Crafting Fiction: Story and Plot

When it comes to storytelling, one of the most essential distinctions to understand is the difference between story and plot. This blog will unpack that distinction, explore the relationship between story and character, and introduce you to the 10 fundamental story types. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, this guide will help you create compelling narratives. The ideas discussed here reflect some of the lessons I learned during a University of Cambridge course, 'Building Your Screenplay' - but they apply equally to fiction!

Story vs Plot: What’s the Difference?

Let’s begin with a question: what is story, and how does it differ from plot?

According to Philip Parker, a story is a motivational framework for a character—essentially, it’s about what drives them. A story focuses on an individual character and their motivations, making it distinct from both narrative and plot. Plot, by contrast, is the way various characters’ stories are woven together to create the dramatic shape of a narrative. In essence, the plot answers the question: what’s the most interesting way to combine and tell these stories?

For a character to be more than just a presence in a narrative, they need their own story. A fascinating character without action or motivation creates no drama, and without drama, there is no story. Stories, like themes, reflect universal human experiences, which is why they resonate across cultures and languages. Understanding the connection between a character and a story type is key to crafting a successful narrative.

The 10 Fundamental Story Types

Writers and theorists have long debated how many story types exist, often landing on the magic number 10. Philip Parker, in The Art and Science of Screenwriting, identifies the following story types:

1. The Romance
2. The Unrecognised Virtue
3. The Fatal Flaw
4. The Debt That Must Be Repaid
5. The Spider and the Fly
6. The Gift Taken Away
7. The Quest
8. The Rites of Passage
9. The Wanderer
10. The Character Who Cannot Be Put Down

Each of these story types is defined by a series of recognisable story beats that guide both writers and audiences. Let’s examine two examples:

• The Quest
  • The character is tasked with finding someone or something.
  • The character accepts the challenge.
  • The character embarks on a search.
  • The character is rewarded (or not) for their success.
• The Romance
  • The character feels an emotional lack.
  • They identify an object of desire (a person or solution).
  • Barriers prevent the character from achieving their goal.
  • The character struggles to overcome these barriers.
  • They succeed in overcoming some or all obstacles.
  • The story concludes with the resolution of the emotional problem.

These story beats provide a motivational framework for the character while meeting audience expectations.

Creating a Clear and Effective Storyline

To bring together story and character, follow this five-step process:

Step 1: Define What the Character Wants

Ask: What does the character want to achieve?

• This ensures your character is active rather than passive.
• It establishes their outer journey.

Step 2: Identify the Obstacles

Ask: What is stopping the character from achieving their goal? Consider:

1. The character’s personal flaw.
2. Conflicts with other characters (natural or supernatural).
3. Societal conflicts (e.g., religious or political beliefs).
4. A combination of the above.

Step 3: Explore Inner Growth

Ask: What does the character need to do or learn to grow?

• Do they need to confront a flaw?
• Acquire a new skill or knowledge?
• Change their worldview?

This provides the character’s inner journey.

Step 4: Choose the Story Type

Ask: Which of the 10 story types best suits this character’s story? This decision will help you structure the storyline.

Step 5: Write a Succinct Summary

Combine your answers into a concise paragraph (around 100 words). This paragraph will serve as the foundation of your character’s storyline.

Conclusion

Understanding the interplay between story, plot, and character is vital to crafting engaging narratives. By identifying your character’s motivations, recognising obstacles, and choosing the right story type, you can create stories that resonate deeply with your audience. Whether you’re outlining your first draft or refining your final manuscript, these principles will help you tell stories that captivate and endure.

Finally, here's a downloadable one-pager: