How Do You Choose the Best
Storytelling Structure
For Your Story?

It's a question that haunts most writers.

Especially intuitive writers--pantsers--who tend to write organically.

My friend Beth falls into that category. But she loves the Hero's Journey, and several other storytelling structures.

When I asked her how she made the leap to loving structure, she said, "I didn't, at first."

"In my early days, I read a book about using plot points, and I decided to try it.

But I struggled to figure out what went around those plot points.

The author of the book recommended that I write some of those plot points out of order.

It's a method that works for some people, but it confused me.

It took me five years to finish that novel."

"That's awful," I replied. "It's amazing that you didn't give up on structure completely."

"I thought about it," said Beth.

"But then I came across the Hero's Journey, and something clicked. I wrote my next novel in only six weeks."

Why does a story's structure make writing it easier...or harder?

When you find a storytelling structure that resonates with the kind of stories you want to tell, that structure stimulates your imagination.

Beth isn't alone--I had the same experience. 

Ironically, it was the opposite for me...I got stuck every time I tried the Hero's Journey. I needed those plot points that stymied Beth.

Which storytelling structure would set your creativity free?

Using the wrong structure can ruin the story you’re about to write.

It’s like shoving a square peg into a round hole. At best, nothing happens. At worst, the peg gets stuck.

Choosing the wrong structure can cause you to get stuck—because the structure works against you as you’re telling the story.

You might mistake it for writer’s block. And spend weeks…or months…being stuck, until you figure out the right structure for your story.

Even if you manage to finish a story whose structure isn’t best for the kind of story you’re telling, it won’t be as good as it should be.

The story feels off.

It doesn’t unfold in a way that engages your reader’s imagination.

You might never understand why…if you don’t understand how different structures take your plot in different directions.

(Story structure is NOT plot. But story structure gives rise to plot.)

There’s a reason traditional story structures like The Hero’s Journey have evolved--because when you follow them, it becomes easy to tell a story readers love.

They're a way of organizing your story that automatically make sense to readers.

The more skillfully you apply these powerful storytelling structures, the more addictive your fiction will be.​

​If you've tried to plot according to a traditional story structure but it hasn't worked...

If ​your stories feel "off" but you can't put your finger on why...

If you've been confused by the Hero's Journey or three-act structure in the past...

...don't miss out on this chance to master five powerful storytelling structures and take your fiction to the next level! 

Happy writing,

Beth and Lynn