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From these, though, you can see perhaps the usefulness and limitations of using a template. If The Lord of the Rings had been this type story, it would have indeed ended when the evil was defeated.ДЄre there more plot templates? Probably. Here, Card says that something in the universe is out of balance and the protagonist must right-the-wrong, restore-the-rightful-king, restore justice, defeat evil, etc. This story begins and ends with pure character. This explains why Tolkein didnвЂ™t stop The Lord of the Rings when the battle against Mordor was won instead, because the focus is on the milieu, he continues on, following the hobbits home, the leaving of the elves and so on, until the Age of Men is established. The setting, culture, world created is the focus of the story. When the setting is in the forefront, as it is in many sff stories, you have a milieu story. Taking a completely different tack, Orson Scott Card in his book, Characters and Viewpoint, asks what aspect of the story are you most interested in? One strength of this approach is that it tells you where to start and end your story.The main thing here is that two characters act upon each other. This could be a sort of Rivalry story from above, a Love story, a Forbidden Love story, or even one of Pursuit, Rescue, or Escape. The Emotional Structure details how the characters interact. Similar to the HeroвЂ™s Journey is Peter DunneвЂ™s adaptation to a story in which two main characters influence each other, or one character drastically changes a second.John Vorhaus, in The Comic Toolbox adapts the heroвЂ™s journey into a Comic Throughline. You write comedy or humor and want a plot for a novel?.

Return with Elixir вЂ“ final mastery of the problem.

Resurrection вЂ“ final attempt at big change.

Approach to the Inmost Cave- preparing for big change.

Tests, Allies, Enemies вЂ“ experimenting with 1st change.

Crossing the First Threshold вЂ“ committing to change.

Meeting the Mentor вЂ“ overcoming reluctance.

Call to Adventure вЂ“ increased awareness.

Ordinary World вЂ“ Limited awareness of problem.

The basic stages, along with the corresponding character arc are these:

Christopher VoglerвЂ™s explanation of the HeroвЂ™s Journey is excellent.

HeroвЂ™s Journey: Adapted from Joseph CampbellвЂ™s Mythic Hero A rise or fall from power puts a character into this plot form. When a character is in a downward spiral from alcohol, drugs, greed, etc. You know those secrets youвЂ™ve buried deep in your past? This story digs around, exposes secrets and watches them affect the characters. From the Biblical tale of Jesus to the story of parents sacrificing for their children, this is a staple of literature. Oh, hasnвЂ™t Stephenie Meyer milked this one in her Twilight series? Brilliant use of the forces that keep her characters apart, while still attracting. Often, itвЂ™s just a hint of growth, or a tiny change that hints at larger changes.

Bildungsroman, rite of passage, coming-of-ageвЂ“these terms all refer to someone growing up morally, spiritually or emotionally. Similar to the previous, this plot features an inner change, instead of changing the outer form. ItвЂ™s Dracula, Beauty and the Beast, or the one I remember best is The Fly. If you recently watched the movie, вЂњDistrict 9вЂќ, youвЂ™ll recognize this plot form.

This is a physical transformation of some kind. This is the plot where the under-privileged (handicapped, poor, etc) triumphs despite overwhelming odds. Everyone is the US roots for the Underdog. Character oriented, this story follows two main characters, one on a downward track and one on an upward track and their interactions. Love a good mystery? This is the plot for you. Someone is wronged and vows to take revenge. Ah, character comes back in with this one. A variation on the Rescue is when the protagonist escapes on his/her own. Another easy to recognize action-oriented plot.

BLANK STAGE PLOT TEMPLATE SERIES

Plot oriented, this features a goal-oriented series of events. Character oriented story, the protagonist searches for something and winds up changing him/herself.

Blank stage plot template