The TOP 10 Story Structures Used By Successful Writers

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Күн бұрын

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@winkletter Жыл бұрын

I like Libbie Hawker's "Take off your pants" outline that sees the plot as the protagonist's attempt to overcome a fatal flaw. And I'll also put in a vote for kishotenketsu, the four-act structure from Japan and other Asian countries. It proves that you can have a story that isn't centered around conflict. Once you learn about it you'll never see anime the same way again.

@writing-chops Жыл бұрын

Amazing! Thank you for the tips. Sounds like a follow-up Chop is needed in the near future.

@lyingcat9022 19 күн бұрын

Yeah I was going to mention the Kishōtenketsu structure as well. Though I have no firsthand experience in its use.

@williamwest3594 Жыл бұрын

Of the structures you covered, _Story Circle_ is a favorite. But my preferred structure is _Ki Sho Ten Ketsu_ . It's very flexible and amenable to character based stories where conflict may not be the center of the story.

@writing-chops Жыл бұрын

The Story Circle is great! I haven't tried Ki Sho Ten Ketsu yet. But will definitely look into it soon. Thanks for the recommendation 🤜🤛

@williamwest3594 Жыл бұрын

@@writing-chops, it takes some getting used to. I kept misunderstanding and misconstruing how it worked for a good long time before I "got it." But when I did get it, it was pretty eye opening.

@AdonisMediaProductions 9 ай бұрын

this was a super helpful video!

@writing-chops 9 ай бұрын

You're very welcome! Let us know if there are any other topics you'd like us to cover 🙌

@AdonisMediaProductions 9 ай бұрын

Thanks, I will keep that in mind, though lately I have been racking my brain on story structure, hah@@writing-chops

@douglasphillips5870 Жыл бұрын

The snowflake method sounds interesting. I'm good at coming up with the basic idea, but I have trouble fleshing it out.

@writing-chops Жыл бұрын

It's a cool one, right? I'm actually looking to try it out on my next project, too. ❄️

@HaiNguyen-up4nf 23 күн бұрын

After getting the scenes-breakdown from the snowflake, throw them into save the cat structure, then dramatize the event with predicament impossible to win.

@marlinthecreative118 10 ай бұрын

I marry a modified "Save the Car Writes a Novel" with three Shawn Coyne's Content Genres (CG) (Hero/Protagonist has one inner CG and one exterior CG and the B story has a second usually external genre.) These give me the beets STC and the Scenes (Obligatory Scenes for the three CGs). I have been working on producing a video desribing my method. I have been wanting to research the Heroine's Journey as a story structure also. Will soon do this as soon as I finish my most recent draft of my WIP. Good video in assiting people in understanding basic story structures. I wish I has known this years ago when I attempted my first writing. Learnig this has propelled my whole process into a new level.

@writing-chops 10 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for the kind words. Yes, it totally makes sense to blend and mix techniques. This approach sounds very interesting. Hit us up if you make a video on it. I'd love to check it out.

@winterhaydn 3 ай бұрын

Save the cars!

@RestlessRobin 9 ай бұрын

Fabulous video full of fascinating facts and practical advice 👍 thank you for this!

@writing-chops 9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much. Delighted that you enjoyed it!

@johnparnham5945 8 ай бұрын

This is a comprehensive and digestible description of story structure. Seldom have I seen so much in one video. It's everything you need to get to know that subject. Well done.

@writing-chops 8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! Thrilled to hear that you enjoyed it. And yes, that was our mission: To create a clean, clear and simple guide to story structure. Both showing what they have in common, while also detailing the differences 🙌

@Sundji Жыл бұрын

This is amazing stuff. I've done a lot of worldbuilding and I finally feel ready to plot a story in this universe. I already had a core story that I envisioned but, I'm gonna attempt to start from scratch with the premise. I'll plot various stories in this world using each of these methods just to see which one I like the best.

@writing-chops Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Glad it helps. Worldbuilding is great. But don't spend too long at this stage. Aim to develop characters with real wants, needs, and obstacles. Much of the world will come from their journey, rather than trying to squeeze their mission into an already-designed universe. Best of luck! And let us know if there are any future topics you'd like us to cover 😉

@malosprime4910 Жыл бұрын

I've used the heroes journey, the seven point method, three acts and the showflake method. Each was useful, since I want to write more fantastical stories with over-th-top action. Each has its benifts.

