Over the past few week we have gone over most of Workbook One of The Fiction System. Hopefully it has provided a deeper understanding of how and why the system is set up as it is.
Behind the scenes, we've had a bit of a chaotic month. In the process of restoration and recovery a disastrous mistake was made and a large section of Workbook Two was lost. We are moving on. The reconstruction process is well underway. Needless to say, we will have to postpone the expected release back by three months minimum.
So, we carry on, forward we go. Oh, and save extra copies everywhere!
At this point, we should have a considerable amount of notes and information about our characters and settings. From here we are going to spend a bit of time on training our story structure skills. It is essential for the proper communication and comprehension of our story.
While these early stages of the TFS process may seem very basic or simplistic, know we are here to help advance all writers at any level. And, it is our belief that knowing not only how, but why the process is specifically designed to support and develop multiple aspects of the story as we create it. The more readers can discover connections within the story the more connected they become.
Here's an except from The Fiction System. “This is a very basic Plot Sequence:
• In the beginning, Plot creates a situation, causing an Inner Conflict the Main Character can no longer ignore, neglect, or avoid.
• The aggravation of those old wounds causes the Character to React out of emotion/fear.
• They may not be able to avoid the Plot and Conflict coming their way, but they are still going to try. Screwing things up along the way.
• When they have no choice but to try, they take the first steps, stumbling often.
• It’s all too hard. “How will they ever be strong enough?”
• Something happens that reminds them how little control they have in the situation, but also how the stakes are greater that they expected. There’s a growing necessity.
• Somewhere really close to the Middle, the Character is going to have a moment of deep reflection.
• They’ll see that there is a problem, and ya, they might be part of it, but now that they know. They can handle more than they thought, but maybe still try to avoid their own problems in some new and clever way.
• When that doesn’t go to plan, everything begins to fall apart all over the place.
• Something really bad happens.
• The Character can’t keep it together. They’re tired, they failed and they feel guilty.
• Someone special picks them up and shakes them. They see the light and, begin to regain their faith.
• They choose to fight on, no longer for themselves but for a purpose, a person, or the world.
• They prepare to make the ultimate sacrifice at the hand of the ultimate baddie.
• But there, in the Jaws of Defeat, the Character finally embraces their true Power within, they are unexpectedly victorious,
• They survive forever transformed or they die.
• With one final look at how things ended up, its over.
It has a Beginning, Middle and an End, it could work well in a Three Act Structure, or a multitude of others. And, there are likely infinite ways to write it.”
We can turn these into plot points, to flesh out our Story Arcs. Let’s look at how we explain and begin organizing those plot points into our stories. This is how TFS sets up a basic plot.
The Plot Terrain:
It is a basic Plot Arc, with the Character, Story, and Emotional Arcs set in Stages. We begin with the two halves of our plot terrain and the arcs they encompass.
• The ‘A’ Story is how the Story plays out on the External level, the things that go on outside the Character. Often consists of world relevant issues which are affecting them.
• ‘A’ Story is one of the three major supports for the entire story Plot Arc.
• The Plot Arc is ‘the Forces that be’. Whatever pushes the main character to move forward, or progress to reach their full potential.
• All the situations that happen around and to the character. The action.
• The ‘B’ Story is how the Story plays out on the Internal level, all the chaos going on inside the Character. Most often portrayed through the characters emotional reactions, choices, and internal dialogue.
• ‘B’ Story consists of the two remaining major supports, the Character and Emotional Arcs.
• The Character Arc is the main character’s experience of Personal Transformation which the plot leads.
• The Emotional Arc. This arc bears a hefty load, without it your structure could fail. It is the Character’s Emotional journey, which compels readers, and gives the story Purpose and Meaning.
• In TFS meaning and purpose grow with the character. They are most strongly connected and conveyed through emotion and feelings.
∞ Depending on the story, we may need multiple Character Arcs, and/or Plot Arcs. Be sure to do the work for each one individually.
∞ The plot terrain is a great tool to visually memorize. It will be a reliable guide to follow if you lean more toward discovery writing.
The Fiction System breaks down each stage of the plot to develop more in-depth story elements. In the coming weeks we will go over that plot structure and how to develop an outline based on it.
Due to the extent of the reconstruction of portions of Workbook Two, I am going to be moving Substack out to every two weeks instead of weekly. At least temporarily.