What Story Structure Do You Use?

90% of stories are turned down because of structure

STRUCTURE IS PARAMOUNT: 90% of stories are turned down because of structure.

~John Truby, NYC, 2015

Was it Aaron Sorkin who said something like, "… the most important thing is structure. I've said before that when a script isn't working, it's almost never a problem with the dialogue. It's much more likely to be a problem with the structure."

If your story is failing (and every story fails at some point), it's due to structure.

The great news is it's not you; it's the structure. Structure can be learned.

You are highly creative.

Short conclusion? Keep being creative. Take back your story with structure.

How do you find the perfect story design for your story?

A good story is a dramatic sequence of events leading to change and always has a moral element. Moral means expressing the proper act in this world or this life and doing it through the structure, characters, and plot.

A character's psychological arc is different from their moral arc. Psychological elements coming from a character affect the person (that character). On the other hand, a moral element stemming from character affects someone else.

The psychological element is found in all stories, whereas the moral element is found in all good stories. If you add a moral element, make sure it tracks your overall story.

Consider CASABLANCA (1942) as an example of adding a moral element to a good story. Even Robert McKee will discuss it in his upcoming fall 2024 screenwriting series STORY.

The critical question is WHY? Why use a film from 1942 to teach story in 2024?

The answer is…it’s a good story. Why is a good story? One reason is that it has a moral element.

The film is about an American romantic drama directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Bogart plays Rick Blaine, a hero with psychological problems; because of them, he's cynical and bitter about losing love. This moral element gives us the storyline and the character's moral arc, as he has to stop worrying about himself and look out for the world, ultimately sacrificing what he loves.

So, the answer to finding the perfect story design for your story starts with having a moral element, no matter which story structure you choose.

What is Story Structure?

On the outside, structure is the main order of what your main character does in a story. Structure is the order of development. This story development is tracked by the order of scenes, scene sequences, and acts.

On the inside, structure can be your story’s Secret Sauce, and it's the order of how your character sees themselves in the world; it's what they do behind closed doors and how those behaviors change. On the inside, it is also the place to show your character’s moral element or moral compass.

What is the difference between character and structure?

Nothing. Structure is character unfolding through plot. Structure is the vehicle of character change.

Therefore, the character reveals herself through inner and outer changes in the story structure.

Did you take the Story Structure POP QUIZ?

Choose the correct answer below:

How do you build a scene, sequence, act, and story through structure?

• A. 3-Act Structure or 5-Act Structure

• B. The 5-Steps of Dramatic Action

• C. The 7-Structure Steps by John Truby

• D. Story Grid's Genre Beats, Genre Obligatory Scenes, Genre Expectations

• E. Save the Cat Beat Sheet

• F.  All of the above

• G.  All of the above and then twist

• H. None

The answer? It’s up to you.

I use “all of the above and twist.”

What do you use and why? I am interested in hearing! Let me know!

Think of story structure as a science and twisting the beats as the craft.

I'm looking forward to the next set of posts called STRUCTURE: 6 SCENES in 6 WEEKS.

I will give directions on how to plot and write the first six scenes of a story using a combination of effective STORY STRUCTURE BEATS.

PREVIEW: In our next post, we’ll write our first scene using the following:

Scene 1: Ghost Story (Backstory)

Have a question about storytelling, structure, genre, or character development?

• Hit reply and let me know. I will email you back!

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I look forward to reading your stories and connecting in 2024!

Best wishes,

Kelly E. Keough