B: What a Story Needs to be Awesome: Definitions

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by ElleLeeLove

Dedicated to Rain_Dancer1

by ElleLeeLove

I am creating a workshop to teach writers how to use the

3 Act Story Structure and a Positive Character Arc

to write their story.

Main Character (MC) – who the story is about; the protagonist.

Character Arc – the transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story. During the story, events happen (plot) which gradually change the character into a better or more complex person. **Something about your MC must change!!!**

3 Types of Character Arcs

1. Positive/ Change Arc – (the hero's journey) the MC changes for the better as a result of his journey

2. Flat/ Steadfast/ Growth Arc – the MC learns something because of his journey

3. Negative/ Fall Arc – (tragedy) the MC changes for the worse as a result of his journey

3 Act Story Structure – the basic beginning (25% of the story), middle (50%), and end (25%) format we are most familiar with in storytelling.

StoryGoal – what your MC wants or needs. **Your MC must have a goal! When the MC achieves the story goal, then the story is over. **

What is your MC's story goal?

Ex. (In Harry Potter, Harry's story goal is to destroy the evil force that killed his parents.)

(In Forever Remember, Jasmine's story goal is to forget about her father's death and be happy.)

(In Divergent, Tris's story goal is to find a place in society where she belongs.)

Conflict – a struggle against opposing forces, things that hinder the MC from achieving her goal

2 Types of Conflict

1. Internal – occurs inside the character, the MC struggles with an important decision, a personality flaw, or a false belief

2. External – occurs outside of the character, the MC struggles with the antagonist, other characters, acts of nature, or the society in which the character lives

False Belief / Lie – is an untruth that the MC has been conditioned to believe is true about herself or the world. It often develops as the result of a painful experience and causes her to react in ways that allow her to avoid the same pain in the future.

Some false beliefs are:

- I am unworthy or incapable of love.

- I can't trust anyone.

- Don't get too attached to anything or anyone, since you will lose them.

What is your MC's false belief?

- Ex. In Divergent, Tris's false belief is "I don't belong."

- In Forever Remember, Jasmine's false belief is "I need Tyler's help to be happy."