Formulas

[sethp]

I've been unable to find what I'm looking for here or on the web. I'm looking for Novel Formulas for ideas. What I need is like a simple 10 point formula or something like that for writing novels. You know what I mean? What is the teen vampire formula? What is the basic heroic fantasy formula? What is the best selling Romance formula? What is the western Formula? What is the horror formula? Yes I reallize that every thing is different and writing by formulas isn't ideal but I want to mix genres and mess with the formulas but first I need to know what the formulas are? In fact formula might not be the word i'm looking for. Any help? Ideas? I'm looking for more the man vs. man or man vs wild or that a western is usually a simple story of redemption. i'm looking for more. Any tips links etc would be most appreciated!

 

[sethp]

Anyone?

 

[slyc_willie]

Sorry, Seth, but I've never believed in formulas other than conflict and resolution.

I know there is software out there for putting a basic story together; I googled "story writing formula" and got a bunch of links.

 

[sr71plt]

Sorry, Seth, but I've never believed in formulas other than conflict and resolution.

I know there is software out there for putting a basic story together; I googled "story writing formula" and got a bunch of links.

I agree. I'd be interested in seeing what they are (and trust they exist)--but wouldn't be any part of promulgating them.

I don't include computer generation of plots and such as within the scope of creative writing.

 

[slyc_willie]

I agree. I'd be interested in seeing what they are (and trust they exist)--but wouldn't be any part of promulgating them.

I don't include computer generation of plots and such as within the scope of creative writing.

The SO has one for writing simple fairy tale-type stories. It's handy for her job, but I wouldn't want to use it for creative writing.

 

[TE999]

I recall reading that there are eight basic plots in literature, and all stories spring from them or combinations therof. That's where creativity enters the picture.

Ever read anything composed by a computer program? *Yawn*

 

[Liar]

I just steal plots I like and change names and places.

 

[Miss_Misaki]

I just steal plots I like and change names and places.

To protect the innocent?

 

[slyc_willie]

To protect the innocent?

Or corrupt them.

 

[JackLuis]

I took an on line course from Chico State and the instructor used a three Act Formula. It sounds easy but it is not.

Title:
Theme:
Setting:

Act One
Stimulus
"The stimulus is an event that opens the story, using at least one element of the main character's past history, which will stimulate a new chapter in his life. That new chapter in his or her life is the story you intend to tell."

Polaris
Polaris occurs in that mid-section of Act One between the stimulus and the catalyst. I call it polaris so that we can understand that its function is active, not passive. In nuclear physics, when positive and negative are separated, it is called polarization. Still, when they are polarized, there is a vibrational, oscillating interplay between those forces. Such is the interchange between the stimulus and the catalyst when they are polarized in Act One.

Catalyst
"In chemistry, the catalyst is a substance which, when combined with a reactant that increases the rate of a chemical reaction, creates what is called a catalytic reaction. For your story, the catalyst is an actual event (plot) that occurs at the very last moment of Act One, which, powered by the protagonist's story and plot to that moment, will propel your main character into crisis at the first moment of Act Two. "

Act Two:
CRISIS:
"At the beginning of the second act, the protagonist, whose expectations in the first act were somehow reversed or upset by the catalyst, is suddenly in a state of emotional crisis. Physically, he/she should also be in some sort of crisis as well, as the plot must run parallel with the story."



CATHARSIS:
"Catharsis describes the process your main character must experience during the middle part of the second act, as he/she works out the dilemma his/her crisis has created for him or her. The psychoanalytical definition suits our purpose perfectly: ""A technique used to relieve tension and anxiety by bringing repressed material to consciousness."" (American Heritage Dictionary)"

Epiphany:
At the tail end of the second act, your protagonist, not yet a hero, has worked through his dilemma to the point where he or she comes upon an emotional realization of what was wrong, why it went wrong, and how he or she can take action to fix it. It is the moment when he finally understands his flaw. It is called an epiphany.

Act III:

Remedy
During the protagonist's epiphany, he discovers what he should have seen all along, and would have known had she not been stumbling over her own character flaw. It is called the remedy. Emotionally based, it is a physical element requiring a physical action to finally remedy the situation.Using the remedy, the protagonist will seek out the antagonist for a final confrontation. The very moment when the protagonist, using the remedy, finally defeats the antagonist is called the climax. It is a moment of triumph, both emotionally and physically.

"Climax
"Using the remedy, the protagonist will seek out the antagonist for a final confrontation. The very moment when the protagonist, using the remedy, finally defeats the antagonist is called the climax. It is a moment of triumph, both emotionally and physically.

Resolution
"Once the battle, represented by both the inner and outer conflicts, is won, the protagonist will be happy to see that the cause for which he fought has also been resolved. He is satisfied, and so are those who represent the cause that has been won."

 

[driphoney]

Wish I'd had this when i was attempting my first story. Am saving this for future reference. Not sure I can make it work, but it's a great tool to help a novice like me think through the plot and to resolve holes. I've seen similar and simpler looking models, but I guess I need more description. Thanks for taking the time to post.

As for the 8 models. I've heard that too and am curious. Some day I'm going to dig them up.

I took an on line course from Chico State and the instructor used a three Act Formula. It sounds easy but it is not.

Title:
Theme:
Setting:

Act One
Stimulus
"The stimulus is an event that opens the story, using at least one element of the main character's past history, which will stimulate a new chapter in his life. That new chapter in his or her life is the story you intend to tell."

Polaris
Polaris occurs in that mid-section of Act One between the stimulus and the catalyst. I call it polaris so that we can understand that its function is active, not passive. In nuclear physics, when positive and negative are separated, it is called polarization. Still, when they are polarized, there is a vibrational, oscillating interplay between those forces. Such is the interchange between the stimulus and the catalyst when they are polarized in Act One.

Catalyst
"In chemistry, the catalyst is a substance which, when combined with a reactant that increases the rate of a chemical reaction, creates what is called a catalytic reaction. For your story, the catalyst is an actual event (plot) that occurs at the very last moment of Act One, which, powered by the protagonist's story and plot to that moment, will propel your main character into crisis at the first moment of Act Two. "

Act Two:
CRISIS:
"At the beginning of the second act, the protagonist, whose expectations in the first act were somehow reversed or upset by the catalyst, is suddenly in a state of emotional crisis. Physically, he/she should also be in some sort of crisis as well, as the plot must run parallel with the story."



CATHARSIS:
"Catharsis describes the process your main character must experience during the middle part of the second act, as he/she works out the dilemma his/her crisis has created for him or her. The psychoanalytical definition suits our purpose perfectly: ""A technique used to relieve tension and anxiety by bringing repressed material to consciousness."" (American Heritage Dictionary)"

Epiphany:
At the tail end of the second act, your protagonist, not yet a hero, has worked through his dilemma to the point where he or she comes upon an emotional realization of what was wrong, why it went wrong, and how he or she can take action to fix it. It is the moment when he finally understands his flaw. It is called an epiphany.

Act III:

Remedy
During the protagonist's epiphany, he discovers what he should have seen all along, and would have known had she not been stumbling over her own character flaw. It is called the remedy. Emotionally based, it is a physical element requiring a physical action to finally remedy the situation.Using the remedy, the protagonist will seek out the antagonist for a final confrontation. The very moment when the protagonist, using the remedy, finally defeats the antagonist is called the climax. It is a moment of triumph, both emotionally and physically.

"Climax
"Using the remedy, the protagonist will seek out the antagonist for a final confrontation. The very moment when the protagonist, using the remedy, finally defeats the antagonist is called the climax. It is a moment of triumph, both emotionally and physically.

Resolution
"Once the battle, represented by both the inner and outer conflicts, is won, the protagonist will be happy to see that the cause for which he fought has also been resolved. He is satisfied, and so are those who represent the cause that has been won."

 

[CWatson]

On the actually-providing-formulas side of the scale, may I recommend TVTropes.org and its excellent index of So You Want To Write A... pages. It's not particularly complete, but it might give you some ideas.

In the meanwhile, what you should do on your own is read. A lot. What are your favorite genres? Well, read enough in them until you start seeing patterns. "Wow, everybody does this." "Wow, nobody does that." Then start asking yourself why they do it that way? Then start asking yourself if you can do it differently. Voila, you're genre-bending. ...And, genre-bending is something you can only do if you're familiar with the genre. Even if you read the, for instance, "So You Want To Write The Next Harry Potter" page, you won't understand it unless you've actually read Harry Potter, because there are too many details that will pass you by. That's how good writing works: the people who do it best are the people who love it best.

 

[sethp]

Sorry, Seth, but I've never believed in formulas other than conflict and resolution.

I know there is software out there for putting a basic story together; I googled "story writing formula" and got a bunch of links.

