Why Your Novel's Structure Still Isn't Working

Summary

In this video, Ellen Brock Noel, an editor, addresses common structural issues in writing, particularly for intermediate to advanced writers. She discusses the importance of the debate phase, where characters grapple with the disruption of their status quo, the pivotal role of the midpoint in shifting the protagonist's actions, and the necessity of a 'Dark Night of the Soul' moment to frame the climax effectively. Noel emphasizes the need for clear transitions between story quarters to avoid a sagging middle and to maintain narrative tension and pacing.

Takeaways

• 📚 Understanding advanced structural issues in writing is essential for writers at an intermediate to advanced level.
• ❗️The 'debate' section in a story often misses the emotional turmoil a character feels when their status quo is disrupted, not just their hesitation to get involved.
• 🚪 The disruption of the status quo should be clearly demonstrated, showing how it emotionally and practically affects the protagonist.
• 🌀 The 'midpoint' in a story isn't just a twist, but a significant pivot where the protagonist's actions and goals should change, making the story feel fresh.
• 🔄 If scenes between the second and third quarters can be swapped without impact, something is wrong with the story's structure.
• 🚶‍♂️ A character’s journey in the third quarter should lead to a significant low point or a wall, creating a stark contrast before reaching the climax.
• 💥 The transition between quarters is crucial. Missing these transitions can make a story feel slow, sloppy, and poorly paced.
• 📝 The structural integrity of a novel can feel off if the transitional elements between story quarters are weak or missing.
• 🔄 The midpoint should refresh the story by shifting the character's intention, action, or goal, making the middle engaging instead of slow.
• 🎥 The next video will discuss the interaction between the flat arc and story structure, a topic of interest for viewers.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Ellen Brock Noel's video?

The main topic of the video is discussing common structural issues in story writing, especially those encountered during the editing phase by intermediate to advanced level writers.

Why does Ellen suggest not starting with this video if you're new to story structure?

Ellen suggests not starting with this video for beginners because it doesn't explain the basic terminology or the fundamentals of story structure in depth, which are covered in a separate series she recommends for new learners.

What is the 'debate' phase in story structure according to the video?

The 'debate' phase is when the character is questioning whether they will get involved in the main conflict, trying to determine how they will engage or if they should at all, following a disruption to their status quo.

Why is the destruction of the status quo important in the debate phase?

The destruction of the status quo is important because it creates an emotional response in the character, making them uncomfortable and pushing them to consider their involvement in the main conflict beyond just a rational decision.

What is a common mistake made by writers regarding the 'debate' section of their story?

A common mistake is overlooking the emotional aspect of the debate and focusing too much on the intellectual hesitation, not effectively demonstrating the broken status quo and the character's emotional reaction to it.

What does Ellen mean by the 'midpoint' being a pivot in the story?

The 'midpoint' as a pivot means that the protagonist's actions, goals, and intentions should change direction. It's not just a twist but a significant shift in the character's approach to the story's main conflict.

Why is it a problem if scenes from the second and third quarters of a story can be swapped without affecting the narrative?

It's a problem because it indicates a lack of distinct difference between the two quarters, suggesting that the midpoint pivot did not effectively change the character's approach or the story's direction.

What should the midpoint of a story do to avoid a 'saggy middle'?

The midpoint should introduce a significant shift or pivot that refreshes the story, changes the character's actions or goals, and provides a new direction to keep the narrative engaging and paced well.

What is the significance of the 'Dark Knight' or the lowest point in a story's third quarter?

The 'Dark Knight' is significant because it represents a wall or low point that the character must overcome, setting up the climactic sequence and providing emotional depth and tension before the story's resolution.

Why is it crucial for a character to hit a wall before the climactic sequence?

It's crucial because hitting a wall creates a sense of an insurmountable challenge, which then frames the climactic sequence with a sense of urgency and importance, making the resolution more satisfying.

What does Ellen suggest as a common issue with novels that have all plot points but still feel unsatisfying?

A common issue is the lack of effective demonstration of transitional elements between the story's quarters. Even if all plot points are present, missing the emotional and situational shifts can result in a story that feels slow, sloppy, or boring.