214: Narrative Arc Framework to Help You Write Better Stories [Quick Tip]

Researching for ways to improve my writing, I came across a “Masterclass” on the Narrative Story Arc. In this episode, I share an overview of what the Masterclass goes over with the hopes of inspiring you to apply it to your writing for…

…books
…emails
…social media posts
…”about me” pages even!

The human brain is drawn into stories. But sometimes it’s hard to know how to ‘craft’ them. Follow this breakdown written below and shared in audio in this podcast episode. Even though it is for fiction, we can learn a lot from it and apply it to our nonfiction writing as well.

Can’t wait to hear what stories you cook up!

Source for this episode and to learn even more on the topic:
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-the-elements-of-a-narrative-arc-and-how-do-you-create-one-in-writing#what-is-the-difference-between-a-narrative-arc-and-a-character-arc

NARRATIVE ARC OVERVIEW

EXAMPLE: A Christmas Carol

#1 + #2:

Hook to catch the reader’s attention right away
+
Exposition.

Reader’s intro. Background info to prime the audience for the rest of the story, including intro of the main character(s) (the “who”), setting (the “where”), and circumstances or time period (the “when”).

We meet Ebenezer Scrooge in Victorian England. We see his cold character traits in action as he shuts out poor men seeking money for food, and turns down an invitation to have dinner with his nephew.

In the inciting incident, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley, his late business partner, who warns him he’ll be visited by three spirits and that he should take their advice.

#3:

Rising action.

This is when conflict begins to ramp up. The rising action usually begins with what’s called an “inciting incident”—the triggering event that puts the main events of the story in motion. This is when the audience starts to see what your story is really about.

The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge back to his unhappy childhood and shows him that his former fiancée, Belle, ended their relationship bc he was too obsessed with $.

The Ghost of Christmas Present takes him to his employee Bob Cratchit’s bleak dinner, where Scrooge learns his son, Tiny Tim, is gravely ill and in danger of dying unless his family’s circumstances change.

#4:

Climax.

This is the highest point of tension in your storyline, and often the point at which all the different subplots and characters converge. Typically, the climax requires the main character to face the truth or make an important choice.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge a future where he dies, and nobody mourns his loss.

Scrooge breaks down and promises to become a better person if given the chance to go back to the present.

#5:

Falling action.

This is what happens as a result of the protagonist’s decision. During the falling action, the conflict gives way to resolution. Loose ends are tied up, and tension begins to dissipate.

Scrooge wakes up on Christmas morning a changed man. To make amends for his previous bad behavior, he donates money to charity, provides Christmas dinner for the Cratchit family, and gives Bob a generous raise.

#6:

Resolution or “denouement”

How the story ends. Isn’t always happy, but it does close the loop and show how the events of the story have changed the characters and the world around them.

In the end, Scrooge vows to embody the Christmas spirit year-round in all things he does.

#7:

Teaser to the next story.

n/a

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