I’m a very big believer in planning, and in structure. Story Structure requires certain elements to keep reader interest, and ignoring that is often to the peril of your novel.
Even assuming that you spend only 30 days writing it, then another 30 editing it into a second draft, then a final 60 days editing it… That’s still 120 days of your life spent on it… Plus your planning time. Let’s say you spent six months on that novel.
Half a year of your life will be wasted if you don’t learn story structure and try to use that to your advantage.
However, not all novels are linear in approach. Some of my favorite novels had a modern story line, and also a story line running simultaneously in the past. You could enjoy reading just the past, or just the present.
It’s a little harder then, because you only need one inciting event… but then you have to have the story structure running parallel to both.
Or lets’ say you paint yourself into a corner, and you write five parallel stories that converge in one major event halfway through the book.
Story structure just really went out the window. Aigh! How do you write that?
The story structure must resume AFTER the midpoint… and you can follow the framework (or ignore it to your peril).
Follow the “Tension/Conflict” curve. Don’t worry about making sure that it coincides with all five characters… you just have to keep referring to the minor characters from time to time to expand and complete their story.
Just make sure you complete their story as the major story takes precedence – as if their concerns suddenly are gone once the major event happens.
For readers, don’t assume that learning the rules will diminish your enjoyment of books. Not in the least! I found my enjoyment of books and movies are actually increased as I witness how the author used the framework to their advantage. One movie I literally was checking my watch as I recognized the story structure, and the writer had literally stuck to the required framework to the minute – and the reveal was the twist ending.
Get back to basics. Plan. write. Publish.
Repeat.
