From another writing course the idea that there are just seven basic writing plots.
(Originally Christopher Booker – 2004 Bookfinder )
I am not clear how valuable it is knowing that there are seven basic plots. I imagine that you are trying to write something unique and new.
If you see “Award Winning Writer” in your future I cannot imagine you getting there by following a pre-prescribed route.
However it might be useful to see what has gone before – here are the seven basic plots.
Overcoming the Monster (e.g. The Hobbit, Cloverfield, Dracula, Harry Potter)
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- Anticipation and call
- Dream stage – thinks overcoming will be easy
- Frustration – face to face with monster
- Nightmare stage – final ordeal
- The thrilling escape from death and death on monster
Rags to Riches (e.g. Jane Eyre, Great Expectations)
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- Initial wretchedness at home and call
- get out into world – initial success
- The central crisis
- Independence and the final ordeal
- Final union, completion and fulfilment
The Quest (e.g. Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit)
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- The call
- The journey (archetypal figures)
- Arrival and frustration
- Final ordeal and last battle
- The goal, treasure, prince/ess
Voyage and return (e.g. Sinbad, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, James and the Giant Peach)
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- The fall into another world (ie. Alice in Wonderland)
- Initial fascination – dream stage
- Frustration stage – dark shadow figure
- Nightmare stage – its dominating looks like dark force will win
- Thrilling escape and return to normal world
Comedy (e.g. Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy, Witches Abroad)
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- Shadow of uncertainty and confusion
- Confusion get worse – disguise men/women
- Confusion gets resolved and lives happily ever after
Tragedy (e.g. The Martian Chronicles)
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- Anticipation stage
- Dream stage
- Frustration
- Nightmare
- Destruction
Rebirth (e.g. Jonathan Livingston Seagull)
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- Hero is cursed by dark power
- Dream stage – talk of a curse
- Curse takes hold and imprisons the hero
- Nightmare stage – no way out, no hope until hero turns up and relies someone else to save the day
- Miraculous redemption
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