15 crucial movements every story needs
Narrative structure is crucial to the success of a story. Certain events or "movements" drive the plot, character development, and overall narrative arc. Shawn Coyne's 'The Story Grid' presents a practical framework outlining fifteen crucial movements essential for a coherent and engaging story. These movements, divided across the three acts typical of a three-act structure, offer a solid foundation for building your narrative.
Act 1: The beginning hook
The first inciting incident (movement 1)
The inciting incident is the event that propels your story into motion. It introduces the central conflict and prompts the protagonist's journey.
The first complication (movement 2)
The first complication should disrupt the status quo, increasing the stakes for the protagonist and adding complexity to their journey.
The first crisis (movement 3)
The first crisis should create a dilemma for your protagonist, demanding a response that will significantly affect their journey.
The first climax (movement 4)
The first climax involves the protagonist's response to the crisis. This event should be exciting and engaging, revealing more about the character while driving the story forward.
The first resolution (movement 5)
The first resolution concludes Act 1, wrapping up the immediate plot events while setting the stage for the events of Act 2.
Act 2: The middle build
The second inciting incident (movement 6)
The second inciting incident introduces new challenges or escalates existing ones, thrusting the protagonist further into their journey.
The second complication (movement 7)
The second complication should make the protagonist's journey even more difficult, raising the stakes and increasing tension.
The second crisis (movement 8)
The second crisis presents another significant dilemma for the protagonist, further testing their resolve and character.
The second climax (movement 9)
The second climax is the protagonist's response to the second crisis. This event should escalate the tension and excitement, bringing the conflict to a head.
The second resolution (movement 10)
The second resolution wraps up Act 2, resolving immediate issues while setting the stage for the climactic events of Act 3.
Act 3: The ending payoff
The third inciting incident (movement 11)
The third inciting incident, often more intense, paves the way for the final confrontation and resolution of the story.
The third complication (movement 12)
The final complication should bring the story's conflicts to their highest point, creating maximum tension and suspense.
The third crisis (movement 13)
The third crisis presents the ultimate challenge for the protagonist, pushing them to their limits and setting up the final climax.
The third climax (movement 14)
The third climax is the final confrontation, where the protagonist must face the story's central conflict. This event should be the most dramatic and significant in the story.
The third resolution (movement 15)
The final resolution concludes the story, tying up loose ends, resolving character arcs, and providing a satisfying conclusion to the protagonist's journey.
Weaving a compelling narrative: The interplay of crucial movements and genre-specific scenes
With the blueprint of the 15 crucial movements, you can add scenes specific to your genre to complete your narrative structure. Given an average novel length, you require about 35 additional scenes, each chapter ideally around 2000 words, rounding off the narrative and further enriching the story. You can create an engaging, coherent, and satisfying story by incorporating these fundamental movements with a clear understanding of genre-specific elements.
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References
- Coyne, Shawn. 2015. The Story Grid. New York, NY: Black Irish Entertainment.
