Introduction

Welcome to July, my Authors of Tomorrow! I hope everyone’s been developing their fictional worlds with a thorough hand. I’ve been working through the Writers of the Future Free Workshop to work on a short story idea. The section I’m currently working through is requiring a two page write up of my world. If you haven’t signed up for that course yet, once again it’s free, and it’s well worth it. I’ll drop the link in the writer’s resources again at the bottom of the page.

For those of you from the USA, happy Fourth of July! I hope everyone has fun weekend plans if you can. I’m headed out to Bear Lake for some sun and fun.

In today’s featured article you’ll find the third installment of the Essentials of Science fiction and Fantasy: Plot Structure. Famous stories aren’t just great because of their characters. A story needs a certain cohesion in order to support the great characters. Structure is supposed to be basic, and easy for all to implement, but why are there still so many stories without it? Sometimes it’s the small things that create the biggest gaps. Read more on this below.

Essentials of Science Fiction and Fantasy: 3-Plot Structure

Every well-written story is like a building, and each element of fiction supports the structure in a different way. World-building tells your readers where the building is and what to be wary of. Characters fill the space within the world you’ve created and are the new friends/enemies your readers will meet. Plot structure serves as the scaffolding upon which the narrative of a science fiction or fantasy story is constructed, guiding readers through its twists and turns.

Plot structure can come in many forms. From the Save the Cat model to the Three-Act Structure, you’ll want to try all of them at least once. One of my favorite quotes is “try everything once and the good things twice.” It’s important that you try all the structures at least once so you know which one will work the best for you. Structure can be the make or break for your novel.

In genres known for their imaginative settings and fantastical elements, readers of science fiction expect a well-crafted plot to provide the framework that allows these elements to shine. Structure allows for the setting and fantastical elements to be explored in a logical fashion. Your reader may or may not be familiar with the world they’re being introduced to, so they want to have some form of comfort even if they don’t realize it. Plot structure is that comfort.

Most readers are more astute than they may realize as they’ve consumed stories their entire life. They word issues with plot as something wasn’t right, or didn’t seem to fit, or they didn’t know what was wrong, but they just didn’t enjoy the story. More often than not, this is a plot structure issue.

Without a strong plot structure to anchor the story, even the most inventive worlds and characters can feel disjointed or aimless. Before you worry that I’m encouraging extensive plotting for the discovery writers, I’m not. The strong plot structure doesn’t always come from the preparation, but through revisions. Discovery writers can study the reverse outline method to find and create that strong plot structure.

Many worry about their story becoming formulaic when it comes to structure. In reality, we’re giving the reader what they hope for. How many science fiction or fantasy stories have you read knowing that the hero will be nearest death just before he climbs out of the pits of Hell to defeat the story enemy? You live for those moments as a reader, that high you get from feeling as lost as the character, but they don’t give up even if you would have.

Plot structure becomes essential for creating a cohesive and satisfying reading experience. I highly recommend K. M. Weiland’s writing books because she covers this in great detail. Most stories critical story events line up with a room of about 5-10% difference. The reason your story may feel dull at some points is because you went with the easiest answer at those critical points. The event like the dark night of the soul, or maybe your 5 part climax, is lacking because you went with the most logical path and you didn’t challenge your characters enough. Try out idea #4 or #5 instead of #1-3.

Plot structure provides the framework for introducing conflict, building tension, and delivering satisfying resolutions. These are the elements that readers most readily recognize. When readers finish a book either by throwing it across the room at a far wall or slowly closing it with a satisfied sigh, you can than your well structured plot. The conflict and tension should be building up throughout your plot structure, and then the ending should allow for a nice resolution. This doesn’t mean you have to close all the story threads in the book, but the plot structure ensures close out the story problem. Your readers will leave feeling as if they read the book for a reason, and will be more likely to recommend it to other readers.

