Plot Structures
| Structure | Pattern |
|---|
| Three-Act | Setup → Confrontation → Resolution |
| Hero's Journey | Ordinary World → Call → Refusal → Mentor → Trials → Crisis → Return |
| Save the Cat | 15-beat screenplay structure — Opening Image → Theme → Catalyst → Break into 2 → Midpoint → Dark Night → Finale |
Show, Don't Tell
| Tell | Show |
|---|
| "She was angry" | "Her knuckles whitened around the coffee mug. She didn't blink." |
| "The room was messy" | "Pizza boxes stacked three deep. A sneaker hung from the ceiling fan." |
| "He was nervous" | "He checked his watch. Then his phone. Then his watch again. Eighteen seconds had passed." |
Dialogue Rules
| Rule | Example |
|---|
| Each speaker = new paragraph | Visual cue for who's talking — never bury two speakers in one paragraph |
| Use "said" 90% of the time | Invisible — whispered, shouted, and murmured draw attention to themselves |
| Dialogue is not real speech | Real conversation is full of ums and tangents. Fictional dialogue is polished real speech |
Pro Tip: Write the first draft with the door closed — no editing, no judgment. Write the second draft with the door open — now you're crafting. Perfectionism is the enemy of finishing.