Story Archetypes
Most or all of the stories ever written fall into 7 plot structures, known as Story Archetypes. Look to them for inspiration when thinking of a story line to write.
(Please note that except for comedy, this has been shamelessly copy/pasted from Wikipedia, but their definitions fit really well)
Overcoming the Monster - The protagonist sets out to defeat an antagonistic force (often evil) which threatens the protagonist and/or protagonist's homeland.
Rags to Riches - The poor protagonist acquires power, wealth, and/or a mate, loses it all and gains it back, growing as a person as a result.
The Quest - The protagonist and companions set out to acquire an important object or to get to a location. They face temptations and other obstacles along the way.
Voyage and Return - The protagonist goes to a strange land and, after overcoming the threats it poses to them, they return with experience.
Comedy - Light and humorous character with a happy or cheerful ending; a dramatic work in which the central motif is the triumph over adverse circumstance, resulting in a successful or happy conclusion.[3] Booker makes sure to stress that comedy is more than humor. It refers to a pattern where the conflict becomes more and more confusing, but is at last made plain in a single clarifying event. The majority of romance films fall into this category.
Tragedy - The protagonist's character flaw or great mistake which is their undoing. Their unfortunate end evokes pity at their folly and the fall of a fundamentally good character.
Overcoming the Monster - The protagonist sets out to defeat an antagonistic force (often evil) which threatens the protagonist and/or protagonist's homeland.
Rags to Riches - The poor protagonist acquires power, wealth, and/or a mate, loses it all and gains it back, growing as a person as a result.
The Quest - The protagonist and companions set out to acquire an important object or to get to a location. They face temptations and other obstacles along the way.
Voyage and Return - The protagonist goes to a strange land and, after overcoming the threats it poses to them, they return with experience.
Comedy - Light and humorous
-a dramatic work in which the central motif is the triumph over adverse circumstance, resulting in a successful or happy ending
-It refers to a pattern where the conflict becomes more and more confusing, but is at last made plain in a single clarifying event.
Tragedy - The protagonist's character flaw or great mistake which is their undoing. Their unfortunate end evokes pity at their folly and the fall of a fundamentally good character.
Rebirth - An event forces the main character to change their ways and often become a better person. - An event forces the main character to change their ways and often become a better person.
(Please note that except for comedy, this has been shamelessly copy/pasted from Wikipedia, but their definitions fit really well)
Overcoming the Monster - The protagonist sets out to defeat an antagonistic force (often evil) which threatens the protagonist and/or protagonist's homeland.
Rags to Riches - The poor protagonist acquires power, wealth, and/or a mate, loses it all and gains it back, growing as a person as a result.
The Quest - The protagonist and companions set out to acquire an important object or to get to a location. They face temptations and other obstacles along the way.
Voyage and Return - The protagonist goes to a strange land and, after overcoming the threats it poses to them, they return with experience.
Comedy - Light and humorous character with a happy or cheerful ending; a dramatic work in which the central motif is the triumph over adverse circumstance, resulting in a successful or happy conclusion.[3] Booker makes sure to stress that comedy is more than humor. It refers to a pattern where the conflict becomes more and more confusing, but is at last made plain in a single clarifying event. The majority of romance films fall into this category.
Tragedy - The protagonist's character flaw or great mistake which is their undoing. Their unfortunate end evokes pity at their folly and the fall of a fundamentally good character.
Overcoming the Monster - The protagonist sets out to defeat an antagonistic force (often evil) which threatens the protagonist and/or protagonist's homeland.
Rags to Riches - The poor protagonist acquires power, wealth, and/or a mate, loses it all and gains it back, growing as a person as a result.
The Quest - The protagonist and companions set out to acquire an important object or to get to a location. They face temptations and other obstacles along the way.
Voyage and Return - The protagonist goes to a strange land and, after overcoming the threats it poses to them, they return with experience.
Comedy - Light and humorous
-a dramatic work in which the central motif is the triumph over adverse circumstance, resulting in a successful or happy ending
-It refers to a pattern where the conflict becomes more and more confusing, but is at last made plain in a single clarifying event.
Tragedy - The protagonist's character flaw or great mistake which is their undoing. Their unfortunate end evokes pity at their folly and the fall of a fundamentally good character.
Rebirth - An event forces the main character to change their ways and often become a better person. - An event forces the main character to change their ways and often become a better person.