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...
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Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water; Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after. Up Jack got and home did trot as fast as he could caper; went to bed to mend his head with vinegar and brown paper. Jill came in and she did grin to see his paper plaster; Mother, vex'd, did whip her next for causing Jack's disaster.
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Universal to both fiction and nonfiction, the Story Arc (or Narrative Arc) refers to the structure, shape and overall layout of a story. This arc is made up of the sequence of events in your plot, the peaks and valleys that set the pace, how it is broken up into chapters and scenes, what events make up the conflict and climax, and what occurs in the final resolution. Basically, your story needs to start somewhere, go somewhere, and end somewhere. We hope this article helps you chart that course.
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Outlining your story arc and how it relates to the plot
When outlining the story arc, you will follow the same basic structure as a plot outline. Plot refers to the specific events (or parts) that make up your story. We talk about these events in the chapter titled Plot Parts in this guide. When outlining a plot, most writers follow a trusted format (or map), such as Freytag's Pyramid, which can be found in the chapter titled Outlining Your Plot...or Not, also found in this guide.
