test/skills/storyboard-manager/references/story_structures.md

Story Structure Reference

This reference provides common story structures and frameworks for planning narratives.

Three-Act Structure

Act One: Setup (25% of story)

• Hook: Opening scene that grabs attention
• Inciting Incident: Event that disrupts the protagonist's normal world
• First Plot Point: Decision/event that propels protagonist into Act Two (typically at 25% mark)

Act Two: Confrontation (50% of story)

• Rising Action: Series of obstacles and complications
• Midpoint: Major revelation or reversal (at 50% mark)
• Pinch Points: Moments that increase pressure on protagonist
• Second Plot Point: Lowest point/crisis that leads into Act Three (at 75% mark)

Act Three: Resolution (25% of story)

• Climax: Final confrontation or decision
• Falling Action: Immediate consequences of climax
• Resolution: New normal/equilibrium established

Hero's Journey (Joseph Campbell)

1. Ordinary World: Hero's normal life
2. Call to Adventure: Challenge or quest presented
3. Refusal of the Call: Initial hesitation or fear
4. Meeting the Mentor: Guidance or magical aid
5. Crossing the Threshold: Commitment to the journey
6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies: Learning the rules of the new world
7. Approach to the Inmost Cave: Preparation for major challenge
8. Ordeal: Greatest fear/challenge faced
9. Reward: Achievement of goal or new knowledge
10. The Road Back: Return journey begins
11. Resurrection: Final test with everything at stake
12. Return with the Elixir: Hero returns transformed

Save the Cat Beat Sheet (Blake Snyder)

1. Opening Image: Snapshot of protagonist's world before change
2. Theme Stated: Central question or theme introduced
3. Setup: Establish protagonist's world, flaws, and stakes
4. Catalyst: Event that starts the story (at 10% mark)
5. Debate: Internal conflict about whether to act
6. Break into Two: Protagonist commits to journey (at 20-25% mark)
7. B Story: Subplot introduced (often romantic or thematic)
8. Fun and Games: Promise of the premise delivered
9. Midpoint: False victory or defeat (at 50% mark)
10. Bad Guys Close In: External and internal pressure increases
11. All Is Lost: Lowest point (at 75% mark)
12. Dark Night of the Soul: Protagonist processes loss
13. Break into Three: Solution discovered (at 80% mark)
14. Finale: Climax and resolution
15. Final Image: Parallel to opening showing change

Character Arc Templates

Positive Change Arc

• Lie Believed: Character starts believing something false about themselves/world
• Want vs. Need: What they think they want vs. what they actually need
• Ghost/Wound: Past trauma influencing present behavior
• Moment of Truth: Forced to choose between lie and truth
• Resolution: Embraces truth and grows

Flat Arc

• Truth Known: Character already knows the truth
• World's Lie: The world around them believes a lie
• Testing: Character's truth is challenged repeatedly
• Impact: Character changes the world around them
• Affirmation: Character's truth proven correct

Negative Arc

• Initial Weakness: Character has a flaw or belief
• Escalation: Flaw grows worse through choices
• Point of No Return: Character chooses darkness
• Descent: Consequences spiral
• Tragic End: Character destroyed or becomes antagonist

Scene Structure

Scene Components

1. Goal: What the POV character wants in this scene
2. Conflict: Opposition to achieving the goal
3. Disaster: Outcome (usually negative) that propels to next scene

Sequel Components (reaction to scene)

1. Reaction: Emotional response to disaster
2. Dilemma: Working through options
3. Decision: Choice that leads to next goal/scene

Pacing Guidelines

Chapter Length by Genre

• Thriller/Mystery: 2,000-3,000 words (faster pace)
• Fantasy/Sci-Fi: 3,000-5,000 words (world-building needs)
• Romance: 2,500-4,000 words (emotional beats)
• Literary Fiction: 2,000-6,000 words (varies widely)
• YA: 2,000-3,500 words (shorter attention span)

Tension Management

• High-tension scenes: Action, conflict, revelations (shorter, punchier)
• Low-tension scenes: Character development, world-building (can be longer)
• Rhythm: Alternate between high and low tension
• Overall trend: Tension should increase as story progresses

Plot Development

Conflict Types

1. Character vs. Character: Antagonist opposition
2. Character vs. Self: Internal struggle
3. Character vs. Society: Against norms/systems
4. Character vs. Nature: Environmental challenges
5. Character vs. Technology: Man vs. machine
6. Character vs. Fate: Against destiny/prophecy

Subplot Integration

• Mirror subplots: Reflect main theme differently
• Contrast subplots: Show opposite approach to theme
• Complication subplots: Add obstacles to main plot
• Resolution rule: Resolve minor subplots before climax, major ones during/after

Genre-Specific Structures

Mystery/Thriller

• Introduction of crime/mystery
• Investigation and clue discovery
• Red herrings and misdirection
• Escalating danger
• Revelation and confrontation
• Resolution and explanation

Romance

• Meet-cute or introduction
• Attraction develops
• Barrier/conflict introduced
• Relationship deepens despite obstacles
• Black moment/breakup
• Grand gesture/reconciliation
• Happy ending or HEA (Happily Ever After)

Fantasy/Sci-Fi

• Ordinary world establishment
• Introduction to magical/sci-fi elements
• Quest or mission defined
• Journey and world exploration
• Building towards prophesied/anticipated event
• Final battle or confrontation
• New world order established