(18/4/16)

Hello everyone!

Today, I'll be talking about the Three Act Structure, and how it can help you outline, guide and improve your story, that's if you're not a Pantster! :P

Obviously, there will be three separate sections to this idea: Act One, Act Two and Act Three.

Act One: Setup
(Stasis and Trigger)

This part is the beginning of your story. It's like the pilot of a TV show - we are introduced to the protagonist, the other characters, and the main conflict. If you've seen Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, then Act One is basically half of that entire movie.

Jokes aside, this part is vital to the story. The readers get a first impression of the characters, test out your chapters to see if they'd enjoy the entire book, and learns about the world you have created.

Due to this, never start with a boring chapter. Open up with a hook, like a tense battle scene, a heated argument, or an eerie ghost haunting.

Also, and I mean this, never, never, NEVER start with your protagonist waking up, getting dressed, going to school, talking to friends and then returning home. This is an immediate turn-off to readers, not unique or original, and mind-numbingly boring.

Basically, the toughest part about Act One is to keep the reader interested. Make sure you have already developed your characters in your head, introduced the conflict and leave an impactful ending to each chapter that makes the reader want to continue on!

Act Two: Confrontation
(The quest, Surprise and Critical choice)

This is the most important part of your book. It is vital to the plot, and must be handled carefully!

The complication is pertaining to the conflict that was already introduced in Act One. The reason it's more complicated is because, at this point in the story, the conflict has become more dangerous, more difficult, or more terrifying. A great way to make an impact with this is to keep in the back-drop of the story, and then BAM - surprise readers.

Your heroes must be trying to solve this much bigger and dangerous issue because, at this point, your antagonist(s) must be moving! No more hiding in the shadows for them - they are out, about, and messing everything up.

The way to end Act Two is with the destruction of the hero's original plan. This can be in the form of a character death, a revealed secret or the failure of a mission. They have to hit rock bottom by the end of Act Two. Basically, you have to let your inner George R.R. Martin come out.

Act Three: The Resolution
(Climax, Reversal and Resolution)

As the title suggests, this is the resolution of the problem. Although your protagonist is destroyed, either physically or mentally, they carry on to stop the antagonist(s). You can either end the story on a high note with the protagonist beating his adversaries, or have him die.

Now, this kind of Three Act Structure isn't restrictive. You can always alter it, change it, break it. Do what you wish with it. Not all stories and characters fit into this mold, but if you are struggling to outline your story or fill in parts of it, this can help! However, Act Two is a must. If your protagonist has it way too easy, and their initial problem is not as dangerous as he or she believes, there is no pull to the reader. Nobody likes a story where the hero succeeds easily.

Act One is roughly the first 25% of the novel, Middles make up roughly 50% of a novel while Act 3 is the ending is the last 25% of the novel.

Anyways, I hope this is helpful! Let me know if you think it is or any other thoughts you have on it!

~ Lexie