Choose Your Own Adventures: Using Story Structure

The Writing Forge

Plottr creator Cameron Sutter joins Bonnie and Miranda to discuss their favorite story structures and how to effectively use them. Whether you’re a planner or a pantser, understanding the elements of structure is crucial to crafting a compelling narrative. A solid grounding in a variety of structures can help you avoid plotholes, meet reader expectations, and deliver satisfying character arcs. Through intentional and flexible use of story structure, you can leave your readers both satisfied and surprised with how your story ends.

What’s your favorite story structure? Let us know on our socials!

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Links:

P. Djèlí Clark’s Abeni’s Dream

A few of the referenced story structures:

• The Campbellian Monomyth (aka the Hero’s Journey)
• The seven point structure as broken down by Dan Wells
• The sleuth’s journey
• Romancing the Beat
• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel

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Sound engineering by Luke Fischer

Cover art by Maggie Walker