Writing Excuses 7.41: Seven-Point Story Structure
If you’ve ever had difficulty outlining something, this episode might be a perfect fit for you. We discuss the Seven-Point Story Structure, an outlining system Dan uses in which the story moves forward along seven sequential points.
Dan originally acquired this from a role-playing book, but it also sees regular use in screenwriting. Dan walks us through the system, and we hold his feet to the fire on behalf of Lou Anders, who once privately confessed to Howard that he just couldn’t get this thing to work.
Here, without any flavor text, are the seven points:
- Hook
- Plot Turn I
- Pinch I
- Midpoint
- Pinch II
- Plot Turn II
- Resolution
Audiobook Pick-of-the-Week: Enchanted, by Alethea Kontis, narrated by Katherine Kellgren
Linkage: Dan Wells Seven-Point Story Structure on YouTube
Homework: Try out the seven-point story structure for yourself. Outline something!
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