I try to apply it to my own writing. I get all turned around trying to figure out whether this part is that beat, or maybe another one and trying to figure out exactly what I've written. I read it and it reads as a recognisable novel structure, but because I struggle so much to identify stucture, I lose all confidence in the piece, sometimes to the extent where I've dropped the entire project. Do you have any tips for this sort of issue, or do I really just need to keep looking at different structure plans and try to figure it out?

[@hiplessboy]

Another great structure I'd found is the unfortunately named The Virgin's Promise, a book by Kim Hudson. She's a jungian story theorist who didn't find the typical hero's journey worked for women. Hero's Journey is more based on myths, and the VP is based more on Fairy Tales. When I read it I found it a revelation, because while it's also a journey out of one's comfort zones into a new world, very specific nuances are angled differently. There's a difference in emphasis in terms of what's important, community, costume. That sort of thing. After I read it, I understood why a movie like Frozen became a monster hit - becuse its story follows TVP structure closely. But it also shows why a movie like Dead Poets Society works. It's not just a structure for girls, but for anyone who is living a constrained existence, who sees the hope for a different one, but one which their community won't abide. Anyways, you can see all the stages laid out in this blog: diymfa.com/writing/virgins-promise-part-one

[@SennaCrow]

Why does no one ever mention Writing 21st Century Fiction, by Donald Maas? That books is amazing. Better and more thorough than literally any other book I have crossed on writing.

[@elenalechuga3656]

my 1rst part is a little bit longer than the 2nd... Is that a mistake? I just needed 10 more pages to expand on the world-building

[@desmanostrikes5644]

What about episodic story telling were every chapter is a self contained story that only minimally adds the over all plot

[@mischarowe]

Is that outro new? I haven't been here in a while. Sorry. :(

[@JoninPrime]

Are you related to Jeremy from The Quartering?

[@tb11212]

I just watched your video from a year ago on transparency and oversharing. It was really interesting! Have any of your opinions changed in light of the BLM movement and #PublishingPaidMe?

[@jameschristopher5601]

What are you saying with 3 act story structure? I have heard this way but I have to disagree with you with this. I tried to use your explanation of 3 act structure with my book but it sucked. There is another youtuber that uses the 3 act story structure in a different way that changes my view on writing. Check Abbie Emmons 3 act structure with her character profiles. I think Abbie Emmons writing videos is the best because she taught me characters arcs. Act I: Beginning Hook: Desire vs fear starts it off Inciting Incident: Character is pushed outside of their comfort zone Facing Conquences: Character faces the inciting incident Decision is Made: Character makes a decision to move forward Shadow Force: Something enters and returns later Act II: Middle Fear-Base Goal: Character comes up with a plan Plot Twist: Something surprises the character Different Angle: Character comes up with a different plan Return of Shadow Force: Something gets closer to the character Act III: End Thinks Won: Character thinks they have overcomes misbelief Everything Goes Wrong: Greatest Fear and Misbelief rises from character Darkness Moment: Character at their bottom Renewed Hope: Character finds hope with the help of other characters Greatest Challenge: Character faces the greatest challenge Character Overcomes: Character wins over personal victory Wrapping Up Loose Ends: Everything wraps up

[@AlexaDonne]

I am so glad someone else's method worked for you; I don't feel the need to seek out other information given I've already written several successful novels using the methods that work for me, but it's great that KZbin has a wealth of information so everyone can find what works for them.

[@jameschristopher5601]

So, your saying your not going to try Abbie Emmons method out because you are successful by getting publishing your books? I don't get it because I thought all people wants to improve and learn. That's why we read to understand each other as creators? I'm just saying give Abbie Emmons a chance. I tried other methods writing a story that could help me with my writing but none of them really helped me at all until Abbie Emmons. @@AlexaDonne

[@AlexaDonne]

@@jameschristopher5601 I have a process that works for me and as I'm not an outliner, I'm not interested in rigidly defined plotting/structural methods. If you watched the video, you know I follow Save the Cat primarily, and am happy with that method. I also said multiple times in the video that different things work for different people, and whatever "clicks" for you is great! Whatever successfully gets you to an end product that works is good.

[@jameschristopher5601]

@@AlexaDonne You don't want to improve yourself? The strange thing is in Abbie Emmons Method is like save the cat method + Abbie Emmons method isn't really rigidly defined, the author writes their plot is rigidly define by their characters. To be honest I don't do her character profiles like Abbie Emmons does. Here how I use Abbie Emmons Character Profile Character's Fear: ? Character's Misbelief: ? Character's Theme: ?

[@AlexaDonne]

@@jameschristopher5601 I improve myself all the time primarily via my work with professional editors :) If you can't accept my very open-minded idea that everyone finds what they consider useful and we can all co-exist happily together without being judgemental or prescriptive, then I don't know what else to say? Genuinely happy for you. I'm good over here.

[@elienshadeslayer]

Idk if I'm stupid or my brain just doesn't work but I didn't understand half of this video and got more annoyed at myself than learning something

[@Cosbification]

17 minutes to get to the point of the video! Its not just books that need editing.

[@AlexaDonne]

Go to some other channel for brevity if that's your preference. They exist. Meanwhile, plenty of people enjoy the thousands of hours of LITERALLY FREE educational content. Long form works for some people. YMMV.

[@astridegtvedt9751]

Americans pronounce denouement like day-new-ma