@writing-chops Жыл бұрын

Awesome! I love exploring different story structures, too. However, I haven't tried the Snowflake Method. That is definitely on the cards for next year. Hope you enjoyed the video. If you have any requests for future topics, let us know! 🙌

@dontplayformenero Жыл бұрын

Great stuff, very informative!

@writing-chops Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Thrilled that you enjoyed it 🙌

@useeee616 11 ай бұрын

Wow mate. I just... I hate, I hate, I hate.....!!!!! How little.. Well, cmon now, writing isn’t so big anymore. Your channel is just fucking GOLD. Like wow. I wont waste time explaining my dreams. But wow. You really have an eye. Like you been in the industry. Thanks. I really feel like ‘24 is going to be the year............. I start. I’ve committed to Final Draft 12 and Scrivener, been doing concept work and development work since I was 21 so 10 years and have been worldbuilding and passionately learning about the Art of Write since I was 9 so 22 years. I think its time...... to finally test things out in screenplay contests which are one of the most essential ways for new writers in todays age. And my novels are a whooole nother story. Thank you for your work. You deserve millions of views.

@writing-chops 11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much. Sounds like you got a whole TON of passion just waiting to get out... Awesome that you have Final Draft. My only advice now would be to write that first draft. World building and learning is fantastic. But it can also be a distraction to what the real game is: Writing the story. Don't be a perfection. Don't worry if there are more holes in the plot than a piece of cheese. Just get the pages done. Once you have your first draft ready, NOW it's time to revise and fix up everything! Best of luck!

@Lopfff 9 ай бұрын

Video begins at 3:30

@writing-chops 9 ай бұрын

Let's negotiate... How about 1:44❓ 'What all stories have in common' is a pretty sweet segment to kick off the 10, right? 😜

@sandeepreddy970 Жыл бұрын

Good work man... Keep it up..

@writing-chops Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Will do! And if there is any topic that you'd like us to cover in a future Chop, please let us know! 😉

@OladapoBamidele 2 ай бұрын

Great work! Thank you for doing this run through, which turned out to be quite interesting. I am breaking down a number of movies using multiple story structures at the moment, then I stumbled on you. And I found more. I think, there is one more you might want to consider. It is Daniel Calvisi's Story Maps.

@writing-chops Ай бұрын

Thank you so much. Great shoutout with Story Maps. I'll check it out and see if we can make a Chop dedicated to it. Best of luck with your project!

@jameswarren2150 9 ай бұрын

I use the Hero's Journey, the time tested story structure. It has worked for me.

@writing-chops 9 ай бұрын

Fantastic! Tried, tested and weather-resistant! It's fun to subvert and experiment with all types of storytelling. But it is hard to fault the pure satisfaction that this model brings to a narrative. Thanks for watching.

@braydenb1581 10 ай бұрын

I wish when people made videos about story structure they would stay with one film or book because these steps blend together and that confuses some people so sticking to one film would work better

@writing-chops 10 ай бұрын

Totally appreciate that. We have plans to create Chops on individual Story Structure Models in more detail. But this overview was to showcase commonalities and differences across the board. Is there one in particular that you'd like to learn more about?

@moshecallen 11 ай бұрын

1. If the video says it's about the most common story structures, selling people on the idea of story structure should not be what the video is about. It should be about story structures. 2. Story circle etc are not alternate story structures. They are different sets of plot point markers for the same standard linear plot structure. In medias res does qualify, but I think the explanation of it I got in my third grade state school better and more straight forward. It's a loop-like structure that uses the climax as a hook and then jumps back to explain how the story got there.

@americasmansman7363 Ай бұрын

Let’s all be heroes and Make America - you know - tomorrow!

@raydarable 9 ай бұрын

A lot of these feel like the same storyline described differently.

@writing-chops 9 ай бұрын

Yep. That's a central thrust through much of story structure guidance. The Writer's Journey is based on the Hero's Journey. The Story Circle is based on the Writer's Journey. And then there is certain beats that exist across most narrative frameworks. There are subtle differences. But the general principal is to understand the commonalities. From here, you can decide to adopt them, subvert them or ignore them.