Well-structured plots are crucial for science fiction or fantasy stories, giving a strong foundation for the story. It helps authors enhance their creativity by providing a solid foundation for constructing imaginative worlds and complex characters. Knowing and using good plot structures can make stories more interesting and enjoyable for readers. By learning different writing techniques and using them wisely, you can create a captivating story that resonates with readers and keeps them engaged.

Essentials of Science Fiction and Fantasy Summaries

• World-Building and Why We Care
  • Maintain consistency and immersion within the rules and logic of the world you’ve created. Ensure that the details, such as technology, magic systems, and societal norms, align with the established world-building elements. Contradictions or convenient plot choices that defy the world’s internal logic can break the reader’s suspension of disbelief.
  • Craft a detailed and immersive world that serves as a foundation for characters and stories to unfold naturally. World-building elements like geography, culture, history, and systems of magic or technology should impact the plot, character actions, and thematic exploration. Well-developed world-building can create opportunities for conflict, character development, and thematic depth, while also providing an engaging escape for readers.
• Character Development and Connection
  • Ground the narrative and provide an emotional connection for readers through well-developed characters. Characters serve as a lens through which readers experience and perceive the new worlds you’ve created. Fully fleshed-out characters with inner struggles, emotions, and unique perspectives help readers invest emotionally and make the fantastical elements feel real.
  • Use characters to expand the reader’s understanding of the world and its complexities. Give characters contrasting viewpoints, opinions, and subjective experiences of the same world. This highlights different facets of the world-building and raises thought-provoking questions, enriching the reader’s immersion in the fictional universe.
• Plot Structure
  • Plot structure is a key element in science fiction and fantasy writing. It helps build the world, develop characters, and keep the story flowing smoothly. It gives readers a cozy and familiar reading experience, even in unusual or magical settings.
  • Try different plot structures to find what works best for their storytelling style, like Save the Cat or Three-Act Structure. When a plot is well-structured, it adds tension, conflict, and resolution to make the reading experience more satisfying and memorable.

Author Spotlight: J. R. R. Tolkien

J. R. R. Tolkien, or John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) is known throughout the world as the author of The Lord of the Rings, a work of fiction that has inspired countless authors. While Tolkienestate.com refers to him as a writer, artist, scholar, and a linguist, we’re going to focus today on his writing. Tolkien was a prolific writer in the realm of Middle Earth, but what is less known that he wrote children’s stories, comics, and poetry. It may not be surprising that many of those elements found their ways into the stories J. R. R. Tolkien is adored for. He truly shaped many of the dynamics of fantasy stories.

Tolkien’s Contribution to Fantasy Literature

Tolkien’s creation of Middle-earth not only set the standard for epic fantasies but also revolutionized the way authors approach world-building. His meticulous attention to detail, from the intricate maps to the rich languages and cultures, has inspired countless writers to craft immersive and expansive secondary worlds. While the way these worlds are presented may have changed with the times, readers of fantasy, and specifically epic fantasy, want the most developed worlds the author can provide.

The mythologies and languages created by Tolkien showed how mythology and language could add depth and make fantasy worlds more immersive. Through the mythology, he added a sense of history and culture to a foreign world. Mythology can be an easy way to share beliefs and fears of the created worlds. The use of language added to the cultural diversity and made multi-cultural approaches a staple in fantasy literature.

Tolkien used many plot structure elements that are still embraced by modern writers. The Hero’s Journey, ensemble casts, and multiple storylines allowed for a good vs. evil dichotomy in the created worlds. Through these structures, Tolkien was able to take fantasy from the realm of fairytales to quest narratives with the depth of worlds for readers to get lost in.

World-building is now a central element to any fantasy writer’s practice. The relation between world and story has become so intertwined in fantasy literature that it would feel like a loss if it wasn’t there. This intricate process involves not only the creation of diverse and captivating landscapes, but also the development of complex societies, cultures, and histories interwoven with the plot.

It encompasses the evolution of character archetypes, their motivations, and the significance of their roles within the narrative.

