Once Upon a Time …
Here’s the most basic structure of a story:
- First, there is a hero who has a desire.
- Our hero encounters an event that throws his life into disarray and interferes with obtaining the desire. This event causes a problem for the hero.
- The hero tries to overcome the problem …
- … but his method fails.
- There is a reversal of fortune, which causes more trouble for the hero.
- An even greater problem is created for the hero that puts the hero at greater risk.
- Finally, there is one last problem that threatens the hero with the most risk of all.
- The hero must resolve the final problem …
- … in order to gain his object of desire. And everyone lives happily ever after. Well, until the sequel anyway.
Remember that no matter what your story is about, a story ALWAYS has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Hollywood has spent many years analyzing and deconstructing the story. Don’t feel that you have to reinvent...