Here we are focused on every step of a writer's journey, from the plot outline to the published novel; including how to use a plot outline, how to craft a story arc, researching literary agents, tips on sensitivity readers, query letter success, an...
There are various methods for outlining a plot. Some use the three act method, some prefer four acts, and some like to keep track with a beat sheet. The following is a list of commonly used outlining methods:
Freytag's Pyramid - German novelist, Gustav Freytag, used a pyramid to put forward the idea that every arc goes through five dramatic stages: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
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Three Acts - As basic as you can get; beginning, middle and end.
Act 1 = Setup (plot part = inciting incident)
Act 2 = Confrontation (plot part = midpoint)
Act 3 = Resolution (plot part = climax)
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Four Acts - The four-act structure is a slightly less typical (but no less efficient) narrative model and is common for screenplays. Using four acts instead of three, the Plot Clock helps to amp up the tension by encouraging the proper number of external events, twists and turns. Most of all, it provides a 'map' for writers lost in that long, sagging middle.
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Beat Sheet - Also used in film making, a story beat refers to a single story event which transforms the character and story at a critical juncture. Think of beats as checkpoints along the way, charting a film or novel's structure and completing the story.
