A good story is not based on a formula. Yet there a certain things that are common in all stories. Stories are driven by the character or by events that are beyond the character's control.
Naturally I used the internet to see what other authors had to say about the subject. It seems that story structure is linked to the story's plot.
Structure
The arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex.Plot
A literary term used to describe the events that make up a story or the main part of a story.
Beginning. Middle. Ending.
The stuff in the story: characters, conflict and context (environment).
Start off by answering three simple questions.
Feel like you need more information?
Classic Story Structure Begins with Plot
How to Create a Story Structure to Die for
How to Structure A Story: The Eight-Point Arc
STORY STRUCTURE: 10 Simple Keys to Effective Plot Structure
The 4 Story Structures that Dominate Novels
The Secrets of Story Structure (Complete Series)
WHAT IS THE THREE ACT STRUCTURE?
Update:
I found an article showing a 4 part structure that I thought was interesting.
And, the Writer's Circle Facebook page shared an interesting photo on sub-plots.
 
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These are the elements that guide all stories. An author takes a reader, orients them, shows them a bunch of stuff, and leaves the reader wanting to know more.
If you were reading (for work) as opposed to reading (for fun) you would be analyzing the parts of a story using a framework such as the hero's journey (or heroine's journey). I would encourage you to learn more about the Hero's Journey and the Heroine's Journey by clicking the on the links. Further, Ingrid Sundberg explores the relationship between a story's plot and the hero's journey, and suggests that author's should not 'blindly follow' a structure. I argue that you should use a simple framework: you show the reader your character, stuff happens to the character, your character has to deal with the stuff, and ultimately your character changes because of the stuff. |
The stuff in the story: characters, conflict and context (environment).
Start off by answering three simple questions.
- Who is involved?
- What is happening?
- Where is this happening?
While you are doing this, make your reader care about the story. If you care, someone else will care too. What drives this connection? Emotion and experiences. People share common experiences and perceptions all the time. A story is no different. You have to decide how you do this.
Feel like you need more information?
Classic Story Structure Begins with Plot
How to Create a Story Structure to Die for
How to Structure A Story: The Eight-Point Arc
STORY STRUCTURE: 10 Simple Keys to Effective Plot Structure
The 4 Story Structures that Dominate Novels
The Secrets of Story Structure (Complete Series)
WHAT IS THE THREE ACT STRUCTURE?
Update:
I found an article showing a 4 part structure that I thought was interesting.
And, the Writer's Circle Facebook page shared an interesting photo on sub-plots.