Stories & Drafts

Plot Factory Studios makes a distinction between our story model and drafts.

What is the difference between stories and drafts?

Stories are where you manage the story title, description and other "meta" information. Drafts are where the actual content is written.

You may create copies of exists drafts and try out different branches for your story. Perhaps you'd like to change the plot structure, but you want to preserve your current work as is. You can safely copy it and be fearless with your edits. If you decide you do not like the changes you have made, simply delete that draft and go back to the original.

Draft Structure

There are two types of drafts: parts enabled, and standard drafts. Drafts that have parts enabled are split between a part (or act), chapters and scenes. Drafts that do not have parts enabled have a simpler chapters/scenes structure.

Here are some great story structure examples that may benefit from having a parts enabled.

The Three Act Structure

• Part I: Setup
  • Ordinary World
  • Inciting Incident
  • First Plot Point
    • Propels protagonist into Part II, there is no turning back
• Part II: Confrontation
  • New World/Situation
  • Rising Action
  • Midpoint
  • Complications
  • Second Plot Point
    • Lowest point for protagonist
• Part III: Resolution
  • Climax
  • Falling Action
  • Resolution

The Hero's Journey

• Part I: Setup
  • Ordinary World
    • Hero's normal life before transformation
    • Establishes what's at stake
  • Call to Adventure
    • The inciting incident that disrupts normalcy
    • Presents the central quest or challenge
  • Crossing the Threshold
    • Hero commits to the adventure
    • Leaves the familiar world behind
• Part II: Confrontation
  • Tests, Allies, and Enemies
    • Hero learns the rules of the new world
    • Gathers companions and faces opposition
  • Approach to the Inmost Cave
    • Preparation for the major challenge
    • Hero confronts fears and doubts
  • Ordeal
    • The crisis point where hero faces greatest fear
    • Moment of apparent death or failure
  • Reward (Seizing the Sword)
    • Hero survives and gains something from the experience
    • Knowledge, object, or reconciliation achieved
  • The Road Back
    • Hero begins journey back to ordinary world
    • Often involves a chase or moment of rededication
• Part III: Resolution
  • Resurrection
    • Final test where hero must use everything learned
    • Transformation is complete
  • Return with the Elixir
    • Hero returns home changed
    • Brings something to benefit the ordinary world
  • New Equilibrium
    • Hero's world is restored but transformed
    • Wisdom gained benefits others