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Q&A Non-sense question about plot structures

I would say Plot Structures are narrative models. They can be used in writing, editing, and critiquing plots. I see no reason for them to be mutually exclusive from each other if the goal is provid...

posted 5y ago by birdy‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Answer
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T13:09:41Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/48655
License name: CC BY-SA 4.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
#2: Initial revision by user avatar birdy‭ · 2019-12-08T13:09:41Z (almost 5 years ago)
I would say Plot Structures are **narrative models**. They can be used in writing, editing, and critiquing plots. I see no reason for them to be mutually exclusive from each other if the goal is providing a way to think about sequences of events. That means that _many_ plot structures could easily apply to your story.

For example, I may realize that I've built up a mystery subplot, but the reveal isn't very satisfying. So I would look for structures/models for mystery plots and use them to diagnose why my story is misfiring (am I missing a step? Or did I give too much information?)

Personally, I gave up on using plot structures to _draft_ stories; the addditional process makes the events feel too predictable and it kills my creativity. I _do_ use them in editing though. Once everything is on the page, I find it makes more sense for me to refer back to the models as a goal so I can add more emphasis to one thing, repurpose another scene, etc.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2019-10-21T21:04:48Z (about 5 years ago)
Original score: 1