@raydarable 9 ай бұрын

@@writing-chops Very insightful, thanks!

@quin073179 2 ай бұрын

are these primarily for science fiction or fantasy?

@writing-chops 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching. These principals can be applied to any genre. The structures described come from stories of all shapes, sizes, genres and years. From Aristotle to Aaron Sorkin ;-)

@KayLifeJourney 10 ай бұрын

I started out doung the save the cat method back in 2019. Loved it. Just recently, in January, I tried out the 3 act method, which was pretty fun, too. Now that I've watched this video, I'll try out the snowflake structure since my ideas come to me as scenes.

@writing-chops 10 ай бұрын

Fantastic! Great work! Yes, I've used a few different story structure methods in the past as well. For my next project, I actually plan on using the Snowflake method tool. It's a clean way to make clear progress, while also staying productive. Let me know how it goes!

@ivanrakk 11 ай бұрын

Dan Harmon for me.

@writing-chops 11 ай бұрын

It's great, isn't it?! So simple, yet effective.

@ComicPower 6 ай бұрын

I did the snowflake method and didnt know i was doing it because i never heard of the theory until i watched this video. 😂

@writing-chops 4 ай бұрын

Great stuff! I've actually used this method recently. It's a really fun way to build a story!

@takecareofyourshoess 10 ай бұрын

Disagree with your premise that you MUST follow an established story structure. The BEST story structures, imo, begin with your own structure, take bits and pieces from others, and after that integrate structural advice that makes sense from others.

@writing-chops 10 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for watching. The premise isn't actually that you HAVE to follow any certain structure (I even included Dean Koontz concept that is quite structureless). I actually agree that you should follow your own structure. As you start developing your story, a framework will emerge. That being said, it is important to understand the types of popular story structures out there. These are concepts that decision-makers look for. These are patterns that audiences understand. For instance, I recently wrote a script where I pretty much chopped the first act off and started at what could be considered the beginning of the second act. It made sense for the story to do so. But I understand that I must be cautious not to lose or confuse my audience. And also, there was important story details that I have to provide throughout the rest of the narrative, now that I had pretty much sacrificed my set-up. But yeah, the idea is that before you can forego the established frameworks, you should first have knowledge of them and why they matter.

@rusticrick999 10 ай бұрын

What is #11?

@writing-chops 10 ай бұрын

You will find out in part 2! 😅 Until then, check out the Tragic Plot Embryo ⭐️

@cesarhernandez-wv8oj 4 ай бұрын

Structuring is not fun for me. I create structure as a write. Writing is how your create structure. Be a pantzer writer is fun and creative, strufcturing is boring and predictable.

@writing-chops 4 ай бұрын

Do you have an idea of the ending before you start writing? Or is that something you figure out in your journey as well?

@gRosh08 11 ай бұрын

Uncle Ry-Ry said he needs a few Tacos...

@InformantNet 9 ай бұрын

Do you realize that these "rules" are literally based on films of the past? That's like an architect designing a building based on other buildings instead of creating his/her own design. This is why modern movies suck - the audience anticipates all of these events. You should never use Harmon's Story Structure.

@writing-chops 9 ай бұрын

😅 Well, the title of the Chop does imply that these were used in films of the past. And I don't believe we call them "rules" at any point. We even highlight that you don't necessarily have to obey them, but you should still have knowledge of them: "So even if you don’t want to embrace it, you damn sure better understand it." So let's say you have a story that doesn't have a conventional structure. A producer or a decision-maker may ask why you decided to leave out the inciting incident or why you skipped the first act. It would be considered best practice to have an answer for this. Hope that helps.

@xenaryst 6 ай бұрын

Don't you find all these pretty the same ?

@writing-chops 4 ай бұрын

There's commonalities, for sure. But that's also the point... And you don't have to follow these beats, but you should understand them.

@xenaryst 4 ай бұрын

@@writing-chops thats what Im trying to do)))) maybe would be great to create different videos for each of them but cover more deep with examples) if it make sence of course)))