“If you can't explain it to a six-year-old, you don’t understand it yourself.

”
-Albert Einstein

 Who is my main character? What is he like in his ordinary life?

 What does he want? Is there an extraordinary event that calls him to action?

 What is he willing to do to get what he wants?

 How do the character’s flaws prevent him from achieving his goal?

 What obstacles, internal or external, thwart him?

 Does he finally overcome the obstacles or is he unable to succeed?

 How is the character changed as a result of the struggle?

Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. One day ___. Because of that, ___.
Because of that, ___. Until finally ___.

You can keep repeating “Because of that, ____” for as long as necessary to get to
“Until finally ____.” But keep in mind that a plot should have rising action. If it
helps, think “Because of that, ____, which made things more complicated.”
Story Premise

Place London, England

SETTING
Time Christmas Eve, 1843

Name Ebenezer Scrooge

Background Scrooge is a wealthy London commodities trader whose

heart has been hardened by a lonely childhood, losing the
MAIN
love of his life and the death of his partner. Now he’s a
CHARACTER
miserly taskmaster who refuses to help the poor.

What does this To be remembered as having had a successful life.

character want?

Name The ghost of Jacob Marley

Relationship to MC Scrooge’s business partner, dead for seven years.

ANTAGONIST Background Condemned to wander the earth as a tormented spirit,

bound by the chains he forged through greed and avarice.

What does this To end his bondage by redeeming Scrooge.

character want?

What is happening at It is Christmas Eve, but amidst the gaiety of the season,
the beginning of the Scrooge’s miserly ways are hurting those around him. His
SITUATION
story? employee, Bob Cratchit, is too poor to care for his sickly son,
Tiny Tim.

What event upsets the Marley haunts Scrooge and tells him he will share Marley’s
INCITING
situation and introduces awful fate if he doesn’t change his ways.
EVENT
the main conflict?

How do the characters Scrooge refuses to acknowledge that anything is wrong with
react the inciting event? his life. Marley calls in the spirits of Christmas Past, Present
and Future to prove his case.

CONFLICT What sustains the The spirits of Past, Present, and Future arrive in turn
conflict? throughout the night, taking Scrooge first back, then
forward through time.

What are the stakes? Scrooge’s soul and Tiny Tim’s life.
 What choice must the If Scrooge helps the Cratchit family, he can save Tiny Tim’s
hero make? life and become a beloved man. If he refuses to help, Tiny
Tim will die and Scrooge will be despised after death.

Arc Structure
ACT 1 — THE BEGINNING

STORY ELEMENTS SCENE OR CHAPTER IDEAS

Opening Scene
Sets the tone for the story and introduces the protagonist.

Setup
Scenes that introduce the world & supporting characters, and
also hint at changes to come.

Inciting Incident
The surprise moment that turns the protagonist’s world upside
down and kicks off the main plot.

Call to Action
How do the characters react to the inciting incident? What
choice must the protagonist make?

ACT II, PART 1 — THE MIDDLE

STORY ELEMENTS SCENE OR CHAPTER IDEAS

The Choice
How does the protagonist decide to deal with the problem?
What are the stakes?

Rising Action / Mounting Problems

Troubles mount as the conflict kicks into high gear. What keeps
the protagonist going?

Midpoint / Reversal
A surprise event that wrecks the plan and raises the stakes,
often after a temporary triumph.
ACT II, PART 2 — AFTER THE REVERSAL

STORY ELEMENTS SCENE OR CHAPTER

IDEAS

More Troubles
There is fallout from the midpoint, continuing the conflict as problems
pile up.

Disaster
A moment when everything goes wrong and the goal appears
impossible to achieve.

Turning Point
New ideas or fresh inspiration offer hope and set up the story’s final
act.

ACT III — RESOLUTION

STORY ELEMENTS SCENE OR CHAPTER

IDEAS

Plan / Resolve
All the pieces are moved into place for the finale. Subplots tie together
and the stakes reach a peak.

Climax
The protagonist comes face to face with the antagonist or main obstacle
and is victorious… or fails.

Denouement
After the climax, the protagonist and/or world have changed. A final
scene provides closure to the story.
Chapter Breakdown

STORY SUMMARY

Describe your story in a few paragraphs, from beginning to end. Use this as a reference you can always
fall back on if you get stuck while writing.

CHAPTER & SCENE BREAKDOWN

Chapter 1
1. This is the first scene that you want in the story…

2. And this is the second scene. Add as many as you need!

3.

Chapter 2
1.

2.

3.

Chapter 3
1.

2.

3.

Chapter 4
1.

2.

3.

Chapter 5
1.
2.
 3.

Chapter 6
1.

2.

3.
Character Profile

Got a photo or drawing of this character? Drag & drop it Full Name:
here!
Age:

Occupation:

Situation:
How does this character enter your
story?

Motivation:
What does this character want?

APPEARANCE

Height

Body type / Build

Skin tone

Hair (style & color)

Eyes

Facial description

Prominent features or distinguishing marks

Style of dress

Mannerisms or gestures

SPEECH

Tone of voice
loud, quiet, harsh, etc.
 Language or accent

Favorite phrases

BEHAVIOR

Personality

Habits

Ambition

Greatest fear

Biggest secret

How does this character get along with other characters?

BACKGROUND

Where born/grew up

Important past events

Family

Current home

Finances

Occupation

Education

Health

Religion

Interests or hobbies
Character Biography

Name

Role in story

DATE AGE EVENTS

June 17, 1946 — Born in Brooklyn, NY to Julius (a doctor) and Marta (a scientist)

September, 1951 6 At her first day of school, Anita meets Bruno in the playground

World-Building

PLACE

Where is your story located?

What is the time period?

Describe the climate.

Describe the geography.

Where are the borders of this location, and what lies beyond?

What is the architecture like?

How do people typically get around?

What are the distinctive sights, sounds, and smells of this place?
PEOPLE

How many people live here?

Where do they live?

How do most people make a living?

How healthy is the economy? Are the people here rich or poor?

How well-educated are the people?

How diverse is the population? How well do different types of people get along?

What is family life like?

CULTURE

What is the history of this place?

What is the political situation like? Who are the leaders?

What languages are spoken?

How do the people dress?

What role does religion play in the culture? How about superstition?

What holidays are important and why?

What is the local cuisine like?

What are the popular forms of entertainment?

How does the younger generation differ from their parents?