Story Structure Architect: A Writer's Guide to Building Dramatic Situations and Compelling Characters [Paperback]

Victoria Lynn Schmidt (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

With Story Structure Architect, writers discover how to use the classical structures found in all literature since Greek mythology to create unique and successful works. Presented in a fun, 2-color illustrated design, this book:

-Walks readers through each step of the structuring process--from identifying characters to weaving in subplots to building conflict -Offers thousands of possible story combinations with its browsable and interactive index format -Features 56 timeless dramatic situations, plus a blank situation template writers can use as they structure their own work

These techniques apply to every genre--making this book a must-have resource for anyone who writes short fiction, novels, scripts, or plays.

About the Author

The author of 45 Master Characters, Victoria Lynn Schmidt, Ph.D. holds degrees in film production and creative writing and also has a Ph.D. in psychology. Victoria also works locally as a story analyst and writer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books (July 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582973253
• ISBN-13: 978-1582973258
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #120,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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  Books > Reference > Writing > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars help your plot structure and character motivations, December 27, 2005

By	Paladin08 (Folsom, CA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Story Structure Architect: A Writer's Guide to Building Dramatic Situations and Compelling Characters (Paperback)

Part 1 - Drafting a Plan
Six basic conflict types you need to decide upon as you structure your story. The 21 genres listed, though not extensive (the fantasy genre was highly lacking), helped realize that there are other niches open to me as a writer and not pigeon-hole myself.

Part 2 - Building the Structure
Eleven structures from the traditional 3-Act format to some non-traditional formats. No 4- or 5-Act structures covered here, but when you think about what is presented you can have some creativity in combining elements of different structures or taking away.

Part 3 - Adding Stories
Fifty-five dramatic situations that expand on the traditional 36 are explained well with examples from contemporary movies/books.
Character types and their motivations are presents which drive the types of story options listed. This helped me consider some additional motivations for my characters in my stories.

Overall this is a fantastic reference.
The book is practically a book of lists to pick and choose and consider as you construct your story. No fifteen examples to support a point and fill pages. The author keeps things straight and to the point letting the 270 pages consist of meaty, helpful information and not fluff. A must have for any reference library.

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars if you write seriously, i'd say buy it..., September 8, 2006

By	A. Smitley (Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Story Structure Architect: A Writer's Guide to Building Dramatic Situations and Compelling Characters (Paperback)

I just bought this book recently and devoured all of its contents from beginning to end in one long sitting. UNLIKE so many other books that claim to help a writer flesh out their novel and then only give vague refrences as to character and plot, this book just about details step-by-step how one can go about doing it.
Another reviewer commented that the print in the book is 'too small' and that it is very hard to read -NO. It has the same print size of any paperback novel.
Another reviewer said something about an error relating to the book saying that the book states that stories are either plot related or character related with the other taking second and then gives examples which are actually the same as each other. Well, i have the book in front of me and this is NOT true. What the book says is that (and you can skim the other reviews to find the one i'm talking about) plot driven stories have the characters REACTING to the events of the story and that character driven stories have the characters ACTING to cause the plot to further itself.
What this means is that in a character driven story if the main character(s) stop deciding to act, which will further the plot of the story because of what they then do, then the story would simply be over. Think of it like your main character deciding that they need milk for their cereal and decide to go to the store to get some. That decision furthers the plot but at any time during their trip to the store they could just as easily decide that they change their mind and don't need milk after all. Then they could just turn around and the story of them taking a trip to the store to buy milk would be over with their decision.
Plot driven stories are like if you are driving to the store to pick up some milk and then on the way there your tire blows out causing your car to veer off the road. When you wake from the crash you try to call on your cell phone for help but just as the operator picks up the line your battery dies. Then you are forced to walk and as you do a storm comes and drops tornados down all around you.
Can you see the difference? That is what the book explains and i think that the reviewer whom i mentioned earlier missed that point.
Anywho, this is a very well written book that explains the information within so well that it is hard not to understand it. Not only is there a great amount of detail to what is stated inside but there are numerous examples to follow and guide the reader.
In my opinion: buy it. I'm glad i did.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Valuable Compendium, August 13, 2006

By	Jeffrey D. Younger - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Story Structure Architect: A Writer's Guide to Building Dramatic Situations and Compelling Characters (Paperback)

Schmidt provides excellent coverage of the variegated structures of plot. The book is divided into four parts. The first explains how to plan a narrative. The second explains how to structure a plot. The third is a compendium of story structures. The fourth is a brief guide to research.

In the Part 1, Schmidt emphasizes character motivation and conflict. Unlike many books of its kind, "Story" clearly explains the relation between the "throughline," the conflict and the genre. If you aim to produce marketable works, this point is crucial. Schmidt covers this material at just the right depth, neither too theoretical nor too paraphrased.

However, in Part 1 you will find the only error in the book. The author makes a distinction between plot-driven stories and character-driven stories, but it is a distinction without a difference. According to Ms. Schmidt, a plot-driven story moves forward by events that "cause the characters to react to those events. Characters are secondary to the plot." On the other hand, a character-driven story moves ahead by "action and choices." Character-driven stories advance by the actions and choices of characters, while plot driven stories advance by the reactions of characters to events. The distinction claimed evaporates when we see that reactions invariably involve choices and actions, and moving ahead by "action and choices" invariably involves reaction to events.

For over 2,000 years, a good plot has been understood to be the logical and probable actions of characters. This is a plot-driven story. In some rare cases, the characters are not people, perhaps not even living. The long descriptive pieces in Hugo's "Toilers of the Sea" are a good example. A kind of story is told, but the characters are the Chanel Islands. So, to tell a story some kind of character must act. Good stories have logical and probable actions, but all stories have a plot.

The character-driven story places the focus on the development and changes in a character's character. Thus, character-driven (in this context) doesn't mean "an actor in a story" but rather "a characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something." Character-driven stories tell of the events that change the nature, personality, or individuating property of a character in the story.

In short, character-driven stories are a species of plot-driven stories that show how a character's character changes. (That's a mouthful!) A good example to study is "Heart of Darkness."

Part 2, is very interesting. Schmidt explains all the traditional plot structures, and even some modern twists on them.

Part 3, is the reason I bought the book. The author compiles a very comprehensive list of story structures, along with questions and examples. I can now stop relying on Bocaccio's "Decameron" for my story ideas!

Part 4 is very brief, but enough to get you going.

It's a good book. I'm glad I bought it.