Story Structure

Story Structure

Alan Watt

Table of Contents

explore upcoming
writing workshops

finish the day with a completed outline


Story structure is often taught by story analysts as plot, but it is really the DNA of our protagonist’s internal journey to transformation.

Without a sense of a beginning, middle and ending, you are likely going to get lost, and by having a sense of how to proportion your story you will be more aware of where your story is not working.

Structure is related to theme and not plot. By working with structure we begin to understand what we are trying to express. Don’t assume or take for granted that you know what you are trying to express. I always say that our idea of our story is never the whole story. It is not that our idea is incorrect. It is that it is incomplete.

By deepening our relationship to story structure, we develop the tools to write a more compelling narrative.

I always love to hear from writers. Please share with me your thoughts on this.

 

Learn more about marrying the wildness of your imagination to the rigor of structure in The 90-Day Novel, The 90-Day Memoir, or The 90-Day Screenplay workshops.

Join the 90-day novel classes live on Zoom to unlock your story within.



Alan Watt

Writing Coach

Alan Watt is a bestselling novelist and filmmaker, and recipient of numerous awards including France’s Prix Printemps. He is the founder of alanwatt.com (formerly L.A. Writers’ Lab). His books on writing include the National Bestseller The 90-Day Novel, plus The 90-Day Memoir, The 90-Day Screenplay, and The 90-Day Rewrite. His students range from first-time writers to bestselling authors and A-list screenwriters. His 90-day workshops have guided thousands of writers to transform raw ideas into compelling stories by marrying the wildness of their imaginations to the rigor of story structure.
Alan Watt with L.A. hills behind

unlock the story within

Join my newsletter for writing ideas and news on upcoming workshops.

Related posts

A car stuck in a snowstorm represents the struggle of a writer who has lost the plot

Lost the Plot: What To Do When You Get Stuck

For all our enthusiasm when we start a story, it’s easy to get stuck and realize we lost the plot...

Plot vs. story is put into perspective by a piece of land plotted onto a paper set against grass

Plot vs. Story

When you read articles on writing, the words “story” and “plot” are often used interchangeably. You’re wondering if there are...

A man holds a duke by the hair with a knife to suggest a sometimes simple and violent heart of a central conflict. More quickly identified.

Central Conflict

Though you may love and care about your protagonist, there needs to be a central conflict in your story. You...