Furthermore, world-building in fantasy literature often delves into the use of prophecies and ancient lore, adding layers of mystery and depth to the storyline. The integration of magical systems within the fabric of the world further enhances the immersive experience for readers, as they are transported to realms where extraordinary powers and enchanting phenomena are seamlessly intertwined with the characters and their quests.

J.R.R. Tolkien had a huge impact on fantasy literature. His creation of Middle-earth set a new standard for world-building, showing the power of details, languages, and mythologies in crafting immersive fictional realms. His approach transformed fantasy into epic quests set in fully realized worlds with deep histories and diverse cultures.

Writing Exercise: The Unexpected Journey

Create a short story (1000-1500 words) that shows strong plot structure while incorporating elements of world-building and character development.

Instructions:

• World-building (15 minutes):
  • Create a brief outline of a unique science fiction or fantasy world. (You can pull this world from May’s exercise.)
  • Include:
    • One major cultural or technological aspect
    • A brief history or mythology
    • A challenge or conflict unique to this world
• Character Creation (10 minutes):
  • Develop two characters: (You can pull these characters from last month’s exercise.)
    • A protagonist from your created world
    • An antagonist or obstacle (this can be a person, creature, or force of nature)
• Plot Structure (15 minutes):
  • Outline your story using a three-act structure:
    • Act 1: Introduction and Inciting Incident
    • Act 2: Rising Action and Midpoint Twist
    • Act 3: Climax and Resolution
• Writing (45 minutes):
  • Write your short story, focusing on:
    • Introducing your world naturally through the characters’ experiences
    • Maintaining consistent internal logic of your world
    • Following your plot structure while allowing for creative twists
    • Challenging your characters with difficult choices
• Revision (15 minutes):
  • Review your story and make adjustments to:
    • Enhance the world-building details
    • Strengthen the plot structure
    • Deepen character development
• Reflection (10 minutes):
  • Consider the following questions:
    • How did the plot structure guide your storytelling?
    • In what ways did your world-building enhance the plot?
    • How did your characters interact with and reveal aspects of your world?

Remember, the goal is to practice integrating strong plot structure with effective world-building and character development. Don’t worry about perfection–focus on the process and learning from the exercise.

Community News

• Readercon 33, Quincy, MA, July 11-14, 2024. If you’re in that area, Readercon 33 is an annual conference focused on “imaginative literature” including the the speculative fiction genres we’ve been talking about this year. How this conference differs from many Spec-Fic conferences is that it only focuses on the literature and doesn’t include art shows, costumes, or gaming. Check out their website for more information.
• If you’re looking for a literary magazine to submit to this month, check out 7th-Circle Pyrite. This literary magazine aims to capture the “macabre, surreal, esoteric, magical, and spiritual aspects of life.” (https://www.7thcirclepyrite.com/about-us) They have a maximum of 2500 words per submission. Visit the Submissions section of their website for more information.
• Looking for a writing contest to enter? Is your story fall under the crime, speculative, or fantasy genres? Then check out the Inspiring Fiction’s Crime and Speculative Fiction Contest. Their theme for this submission group is Freedom. Submission Date is July 31, 2024. Submission Fee is £5. Learn more at https://www.inspiringfiction.com/contest.

Conclusion

As we conclude our exploration of plot structure in science fiction and fantasy this month, remember that mastering this element is crucial for creating engaging stories. Whether you meticulously plan your plots or discover them as you write, understanding and using effective plot structures will enhance your storytelling.

Experiment with models like Save the Cat or the Three-Act Structure, try everything once and the good things twice! As you craft your next tale, focus on building the scaffolding for your imaginative worlds and complex characters. Challenge yourself to make unconventional choices at critical story points and strive to create a cohesive, satisfying reading experience.

Happy writing, Authors of Tomorrow!

Don’t forget to explore the Writers of the Future resources I mentioned.

Keep creating new worlds, characters, and stories–your readers can’t wait for the next exciting adventure!

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