Show notes
Today, we are joined by Margaret Dunlap as we dive into the three-act structure. This traditional framework—setup, confrontation, and resolution—is a tool to use rather than a formula to follow. We break down each act, exploring the defining questions, try/fail cycles, and emotional shifts that shape a story.
Highlighted moments
I would get very salty about the whole idea of a three-act structure because I'm like, three acts, act breaks come from theater and you need them to move scenery around.
“You have to let them know what the status quo is. And I think for writers who are early in their own journeys, it can feel, it's like, well, nothing's allowed to happen starting out because I have to set up what's going on and where things are.”
“I sometimes describe this as the solution that creates the next problem.”
“I prefer the word confluence. I prefer thinking about all of the things that have been happening arriving at one point so that lots of things are kind of happening at once.”
Transcript
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