Introduction:
I've been blogging about how to write in a more literary fashion, no matter your genre. One important writing technique that has come to my attention recently is the 3-act structure. You may have heard of this or the 7 plot points or even the 12-point structure. Aristotle first broke down the three-act structure of a basic story. The 7 plot points expand on that. Joseph Campbell came up with the hero's journey, which is the basis of the 12-point structure. You can use them all or decide for yourself which may work best for you. One way or another, it's a good idea to be sure your book hits the major points to make it work for the reader.
Act 1:
My books are short and simple, so I've decided to focus on the 3-act structure. The first act starts with your character's background and normal world. This is where your reader learns what they need to know about your character. Just beware of long, boring info dumps or flashbacks that sweep the reader away before they've even established themselves in the current world. This is your character's comfort zone.
There may and probably will be some level of discontent, something from their past that makes their world less perfect. Think Luke Skywalker with Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru. Think Hamlet, whose dad recently died. Think Katniss in her childhood home with her depressive mother and the looming specter of the Hunger Games. This is where you're learning who and what reality they are used to. It should take roughly 1/4 of the book. Toward the end, they hit the inciting incident/call to adventure wherein they're invited to/pushed to leave their comfort zone. Obi Wan tells him he needs to join the rebellion, Hamlet's father's ghost tells him to kill his uncle, and Katniss's sister is selected to participate in the Hunger Games. Quite often, their first act is to reject the call to adventure.
Act 2:
The character is launched into the second section with the first plot point, which is the decision to act on the call to adventure. Basically, they make a choice that forces them out of their comfort zone and into the rising action, the adventure, itself. The reader gets to know the protagonist, sidekick(s) and antagonist better. This is the choice to join Obi Wan and Han in leaving Tatooine as they head into space to answer Leia's call for help. This is the section wherein most of Luke's first adventure in space occurs. This is Hamlet's internal struggle as well as his struggle against his uncle, the king's machinations and attempts to have him killed. This is the Hunger Games, themselves. The protagonist tends to react rather than act this section. This section usually takes up about half the book.
It's during this time the midpoint occurs. A significant event occurs here, usually things getting worse. This is the hardest challenge yet for the protagonist. For instance, Katniss has to stop running and start fighting her enemy tributes. This part throws the protagonist out of their groove.
Act 3:
This part is triggered by plot point two. The character has started to become more proactive and less reactive. They become a master of whatever they were struggling with in act 2. Luke embraces his role in the rebellion and willingly goes to war. Hamlet has embraced his destiny and challenges his uncle and his uncle's minions. Katniss attempts to protect Rue and Peeta.
This part starts with a conflict between protagonist and antagonist. This is the pre climax. The angagonist's strength will take the hero off guard. There should be some doubt about whether or not the protagonist will triumph.
Climax
The climax is during this this section. This is the part the whole book has worked toward, the moment of emotional fulfilment. It's the final conflict, when the hero, who has just been knocked off guard, is back and ready for action and overcomes the antagonist. This is Luke's use of the force to take down the Death Star. This is Hamlet fight with his father and his father's minions. It goes badly for him, but tragedy can be part of the climax as well. Katniss challenges the Capital's power and triumphs, saving Peeta and herself with her plan. The climax often involves a decision and embracing the abilities the protagonist has spent the rest of the book developing.
Denouement
This act ends with denouement, which answers final questions and finishes the narrative. This is where Luke and Katniss claim their reward, and the story wraps up after Hamlet and everyone else has died. If the climax doesn't achieve the protagonist's goal, this is where that happens. In this section, the writer is tying up loose ends, underscoring the theme, and releasing tension. It should not get so long it feels boring nor so short that you don't finish everything that needs to be done. Look over the three acts and decide where you can apply them to your books.
