In a new post, Janice Hardy suggests three steps you can use to write a story arc that draws readers into your novel. “At its most basic, a story arc is the trajectory that a story takes from its beginning to its end,” she explains. “But a well-crafted story arc is much more than that. It’s the engine that drives a story forward, the structure that gives it shape, and the journey that takes readers on an emotional roller coaster.”
- Write down how the story starts. “Every story needs a strong beginning to capture readers’ attention and set the stage for what’s to come,” Hardy says. “The beginning of your story should introduce the main character and their world, and give readers a sense of what’s at stake. It’s when readers realizes that something is about to happen, and they buckle up for the ride.” The key question to answer is what sets the story arc in motion. Consider what your protagonist wants, their obstacles, and what’s at stake if they fail.
- Write down the story problems. “This is where you introduce the main conflict, and set up the obstacles your character will need to overcome,” Hardy writes. “The problems start piling up, the stakes get higher, and the tension mounts.” Identify the main problem your character needs to solve, whether it’s physical or psychological. Brainstorm how those obstacles become increasingly difficult throughout the course of your novel, and how they challenge your protagonist’s beliefs, values, and abilities.
- Write down the resolution. “This is where your character faces their biggest challenge yet, and either succeeds or fails,” Hardy notes. “It’s the payoff for everything that has come before it, and where the problems of the story are resolved, the main character’s arc is completed, and the themes of the story are brought to the forefront.” Figure out how your protagonist overcomes the main problem. Do they use wits, physical skills, or something else? “The reader should feel like the resolution is inevitable, but they should also be surprised by the specific way that it plays out,” Hardy says. “This can be achieved through plot twists, unexpected character choices, or surprising revelations.”
