Start with the End
- Where do we Finish?
- Was the Story Ascending?
- Was the Story Descending?
- Was the Story Cyclic?
- Did we return where we began?
- What is the difference between the 1st & the Last Scene?
- How do we Finish?
- Will you have a sequel?
- What’s the Main emotion you want to produce?
- How Dramatic should the end be?
- How Desperate should the situation be?
- How Joyful should the characters be?
- How Peaceful should the situation be?
- How Exciting should the situation be?
- How Angering should the situation be?
- Was the Goal reached?
- What was the Initial Goal?
- What are the Different Outcomes?
- Could these Outcomes be expected?
- Who is Satisfied by them?
- How to choose your Themes?
- Select 3 Themes for your story.
- A Common theme.
- An Unusual theme.
- An Unpopular theme.
Then Introduce
- Where do we start?
- Atmosphere – Climate, Light, Colors.
- People – Quirks, Daily Conversations, Daily Life.
- Landscape & Landmarks – Animals, Plants, other Symbols.
- Organizations – Goal, Hierarchy, Leaders. (Optional)
- Keep it at 1-2 sentence for each element.
- Develop only if necessary.
- Setting
- Why are we here?
- What Attracted us here?
- What are the Limits of this Location?
- What are the Threats in this Location?
- Why do we need to move away from it?
- How do we start?
- Does the story begin with an Invasion/War/Insurrection?
- What are the consequences on the Resources/People?
- Did a Catastrophe/Industrial Accident occurred recently?
- What are the consequences on the Resources/Landscape?
- Is the main Character Pondering/Thinking/Resting?
- On what is she focused?
- By what is she Obsessed?
- Is she Gathered to the same place than other characters?
- Which issue do they have in common?
Characters
Make a Map of Characters Relationships.
- Protagonist
- What is her Goal?
- What is her Name?
- What are her Strengths?
- Do they make her Likable?
- Weakness?
- Do they make her Relatable?
- What are her Quirks?
- Do they make her Memorable?
- How is her face/body?
- What’s her main Accessory?
- What are her main Expressions?
- Antagonist
- What is her Goal?
- What is her Name?
- What are her Strengths?
- Do they make her Likable?
- Weakness?
- Do they make her Relatable?
- What are her Quirks?
- Do they make her Memorable?
- How is her face/body?
- What’s her main Accessory?
- What are her main Expressions?
- Support
- What is her Goal?
- What is her Name?
- What are her Strengths?
- Do they make her Likable?
- Weakness?
- Do they make her Relatable?
- What are her Quirks?
- Do they make her Memorable?
- How is her face/body?
- What’s her main Accessory?
- What are her main Expressions?
- How can she support the Protagonist?
- What Advantages does she bring?
- How can the Protagonist support her?
- What are her Issues?
The Exploration
- Why are we here?
- What are the Points of Interest?
- Landscape/Landmark
- Clues/Artifacts
- Attractive Characters
- What are the Limits/Threats?
- Physical Barriers
- Rules
- Organizations
- Every chapter is a series of Triggers & Consequences.
- What are the Triggers?
- What are the Consequences?
- Explore & Expand
- Chapter 2 – Early Threat is revealed
- The Early Threat may be the main antagonist, a secondary antagonist or a non-human element
- Meet 1 character which has been wronged by the Early Threat
- Chapter 5 – Gathering Information & Discovery
- The Protagonist Discovers there may be a Hidden Threat
- Meet Another character which has been wronged by the Early Threat
- Chapter 8 – Preparing for the End
- The protagonist confronts the Hidden Threat
- Encounters
- Guide/Soul is orienting the Protagonists actions.
- Advisor/Arbiter is questioning the Protagonist’s decisions.
- Sponsor/Supplier is funneling resources to the Protagonist.
- Protector/Rival is training the Protagonist.
- For each of them:
- What’s her Name/Goal?
- What are her Strengths/Weaknesses?
- What are her Quirks?
- How is she related to the Protagonist/Support/Antagonist?
The Crisis
- Why are we here?
- What are the Points of Interest?
- The Threat
- The Antagonist
- The Victim
- Does the environment look hostile?
- Crisis
- What are the Options?
- Fight
- Negotiate
- Surrender
- What are the Stakes?
- Life
- Resources
- Relationships
- What Happens?
- What is lost?
- What is acquired?
- Who is Responsible for it?
- Why did she do it?
- How did she do it?
- What’s the Outcome?
- How do Goals evolve?
- How do Relationships evolve?
- Crisis & Evolution
- Chapter 3 is the 1st Crisis : the Disruption Crisis.
- The Protagonist is forced to act to defend herself.
- Chapter 6 is the 2nd and Central Crisis.
- The Hidden Threat is revealed.
- Chapter 9 is the Last Crisis : The Unfolding/Revelation Crisis.
- Do they Protagonist Destroy/Vanquish the Hidden Threat?
- Do they Fail?
- Encounters
- Antagonist, can be any of the aforementioned character or a new one.
- Hidden Threat, can be any of the aforementioned character except the Antagonist.
- For each of them:
- What’s her Name/Goal?
- What are her Strengths/Weaknesses?
- What are her Quirks?
- How is she related to the Protagonist/Support/Antagonist?
The Rest
- Why are we here?
- Are we forced to quit a place?
- Are we Hiding?
- Are we waiting until the end of a cataclysm?
- Do we always return to the same place?
- How does it convey a sens of shelter?
- Where do the characters rest?
- How safe is this Location?
- Rest
- What do they eat?
- Where do they sleep?
- How do they entertain themselves here?
- What are the Points of Interest?
- What are the Limits of this Locations?
- What are the potential Threats?
- How do Relationships evolve?
- Can Characters be honest with each other?
- Anchors & Comfort
- Chapter 4, 1st Anchor – Resources
- The Protagonist anchors her relationships with supporters.
- She begins to gather resources.
- Chapter 7, 2nd Anchor – Recovery
- This is chapter serves as a recovery from the Central and most violent Crisis.
- The Protagonist’s Goal may change drastically.
