10. Freedom with form (Or, story structure for optimists)

When writers talk about story structure, we tend to conceptualize it in one of two ways:

1. As a set of almost mechanical instructions on how to put a story together “correctly”
2. As an organic, intuitive outgrowth of the themes, symbols, and artistic devices within the story

Both of these views on structure contain a bit of truth. But sticking too closely to either one can lead to sterile rigidity... or to endlessly drafting in beautiful circles with no final, functioning story in sight. (See also: being a “plotter” vs. a “pantser.”)

Ultimately, though, we made this dichotomy up. And if we shift our understanding of what role structure plays in storytelling, maybe we can make something up that works better, both for us and for our writing.

This month, I’m sharing my own working theory of how structure can lead to more creative freedom – and how that new freedom might break our deepest blocks around what makes a good story.

Writing praxis tips

To help you start uncovering new structural possibilities for your writing, I’ve created a quick reference workbook breaking down how different story shapes might ask and answer different story questions. This resource can be a source of inspiration if you’re stuck on a story, or it can be an aid for the early stages of a new project.

(The structural shapes in the workbook are drawn from Jane Alison’s Meander, Spiral, Explode, but you can definitely still use it even if you haven’t read the book.)