In the last few blogs, we’ve discussed step-by-step processes to flesh out a fiction novel from beginning to end. First, we’ve discussed the Storybrand approach to writing, brainstorming, and gathering all the assets you want to include in the book. Then, we discussed the 14 steps of your hero’s journey through the story.

In this blog, we’re discussing editing your fiction work.

You begin by thinking like a movie editor and how you would rearrange the scenes to tell the story better. Stories can be told in the order in which they happened or in the order in which they are told.

If you take a close look at some of the greatest stories of all time, you can spot a number of similarities in the way they are built - this is called structure. The three-act structure can be traced back all the way to Aristotle as one of the five elements of tragedy, and it is one of the most popular techniques to plot a story.

Aristotle believed that every story should be a chain of cause-effect reactions and that each act should send the narrative in a different direction and build up towards that big change in between acts. That is why the three-act structure can be really useful when building your story.

Here is what the Three-Act Structure looks like:

Act 1: The Set-Up.
Act 2: The Rising Action or Confrontation.
Act 3: The Conclusion or Resolution.

Now, let’s dive deeper into each act. 

Act 1. The Setup:

This is where you’ll first catch your reader’s attention. It’s basically built on an introduction, an inciting incident, and plot point one. Think of it exactly as setting up your stage. Introduce your main characters and their desires, flaws, talents, and challenges that are currently facing or that are preventing them from getting what they want in life. This is also where you set the surroundings and scenarios and you introduce your readers to the main conflict through an inciting incident where your character’s life changes forever or they are pushed outside their comfort zone. Then, introduce what your character or characters are going to do with that situation. This is the plot point one and it’s the story that will push your character into the next act or part of the story. 

Here are a couple of questions that can help you build your first act: 

1. Who is your protagonist? Who are the secondary characters? 

2. What does their everyday life look like? Where do they live? How are they related? 

3. What do they want? What is important to them in life? 

4. What are their fears, talents, strongest qualities, and flaws? 

5. How is your main character struggling with their life? What is preventing them from achieving it? 

6. What is your main character’s goal? What would it take for them to achieve it?

7. Will your character answer that call of adventure or resist it? 

8. What’s at stake if they fail? 

Act 2. The Raising Action: 

This is the part where your character starts the adventure towards achieving that goal or overcoming their problem and where the BIG TWIST comes in. During this act, it’s important to maintain your readers attention through lots of subplots and turns that keep them turning page after page cheering for the protagonist to accomplish his or her dream. There have to be roadblocks, missions-gone-wrong and challenges along the way that stop your character from quick success as new settings and characters start presenting along the way. After that big crisis, the plot point two comes in to play, this is where your protagonist will make a big decision or action to face the challenges ahead and go big or go home. This plot twist is the one that will create a chain of events into the next act, our grand finale. 

Here are some questions that can help you build your confrontation: 

1. Who are the rest of the characters? Are they friends or enemies? What is their relationship with your main character? 

2. Where does your character go now? How would you describe these new surroundings and scenarios? Why are they important for your hero’s journey?  

3. What would threaten your character’s goal? What are the stakes at hand?

4. What obstacles could your character face? Who is the enemy that is making it so difficult to succeed? 

5. What would make your character keep fighting for their goals? Do they have a mentor? What would it take for them to recover and face the current challenges? 

6. Is there a non-obvious solution to the protagonist's pain here? What is going to be the big plot twist or reveal? Who is going to help them? 

Act 3. The Resolution:

This is the big moment your reader has been waiting for. It’s all about leading up to the climax by creating tension, the climax and the conclusion where your reader’s expectations are met, questions are answered and the protagonist achieves whatever he or she has been waiting for - or not… that’s a big plot twist right there. Anyway, you start with the pre-climax where your main character’s flaws and insecurities surface right before the big battle between the protagonist and the antagonist. This is the part where your readers have to doubt for a minute if the mission is going to be successful, that leads to the climax. The climax is the moment the arc of your story peaks and the main characters find a way to win the battle or overcome the biggest obstacle and gets closer to achieving their goals. You’ve got the last pages to give your characters their rewards, tie any loose ends and wrap up your story. 

Keep in mind the following questions before your wrap up your story: 

1. What are your antagonist strengths and weaknesses? How can your main character use those weaknesses to fight him/her? 

2. How is your main character’s emotional arc going to be resolved? 

3. What external goals are going to be solved? What is going to change in the world or in your character's life now that the conflict has been solved? 

4. Does the ending fit your genre? 

5. What emotions do you want your readers to feel? Is there a message in there your readers will keep thinking about once they are done reading your book? 

6. Are there any loose ends throughout the story? 

7. How does your ending reinforce the main central message of your story?

8. Is it appropriate to leave a cliff-hanger for your readers to be excited about a sequel? 

Remember that different genres have different expectations throughout the story, but in the end it’s all about satisfying your readers expectations and emotional arc too. 

Need help with your writing?

Join us for our FREE December workshop “Unlock Your Potential”where we will connect with your creativity and your highest self to let that message inside of you come through the paper or keyboards. 

These workshops are designed for productive writing.

I look forward to seeing you in the Writing Community! If you have any questions, [email protected].