Exercise #3: Classic Story Structure
French film maker Jean-Luc Godard has said that films should have a beginning, middle and an end “but not necessarily in that order.” Write an outline for the story you want to tell using the classic story structure in 6 Steps. Added step is to mix up the order! You should have a classically structured 3-Day Novel outline in preparation for September 1st-3rd (register here).
Step 1 – Someone wants something.
Step 2 – There is an obstacle to the fulfillment of that desire.
Step 3 – They seek to surmount the obstacle, but fail.
Step 4 – They try again.
Step 5 – Something unexpected happens, which may or may not help.
Step 6 – They get what they want, or they don’t.
Checkout Exercise #2 Getting to the Truth
Adapted from Write Short Stories and Get them Published by Zoe Fairbairns