A division of a story used to create Narrative Structures.
The antagonist (often a villain) is the character that works against the protagonist (lead character, hero) in the story.
A division of a book, usually indicated by a number or title.
A character arc is the sum of character development over the duration of the story. Each instance of character development changes the character in some way. When all instances of character development are viewed one after the other, the trajectory or arc of the character's development becomes clear. There are usually three types: Positive, Negative and Flat.
Character Development is a single instance of character growth in the story. Character development will take place in scenes.
A character Progression is the sum of character development over the duration of the story. Each instance of character development changes the character in some way. When all instances of character development are viewed one after the other, the trajectory or arc of the character's development becomes clear. There are usually three types: Positive, Negative and Flat.
The climax of the story is the event that everything so far has been leading up to. The lead character is faced with the final/greatest obstacle and the reader will finally discover if they prevail. The climax is the pinnacle of action in an action-focused story and the pinnacle of drama in a dramatic story.
A conflict is a struggle between two opposing elements in the story. A conflict is usually considered in relation to a specific character, leading to the definition if internal and exteranl conflicts. Internal conflicts are conflicts that the character has with themselves while external conflicts are conflicts with other elements in the story: Two opposing characters, opposing beliefs, opposing ideas.
The final part of the story where loose ends are tied up and the story is brought to a close/resolved.
The second-most important person in the story, after the protagonist. This could be the same character as the antagonist, or the sidekick.
The exposition or opening is the introductory section of the story, where characters, settings, stakes and conflicts are introduced to the reader.
A character who is introduced to draw attention to the traits/qualities of another character, often through exhibiting contrasting traits and qualities.
The inciting incident is the unexpected event that changes everything for the lead character. It sparks the sequence of events that leads up to the Climax of the story.
A character included in the story as a love interest, usually for the protagonist. The love interest serves to reveal certain qualities of the protagonist and can form part of a romantic story arc.
A trusted guide, teacher and advisor.
Narrative Structure is the framework that houses the narrative and determines the placement and ordering of plot elements such as the Hook, Inciting Incident, Midpoint, Climax and Resolution. It can also indicate pace and tension inflection points.
The exposition or opening is the introductory section of the story, where characters, settings, stakes and conflicts are introduced to the reader.
The process of creating a Plot Outlline.
The story pace is a measure of how quickly or slowly the story is unfolding.
Somebody who follows the Pantsing process when writing their stories.
The process of writing a story without creating a Plot Outline or performing other formalised planning before-hand. Writing by the seat of the pants.
A summary of a story or book, broken down by scene. Scene, character, setting sketches.
A plot point is an incident that affects what happens next.
Someone who follows the Plotting Process when writing their stories.
The process of creating a Plot Outline.
The perspective used to portray the scene.
The premise is usually defined as your story in one sentence. Formally, a premise is an idea on which an argument, statement or action is based. In the literary sense, it is the idea on which the writer bases their story.
The proragonist is the lead character in the story (often a hero). This is the character that drives the plot forward and is usually opposed by the antagonist. There may be multiple protagonists if there are multiple subplots to the story.
The final part of the story where loose ends are tied up and the story is brought to a close/resolved.
A structured piece of the story, containing a beginning, middle and end. A scene usually follows a character trying to achieve some goal. The beginning of the scene introduces the goal, the middle introduces the conflict that is impeding them and the end must resolve this conflict.
A collection of related scenes that build up to a climax.
A setting is the location that a scene is taking place, at that particular time. This includes the specifics of that location at the time being considered, including what the environmental conditions are, who is present, etc.
A companion to the protagonist. Sometimes the sidekick is also the Deuteragonist, but not always.
The story arc is the sequence of events in a story. There might be multiple story arcs in a single book.
The story tension is a measure of the suspense, emotional strain or forboding experienced by the Characters in the story (and the reader).
The theme is the message that the writer is trying to convey to the reader, usually indirectly through the actions of the characters in the story.
The process of creative a cohesive fictional world with varied settings. Elements that may be included in worldbuilding are: Politics, Language and Culturnes, Currencies and Economies, History, Detailed Maps, Geography and Ecosystems, Factions, Weather, Physics and Magic.
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