1. What Dramatic Throughline should I use?
Random: 2 – The main character is defeated. Due to weakness.
2. What type of Conflict works best for my story?
Random: Paranormal conflict
3. Which Genre should I select?
SATIRE: Irony, sarcasm, or caustic wit used to attack or expose.
4. What Structure Model works best?
Fate In the Fate structure, the Climax takes place at the beginning of the story as well as at the end. What follows from this Opening Climax is a flashback, or two, of events that led to the Climax just seen. Following the Final Climax is the Resolution, which is what the reader has been waiting for. “What happened to the character after the Climax?” is the real question that keeps the reader reading.
5. How many Situations will I use?
In the Objective Daring Enterprise the Object is not emotionally connected to the Leader. Think of a Gamble, a Treasure Hunt, an Investment, an Adventure, a War, and Politics. The Bold Leader may want to take a Gamble because he wants an Object, but the reasons that motivate him are not personal and perhaps not noble. His whole life, or that of others, is not dependent upon him finding it; it is just something he wants at the time. Maybe he only wants it because his adversary wants it. He may embark on the Daring Enterprise just to get the job done and become famous for having done it. He hasn’t invested himself emotionally in the Object. He takes a Gamble, wins or loses, and moves on. His motivation is usually for personal gain, in a somewhat greedy sense.
Clara Ann Martin, vampiress, who’s a gun runner, hears about a special weapon created in some place in the midwest, and has to find it.
The adversary, Richard (Dick) Parker, is a man who finds out, at the last minute, that he’s a special vampire hunter.
The vampire dies. Start with the death (but it’s the vampire’s final death).
BEGINNING: A Bold Leader realizes there is an Object he desires. After careful investigation he thinks he knows where it is.
• What type of Object is it? Person? Place? Thing? Dragon’s Tears, a Chinese stone that will grant vampires ability to walk in the sun and be humanish, not having to drink blood.
• How important is the Object to him? How will you show this?
• Where is the Object?
• Does the Object want to be found? If it’s a person, does he want to be rescued or helped? If it’s an Object, are there ancient spells upon it to keep thieves away?
• Are there any people around trying to cast doubt on him?
• When does the Adversary make himself known? How much power does he have?
• Why does the Adversary work against the Bold Leader?
• Is there more than one Adversary?
MIDDLE: The Bold Leader overcomes obstacles as he goes after the Object.
• Does the Object’s location play a role in creating obstacles?
• How many resources will the Bold Leader need to get the Object?
• Are there any secondary characters working against the Bold Leader? Friends or family who don’t support him?
• Does the Bold Leader become more determined to reach the Object when met with obstacles or does he have moments where he is about to give up?
• What kind of unexpected obstacles can you add to spice things up? Throw some obstacles in the Adversary’s way, too.
END: The Bold Leader finds the Object. It was everything he dreamed it would be, or the victory is bittersweet as he realizes it doesn’t bring him what he wanted.
• Is this a happy ending? Or does the Bold Leader realize the Object can’t bring him happiness?
• Will the Bold Leader decide to leave the Object where it is? Or take it with him so he can reap the benefits? Does he abandon his original goal for a new one?
• What happens to the Adversary? Is he still trying to get the Object, vowing to return again someday when the Bold Leader least expects it?
• How does the story change the life of the Bold Leader? What happens to all those who helped him?
Based on: Schmidt, Victoria Lynn (2011-01-21). Story Structure Architect Writers Digest Books. Kindle Edition.