Why Nostr? What is Njump?
2025-02-22 02:40:31
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nine2fivestudio on Nostr: There are some more generic paradigms which can be used in story structure. Outlining ...

There are some more generic paradigms which can be used in story structure. Outlining has helped me and provides a mile high view of a story I write. Zooming into each major plot point is like adjusting lenses on a telescope or something. Writing by the seat of one's pants is fun, but only works practically on a very ground level perspective.

, here are a few tips I've gleaned over the years:

CHARACTERS:
- This is a bit arguable, but unless you're writing wisdom literature, hard sci-fi, or something like the Decameron or the Arabian Nights, characters are going to make or break your story
- While there are many "interview your character" sketch templates online, the one I have found the most useful is this one: https://files.catbox.moe/v1cbw2 .
- Usually you will want to pick two to four centrsal characters (even for longer/novel length works) and throw them into some-kind-of-situation together wherein they will have to interact in depth; that "some-kind-of-situation" will be the plot of your story

PLOT:
- Outlines are your friend, despite what pantsers say
- The most important element of the plot is the satisfaction or denial of a desire of your main protagonist; arguably, the core plotline of any story is "someone wants something"; what your characters want can be gleaned from the sketch in the link above
- You want to get your characters from one plot point to the next, and this can be done in a variety of ways; however, the most interesting ways usually involve making things as difficult as possible for your characters. Do not shy away from being cruel to them; make them work for what they want. Yes, this will mean more work for you as the author, but that's what writing is: a craft which requires hard work. Depending on your genre, this may require some world-building.

If you want more advice, send me a DM and we can brainstorm something.

, if you establish that Matrix room, please let me know. I would love to be a part of it.
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