Hey! You are one of my favorite lit authors by the way! What do you mean by formula conflict and resolution?

 

[sethp]

I like that! Thanks!

 

[Xelebes]

Something like this, perchance?

=CONCATENATE(B1," ",C1," ",D1," ",E1," ",F1," ",G1," ",H1)

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

When the student is ready the teacher will come.

Next to shovelling shit against a tide, teaching people to write is the worst waste of good time.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

I just steal plots I like and change names and places.

Are you saying that before I changed the names and places again, those weren't original stories?

Liar, I'm disappointed in your dishonesty.



Q_C

 

[slyc_willie]

Hey! You are one of my favorite lit authors by the way! What do you mean by formula conflict and resolution?

Thank you, Seth.

Conflict and resolution mean exactly that. The hero(es) of your story have to have some kind of obstacle in the way of whatever they want (conflict), then a means of removing or surmounting the obstacle (resolution). That's the only real "formula" I use.

In a simple case, Character A wants to bump uglies with Character B, but Character C keeps getting in the way. A fights C, C loses, and A and B finally get drunk and screw, as the song would say. That's your basic erotic story. But what would make it really fun to read would be all the little extras: character quirks, a nosy neighbor, maybe the fight turns out to be a duel to the death, whatever. That's how you spice it up.

Writing a story isn't all that difficult. Keeping it interesting is the hard part.

 

[sethp]

Something like this, perchance?

=CONCATENATE(B1," ",C1," ",D1," ",E1," ",F1," ",G1," ",H1)

oh that's good.

 

[Xelebes]

Or maybe something like this:

=CONCATENATE(INDEX(article,1,INT(RAND()*COLUMN(article)))," ",INDEX(noun,1,INT(RAND()*COLUMN(noun)))," ",INDEX(verb,INT(RAND()*ROW(verb!A1:D1)),INT(RAND()*COLUMN(verb!A1:A650)))," ",INDEX(preposition,1,INT(RAND()*COLUMN(noun)))," "INDEX(noun,1,INT(RAND()*COLUMN(noun))))

Makes one sentence but should do the trick if you repeat ad nauseum.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I have no idea why writers get in a lather about formulas. Butchers, bakers, and candlestick-makers use formulas, why not writers!

Actually I do know why. Last night I read a new book about the appeal of irrationality. Its impossible to reason with most people because the cinch for them is the endorsement of a popular celebrity. If 15 year old Miley Cyrus sez NO FORMULA WRITING EVER! you'll embrace her opinion long before you'll accept the advice of an obscure professional. And you wont take Miley's advice if its outside her celebrity context.

 

[sethp]

thanks for all the info. I have a few things to go on here. Still looking for genre specific formulas. Why thought is. if every best selling romance had a formula. girl gets disowned by family. girl has tough time on her own. girl meets great guy ..great guy has girl who is really not a good person. Girl has confict with other woman.. guy sees girl for what she is. happily ever after. The formula is set.. but the writing and the author are what brings it to life?

 

[sethp]

I have no idea why writers get in a lather about formulas. Butchers, bakers, and candlestick-makers use formulas, why not writers!

Actually I do know why. Last night I read a new book about the appeal of irrationality. Its impossible to reason with most people because the cinch for them is the endorsement of a popular celebrity. If 15 year old Miley Cyrus sez NO FORMULA WRITING EVER! you'll embrace her opinion long before you'll accept the advice of an obscure professional. And you wont take Miley's advice if its outside her celebrity context.

though I do read many of your posts and enjoy arguing with you from time to time and I write the stupidest posts ever in the history of lit..still I have to ask....Miley Cyrus??? Really??? You're bringing Hannah Montana into this thread??????? LOL

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

SETHP

I use the same general formula for everything; I believe most successful commercial fiction writers do. Free association, stream of consciousness writing almost always ends nowhere or someplace you dont wanna go.

I just completed a horror tale today. I followed my formula and it almost wrote itself. Plus I changed the ending without significantly affecting what came earlier.

To me its so much easier to have a destination and plan.

 

[sethp]

SETHP

I use the same general formula for everything; I believe most successful commercial fiction writers do. Free association, stream of consciousness writing almost always ends nowhere or someplace you dont wanna go.

I just completed a horror tale today. I followed my formula and it almost wrote itself. Plus I changed the ending without significantly affecting what came earlier.

To me its so much easier to have a destination and plan.

Ok so what's your formula?