Foundational Elements of New Fiction Design
In the captivating world of literature, two fundamental pillars hold the structure of a successful novel – plot and character. This concept, eloquently articulated by James Scott Bell, emphasises the importance of these elements working harmoniously to create a compelling narrative.
The first pillar propels the Main Character (MC) into the heart of the story, often through an inciting incident. This event, known as the opening disturbance by Bell, sets the MC on a journey that leads them to the "Door of No Return." This one-way-only portal, a significant milestone that must be passed before the 1/5th mark of the novel, is a turning point from which the character cannot return.
Take, for instance, Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, who volunteers to take her sister's place in the games, thus stepping through the Door of No Return. Similarly, Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs is thrust into a psychological game, a possible way to ultimately solve the case.
The first act of the novel is a whirlwind of action, setting the stage for the MC's journey. Act One features the inciting incident, the event which propels the character into the story journey, and introduces the story problem or goal. The MC is then thrust into the "dark world" of Act Two, where they must face "death stakes" – physical, professional, or psychological challenges.
Act Two involves the MC pushing through obstacles and chasing their goal, with a mid-point twist, more obstacles, a disaster, and a climax of Act Two. This act is a series of actions where the character confronts and resists death, and is opposed by counterforces. The second pillar, another Doorway of No Return, opens in the form of a major crisis or setback, clue or discovery, and forces the MC into Act Three and the final battle and resolution.
Learning and living the basic three-act structure and the two pillar structure can help in creating a novel that readers won't be able to put down. The three-act structure, more sharply defined by Joseph Campbell, author of "The Hero's Journey" and "The Power of Myth", includes Act One (the setup), Act Two (the confrontation), and Act Three (the resolution).
The second pillar makes the final resolution necessary, as it is where all the action happens and forces the MC into Act Three and the climax, descending action, the denouement (wrap up), and the end. All good novels that sell (or 99 percent of them) have some type of basic novel structure, including the three-act structure and the two pillar structure.
Remember, a novel's beginning should let the reader know who the protagonist is, introduce the Story Problem/Goal, set the tone/introduce the voice, and set the stakes. Passionate writing (writing "hot") during the first draft is essential, while revising and editing should be done objectively (writing "cold").
James Scott Bell, a master of the modern day thriller, wrote about the two pillars of novel structure. Michael Mohr, a Bay Area writer, former literary agent's assistant, and freelance book editor, whose fiction has been published in several literary magazines and whose blog pieces have been included in Writers' Digest, Writer Unboxed, and MASH, is another advocate for this approach.
So, the next time you embark on a novel writing journey, remember the two pillars of plot and character, and let them guide you to crafting a kick-ass novel that readers won't be able to put down.
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