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But, here's the thing, the Classic 3A Structure and Save the Cat screenwriting structure doesn't work well with every story, and it's NOT the be-all, end-all. I read the books, did the worksheets and really didn't enjoy them.
*waits for mob*
*waits for mob*
It took me a long time to realize this, so in case anyone needs to hear it:
You don't actually HAVE to use 3A structure to craft your story. You might even be messing up your story trying to force it. There are lots of others out there.
Personally, I prefer *4-Act Structure.
You don't actually HAVE to use 3A structure to craft your story. You might even be messing up your story trying to force it. There are lots of others out there.
Personally, I prefer *4-Act Structure.
I realized I preferred the 4A after my agent @petejknapp gave me some sound advice while we were revising BOP. He told me to try to measure the parts as 25-50-25.
So the beginning/end are about a quarter (25%) of the story, while the middle is about half (50%).
So the beginning/end are about a quarter (25%) of the story, while the middle is about half (50%).
As I was revising, I realized what made even MORE sense (to me) was to split that giant 50% middle in two, and once I did that, I saw my story in 4 equal parts.
25%-25%-25%-25%.
25%-25%-25%-25%.
I write YA fantasy, and have often heard 100K is a sweet spot for that age/genre, so I made a word count *goal of 100K, with a mini goal of 25K words per Act. This made it REALLY EASY to measure pacing because I knew that when I hit 50K words, I should also be at 50% of the story
And THAT helped me keep my middle from getting too long and boring because I couldn't ramble or let things get out of hand--I had a "limit" that told me "okay, by 50K you need to be halfway done." It was a weird mind-trick, but it worked!
Once I quartered my Acts, I also saw them differently, much like a video game plot, I made sure each Act had a mini-mission/goal that pushed my characters into the next adventure. It was *almost like writing 4 short stories that wove together! And it worked!
I realize that, for some people, this still won't quite work for their story (which is ok!), but again, wanted to say it in case anyone else has ever stressed about structure. It's NOT an easy thing to grasp and master, and I think there's a stigma around admitting it.
We have rigid definitions within the prose/book community of what "proper" structure is and if you venture outside of that, there's sometimes a fear that you must not have a solid grasp or craft which means you must not be a good writer.
This is NOT true.
This is NOT true.
Figure out what works for Y O U as a writer. That doesn't mean whatever you want with total disregard for all standards, but it DOES mean don't be afraid to venture out and try something new.
(Remember, an author randomly made up "their brows knitted together" at some point.)
(Remember, an author randomly made up "their brows knitted together" at some point.)
Also! If you write in another age/genre: This 4A approach CAN work for you -- Just adjust the word count into another number that can be divided into 4!
And if THAT doesn't work, keep looking for methods until you find one that does!
Good luck! xo
And if THAT doesn't work, keep looking for methods until you find one that does!
Good luck! xo
