PHOTOS
Combine the photo,ideas you submitted for Story Proposal and add the following:
PREMISE
First write a premise for your story. A premise is a one sentence description of the core of your story–What happens to Who, Where and When, and What’s at stake?
EVENTS
First write down some story events, describing each in a single sentence. Usually, when you get an idea for a story, certain events immediately pop into your mind. “This could happen, and this could happen, and this could happen.” Story events are usually actions taken by your hero or opponent. Write down each event in one sentence. Make sure some events throw your main character into a crisis and force her to confront/resolve it.
Write down a minimum of five story events, but ten to fifteen would be even better. The more events you list, the easier it is to see the story and find the seven steps.
Put the story events in some rough order, from beginning to end.
SEVEN STEPS
For the seven steps below, describe how you will address each of the following in your story. Do not take the easy cliché route, but investigate what is unusual or original on your story, and try to flesh it out. Look for the subtleties, mystery, or surprises. Link each of your story events to one of the steps, and explain how it represents each of the key steps of the story structure.
1. Desire–What the character believes she wants/needs
2. Weakness and need–What the character really needs deep down and what weakness is linked to that need–this is essential to reveal for a character to grow.
3. Opponent–Is there an obstacle (time) or person (friend, parent, enemy) who stand in the protagonist’s way as she reaches for her goal? How does this help give the story tension and make her go deeper? ie opponents HELP the protagonist go deeper, learn more , evolve!!
4. Plan–What will the story structure?
5. Battle–What obstacle, challenge or difficulty will the character face?
6. Self-revelation–How will the protagonist grow, change, learn Make something happen to her!!
7. New equilibrium–What is the new state after the change in protagonist?