NicoleJ – Journal 3

PREMISE

First write a premise for your story. You can use the Premise from Journal 2, or create a new one.

The premise for my story is a boy, Cole, has been cursed by a demon, Circe, and joins a group of demon hunters to eradicate the world of demons and to figure out how to live with his curse.

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.

1. Cole is confronted by a demon named Circe and is cursed to be like her.
2. Cole goes on a journey to find a way to remove the curse.
3. Cole finds a group of demon slayers and joins them.
4. They all go on a journey to eradicate the world of demons.
5. Cole learns he can’t remove the curse.
6. Circe returns but wants to help Cole.
7. The group encounter many trials.
8. The group meet up with more like Cole.
9. Circe tricks the group and they are in peril.
10. The group fight of Circe and she vanishes.
11. The group continues its journey.
12. They find Circe and a group of powerful demons.
13. They defeat them.
14. The “war” is over.

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. Weakness and need

Weakness- The weakness will probably be the curse at first and then Cole learns to use it as his strength to help others defeat real demons.

Need- Cole’s need is to find a way to remove the curse but when he learns he can’t his new need is to defeat the demons cursing people.

2. Desire- Cole’s desire is to bring peace to the world. He secretly wants the demons and humans to live in harmony but knows that can’t happen.

3. Opponent- The opponent in the story is Circe and the other demons.

4. Plan- The plan is to eradicate other demons so the humans can live in peace.

5. Battle- The battle is the big fight against Circe and the other powerful demons.

6. Self-revelation- Cole’s self-revelation is when he finds out he can’t remove the curse and has to learn to live with it.

7. New equilibrium- The demons are gone and the humans can finally live in peace.