11. Five Plot Points and Story Grid

Four Story Structure Maps (Part 1): Five-Point Plot Structure and Story Grid’s Five Commandments

In this episode, Beth Barany introduces four story structure maps that have influenced her writing, noting that many more exist and that structure can feel overwhelming for first-time novelists but helps writers think of a story like a building.

In this episode, she covers two frameworks: the five-point plot structure from The Writer’s Brainstorming Kit by Pam McCutcheon and Michael Waite—ordinary world, trigger event, change of plans, black moment, and resolution—

And Shawn Coyne’s Story Grid “Five Commandments of Storytelling,” which begins with an inciting incident (causal or coincidence), followed by progressive complications and turning points, a crisis presenting incompatible choices, a climax as the key decision, and a resolution reflecting what the character realizes (or fails to realize in tragedies).

The next episode will discuss the hero’s journey and The Virgin’s Promise.

00:00 Story Maps Overview
 01:42 Five Point Plot
 02:19 Story Grid Commandments

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