Outlining Series Lesson Two: Three Act Structure
Exercise
Last time we talked about the importance of outlining. This month we’re going to put it into action.
Below is the sheet I use to structure my novels. I’ve added some details so you can see exactly what I’m talking about. Feel free to create your own and try this exercise—I’ve taken it, as I said above, from writing screenplays and find it the most efficient and easiest process I’ve found. BUT, feel free to modify it to your purposes.
Next month’s lesson: Loglines.
Get Your Book Done Worksheet
Title: The Hunger Games
Logline:
Characters:
Conflicts:
Act One: Katniss in her normal environment, hunting to save her family. Her sister Prim is chosen as Tribute for the Hunger Games.
Inciting Incident: Katniss volunteers to take Prim’s place.
Act Two: Katniss is taken to District One and prepared for the Games. She does her best to stay alive and ends up surviving to the very end with Peeta, promised they would both live. But the President decides there can only be one winner and Katniss has to choose between her own life and Peeta.
Inciting Incident: Katniss chooses to eat the berries
Act Three: The President caves and Katniss and Peeta both survive, though nothing will ever be the same for Katniss.
That’s me for now. Have fun and happy writing!
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Oh my, I don't consciously do any of this, but when the story's finished, it's 'right'. Okay, I'm weird and insane…
LOL thing is, we're unconsciously trained to think this way, Julie! I'm just breaking it down :)
Thanks Patti for your tips. cant wait now for your next post.