Let’s Outline Your Novel

The three-act story structure is an outlining model that divides a story into three parts: the set-up, the confrontation, and the resolution.

I like to use it because it simplifies what I need to do and when, throughout my novel. It breaks up your story into a beginning, a middle, and an end.

I’m currently writing an eBook that’s going to go in-depth on this outlining technique.

Here’s a short overview of what the three-act story structure entails, so you can use it if you’d like.

Act 1:

• Is where character development, world building (if needed for fantasy novels), and where the start of conflict set-up takes place.
• Act 1 is the first 25% of your story
• Act 1 ends with the Inciting Incident, which is the area that hooks the reader into the story. It’s an event that thrusts the protagonist into the main action of the story.

Act 2:

• Is where relationships develop between characters and ramps up the conflict to a fevered pitch.
• There are obstacles your protagonist has to overcome, usually caused by the antagonist.
• Midway through Act 2 is a plot twist.
• The end of Act 2 is a main culmination, crisis, climax.
• Act 2 makes up the majority of your story.

Act 3:

• Is where the main tensions of the story are brought to their most intense points.
• All questions are answered, all loose ends tied up.
• It leaves the protagonist and other characters with a new sense of who they really are.

This should be enough to give you an idea of what the three-act story structure entails.

If you need help, plotting out your novel, head over to the Life Coaching for Writers in the menu and read about how I can help you with your novel.

Happy Writing!

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