01 April 2008

Key:
MC :: main character/protagonist
FS :: foreshadowing
BS :: backstory (narrative past)
FB :: flackback (direct cut to past)
character(s) :: characters as a group
antagonist(s) :: bad guys, but not as bad or life-threatening as the BBV
BBV :: big bad villain - the ultimate bad guy

1. Introduction – action

-meet the MC

-short term FS of a significant secondary character (if applicable)

-first impressions of static and types characters in book

2. Plot Introduction – long

-story world introduction (if fantasy/sci-fi)

-meet another character (opt.)

-short FB

-action sequence; FB; more action

-cliffhanger ending

3. Character Introduction – long

-meet another character (opt.)

-introduce subplot 1 (to add tension)

-BS introduction between characters

-introduce subplot 2 (romance, jealousy, etc.: something to add tension between characters)

-action sequence, solve a puzzle

-cliffhanger about main plot and antagonist(s)

-introduce antagonists (if applicable/omniscient viewpoint)

4. Up the Ante

-current goals are thwarted

-mission is readjusted around something else

-death of extremely minor character by antagonist(s) (if applicable/action story) to begin to reveal the capacity of the antagonist(s)

-action sequence, defeat, leading to a stronger resolve to win

-FB, FS

-BS of new adjusted goals

5. The Rain Before the Sunshine

-enter into enemy territory/new tense situation

-introduce new subplot 3 (to build up the main plot)

-meet another character (opt.)

-character(s) reflect on situation; experience temporary defeat

-twist of events, action sequence, character(s) begin to complain

-main plot adjusted for a bigger, badder threat/villain

6. Calm, Resolutions and Changes

-temporary calm, exploration, getting to know the world/characters better

-long FB + BS

-main plans adjusted with new information from FB/BS and set in stone, character(s) continue on (now more personal) journey

-new bigger badder villain (BBV)’s capacity shown (only a small portion for now)

-MC begins questioning himself and goals

-new hints/info about BBV

-change of events for the antagonist(s) (could be comic relief here)

7. Entertainment, then Fear

-really bad things happen – BBV’s capacity for evil is expanded upon

-more questions raised, some answered to move plot/journey

-info fulfilled for subplot 3 (but not completed)

-temporary relief/comic relief and relaxation for character(s)

-meet another character (opt.)

-bad fortune/turn of events for character(s)

8. Character Development

-short subplot about MC or secondary character

-quick action (escape, etc.)

-introduce new subplot 4 (for character development)

-travel, new places

-new info for main plot, new world info (for fantasy/sci-fi)

-meet new character (opt.)

9. Information Section

-slow movement, explanation/in-depth analysis of world/situation/history by outside source

-secondary character(s) goals/justification for goals are adjusted

-character development

10. Short and Tearful Action

-action/events that draw upon the reader’s emotional well

-character development

11. Questions and Meeting the Villain

-surprises of past surface, character(s) reach some sort of emotional dead-end

-new information obtained for main plot and/or BBV

-meet new character (opt.)

-new BS/FS

-meet the BBV face to face (if haven’t already) that lead to new realizations for MC

-new questions about the BBV

12. Antagonist(s) Development

-meet new character (opt.)

-new info for subplot(s)/antagonist(s)

-confrontation with antagonist(s)

-disaster/crash lead to new beginnings/fresh start/goal adjustment

-new info for main plot/key items obtained

-new info for BBV which raise the stakes

13. Betrayal

-reminiscing, character development

-romance scene

-character(s) betrays friends/morals (leads to remorse and/or forgiveness?)

-reach enlightening place/situation

-BBV endangers character(s)

-discovery of BBV’s full intent/plot

14. Revelations

-BBV raises the stakes for character(s)

-BBV defeats character(s), gets away and the chase resumes

-MC goes through breakdown (possibly from betrayal) and betrays friends again (emotional, physically, etc.)

15. Separation and Tragedy

-secondary character(s) forgive MC but MC cannot forgive himself

-a love interest goes sour, MC/character pursues lost love interest

-love interest is no more

-character(s) undergo horrible tragedy (illness, death, etc.) because of BBV/antagonist(s)

16. Vengeful Thoughts

-MC’s resolve is stronger (revenge)

-new BS/insight to subplot(s) and antagonist(s)

-subplot action and some comic relief

-new info for history/world (for fantasy/sci-fi) and/or FS

-new obstacles of main plot

-subplot(s) look bleak for character(s)

-antagonist(s) and/or BBV advance/move forward with plans

17. Failure

-meet the BBV again and manipulates the MC

-MC begins to “accept” his flaws

-BBV gets personal with other character(s), can show human quality traits but has to retain evil traits

18. Turn of Events

-bigger problems/obstacles arise for main plot

-MC gives up on self and succumbs to the BBV/antagonist(s)

-secondary character(s) development/teamwork

-character(s) overtaken by antagonist(s)

19. Bleak

-character(s) almost dies, saved by twist of events (inadvertent, luck, FS)

-action sequence

-character(s) bummed out about MC’s surrender

-MC not really present/has retracted into himself and his low self-esteem/self-worth

-character(s) want to save/help MC

20. Searching

-amazing stroke of luck/turn of events/etc. for character(s)

-situation worsens for larger audience/world

-subplot(s) advance

-character(s) arrive at a dead-end

21. Changes

-spy/once-bad character helps them

-new info leads to new drive against antagonist(s)

-new temporary subplot (give other character(s) something to do without MC)

-subplot(s) advance/shift/merge into main plot

-character development without MC

-action sequence

-romance subplot advances (opt.)

22. Unraveling and Discovery of Self

-MC discovers himself with help from other character(s); figures out the past

-resolution is rethought and made solid

-reunion with other character(s) (apologies, need trust, taken for granted, etc.)

23. Doubt, Moving On

-need to finish temporary subplot, now with MC, to stop antagonist(s)

-action sequence

-new info for main plot, show full capacity of antagonist(s)/BBV

-new exciting experiences for character(s)

-plans fail again because of lack of info/antagonist(s) change goals, need to rethink goals

-subplot solved

-character(s) second-guess their goals and doubt themselves and their strength

-character(s) rejuvenate themselves with nature/friends/family/etc.

-character(s) find their reasons to continue their goals and discover the key to defeating the bad guy, focus on BBV

-BS shared, memories of loved one(s)

-need outside source to help goal/find key/lockbox

24. Sources

-info is attained, keys used and new info is unlocked

-antagonist(s) interrupt, complicate things and provide temporary distraction against BBV

-twist of events: antagonist(s) and character(s) share same bad guy: BBV

25. The Beginning of the End

-subplot resolved

-eliminate an antagonist

-stakes are raised

-new info attained about BBV (insert last-minute sympathy/second-guessing about BBV?)

-subplot resolved

-antagonist(s) taken care of/eliminated

-stakes are raised and the clock begins to tick

-character(s) refresh themselves one last time before climax

26. Final Moments

-MC’s romance subplot fulfilled (opt.)

-character(s) connect, final pieces put together

-action (climax) begins

-climax

-MC victorious over BBV, now MC’s life is in danger

27. Resolutions

-MC is saved from death

-character(s) watch the result of their actions (doesn’t seem hopeful, then things turn for the better, but not without consequences for all)

Or, the character could be un-victorious and lose out to his lack of faith/self-destructive ways. Depends on what kind of effect you want to get.

by the way, can you figure out where I stole this story model from?? Probably one of the greatest story ever told.