How to structure a story

A story structure represented as a diagram.

Learn how the Hook grabs readers from the very first page with an irresistible question that piques their curiosity and keeps them reading.

✨New Series✨ Story Structure Basics First up is the classic five-act story structure: 1. Exposition: introduce the characters, provide some backstory, and end with an inciting incident that disrupts their daily life. 2. Rising Action: Conflict begins to rise & character starts to pursue their goal. 3. Climax: The character(s) thinks they’ve achieved their goal, tension is at it’s highest, can be a major turning point in the plot. 4. Falling Action: The character(s) must face consequences and…

Character Building Checklist - Tips and resources to help you develop well-rounded, compelling characters in your writing.

Learn how to use the Three-Act structure to create riveting stories, and see expert examples of the Three-Act structure in use!

To force structure on a story too early is inevitably to force the story itself. You don’t want to impose structure; rather, you want the story to find its own

Eager to spin a new tale or spice up your novel? Dive into character creation with our quirky fill-in-the-blank questionnaire! Move beyond mundane details like name and age to craft personalities that pop, adding zest to your storyline, sparking conflict, and weaving richer plots. Check out our post, "Fiction Writing: Create Character Profiles (with Free Questionnaire)," for a dose of creative inspiration!