There are many ways of structuring a story. I realize that when I write for RPG-campaign its mostly worldbuilding and loose outlines of what will probably or possible happen, then I trust my players and my improvisation to lead the story ahead. But if I am to actually write a real story in some capacity I will need some kind of structure and I think I will start with a simple three act structure, Beginning, Middle and End. So this is the format I think I want to follow:
Act 1 - The Beginning
Introduce the main character(s) and establish their ordinary world. Show their daily life, routines, and any challenges they may face.
Introduce the central conflict or problem that will drive the story. This conflict should disrupt the protagonist's ordinary life and set the stage for the main journey.
Set the tone and mood of the story, giving readers a sense of the genre, atmosphere, and themes.
End this act with a turning point or an event that propels the main character(s) into the next phase of the story.
Act 2 - The Middle
The middle of the story is typically the longest part and involves the development and complications of the central conflict.
The protagonist faces obstacles, challenges, and setbacks that make it difficult to achieve their goal. These challenges may force the character to confront their flaws and grow.
Introduce subplots and secondary characters that add depth to the story and provide different perspectives.
Include moments of rising tension and suspense as the main character(s) work toward their goal.
The midpoint of Act 2 often involves a major turning point that shifts the direction of the story or changes the main character's approach.
As Act 2 progresses, the stakes should increase, and the main character(s) should be pushed to their limits.
Act 3 - The End
The final act brings the story to its climax, where the central conflict reaches its peak.
The protagonist faces their ultimate challenge and confronts the main obstacle head-on.
Character growth and transformation become evident as the main character(s) learn from their experiences and make important choices.
Resolve the central conflict and tie up loose ends. This resolution should feel satisfying and provide a sense of closure.
End the story with a clear aftermath, showing how the characters' lives have changed and what their futures hold.
My story
I have an Idea of a young woman, lets call her X that lives on earth during the alien occupation. The commune where she lives have some ancient dark magic. And in my world the dark forces from the the deep is what the aliens is here to eradicate. Radicalization in the sect makes her want to leave the commune and venture out into the world and leaving everything she knows behind. She realize that the dark power within her is a destructive force, something that should not be used lightly. After a time alone she meets a group that wants to leave earth but because they all have been touched by the dark forces they cannot join the waiting list to get migrated by the Aliens. There is a plan to join one of the private alien recruiters but to be allowed to leave earth they all need to go through the screening process and their secret will be reviled. They will need to do some hard stuff to be able to get on to the recruiter ship and leave earth. Their morals and ethics will be tested and they will battle with the dark powers they carry.
Lets try to fit that into the structure:
Act 1 - The Beginning:
Introduction of X: Introduce X, a young woman living in a commune on Earth during the alien occupation. Describe her life within the commune, her routines, and her connection to the ancient dark magic that resides there.
Establishing the Setting: Set up the cosmic horror and existential dread of the world. Describe the Rupture, the Taint, and the oppressive presence of the Murajiv alien race.
Conflict and Radicalization: Show X's growing discontent with the commune and her attraction to the dark power. Introduce the idea of radicalization within the commune and how it pushes her to question her place in this world.
Inciting Incident: X witnesses or experiences an event that finally propels her to leave the commune and venture into the larger world. This event should be connected to the struggle against the dark forces or the oppressive alien occupation.
Act 2 - The Middle:
Solo Journey and Self-Discovery: X embarks on her solo journey, navigating a dark and dystopian but sometimes very beautiful earth. She grapples with the dark power within her, struggling to understand and control it. This section could involve her encountering various challenges, dangers, and allies along the way.
Meeting the Group: X meets a group of individuals who share her connection to the dark forces. They have all been touched by the corruption, making them outsiders trapped on earth but not feeling that they belonging anywhere. The group's dynamics, conflicts, and common goals should be explored. A mentor in the group, one that understands more about the dark arts is the natural leader.
Desire to Leave Earth: The group learns about the opportunity to leave Earth with private alien recruiters. However, due to their connection to the dark forces, they cannot easily pass the screening. This becomes their collective goal - to leave the planet and escape the oppressive regime.
Personal Struggles: X's internal conflict intensifies as she grapples with the realization that her dark power is destructive. The mentor reminds her of the radical people of her commune and the starts to doubt his leadership. But she undergoes training, attempts to harness the power responsibly, and faces moments of doubt and temptation.
Act 3 - The End:
The Plan: The group formulates a plan to join a private alien recruiter ship. The group observe the rigorous security of the aliens space harbor. They talk to ruthless people of the city and when everything seems impossible an opportunity opens, but they need to act fast. They find an alien recruiter that the mentor warns them about. He is a corrupt character but X talks the mentor into going with the alien.
Moral Dilemmas and Sacrifices: As the group progresses through the plan, they encounter moral dilemmas and challenges that test their resolve. They must make difficult decisions and personal sacrifices to sneak into the space harbor and get to the ship before it leaves.
Climax: The climax occurs during the most dangerous part, Alien guards realize that they are unauthorized. X and the Mentor work their dark arts to help the rest of the group, in the end the mentor sacrifices himself and X needs to run to get onto the ship that is departing.
Resolution: The story concludes with the group's fate determined by the outcome of the screening process. Whether they succeed in joining the recruiter ship or not, they have undergone profound transformations and growth. X, in particular, has learned to respect the power she possesses and the importance of using it responsibly.
I think that sounds about right, Now I just need to fill out the blank... but more of that in the future.
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