ASK A LITERARY CONSULTANT
Understanding structure
Helen Corner-Bryant, founding editor of Cornerstones Literar y Consultancy UK/US, says knowing how your book is structured will aid your writing process
The concept of story structure might feel restrictive but it can enhance your creative freedom as a novelist. It can help you protect your story’s integrity, streamline your writing process, and boost your confidence, all through an understanding of how and why stories are shaped the way they are. I’d advise that you learn to harness these techniques, no matter what type of writer you are. Think of structure as the technical scaffolding and underpinning of a story that allows you to take control without veering off into the wilds. It maps out key story building blocks, using the three-act structure or The Hero’s Journey, plotting the shape of the plot and character arcs, with interweaving cause and effect.