Sipping my tea yesterday morning and shuffling my oracle deck (as per usual), Virgo flew out and landed in my lap. Virgos are known for their meticulousness and discernment. As a Virgo moon, I love to focus on detail, organization and getting things just right.
While holding the card, a clear message came through: Look for the grain and release the chaff.
As a writer, this resonates deeply. Sometimes our stories are overflowing with ideas, but identifying the core – the truly impactful message and plot points – can be a challenge.
Hello dear ones - It’s Wednesday evening as I inscribe these words after a powerful Full Moon in Scorpio last night. My energy tank is on E and I’m feeling hungover. Mind you, I’ve never been drunk in my life, so I honestly have zero idea what a hangover is actually like. All I know is, I just feel blah, uninspired and mildly discouraged. How was the full moon for you?
Plot can be a tricky beast. With the Plot Potion Challenge happening very soon, I thought it would be fun to explore the Story Spine, a powerful yet straightforward plot structure that can help you craft a compelling narrative.
What is the Story Spine?
Developed by playwright Kenn Adams, the Story Spine breaks down a story into seven essential steps:
Once upon a time: Introduce your characters and their world.
Every day: Establish the ordinary world and the character's routine.
One day: Introduce the inciting incident that disrupts the ordinary world.
Because of that: Explore the consequences and rising action.
And because of that: The turning point and midpoint of the story.
Until finally: The climax and resolution.
Ever since then: The new normal and the lasting impact of the story.
Example of the Story Spine in practice
Look at Pixar films… many utilize the Story Spine beautifully. Let’s look at "Toy Story" as an example.
Once upon a time: Woody is the beloved leader of Andy's toys.
Every day: Woody keeps the toys in line and ensures Andy's playtime fun.
One day: Andy gets a new toy, Buzz Lightyear, who disrupts the toy hierarchy.
Because of that: Woody, threatened by Buzz, tries to get rid of him.
And because of that: They end up lost and must work together to get home.
Until finally: They defeat Sid, the toy-torturing neighbor, and solidify their friendship.
Ever since then: Woody remains the leader, but with newfound respect for Buzz.
Benefits of using the Story Spine and how it solves common plot problems
It gives you clarity and focus. The Story Spine provides a clear structure to build your plot upon, helping you avoid aimless wandering and ensure a focused narrative.
It keeps your story moving forward with a clear direction, addressing the issue of the plot sagging or feeling directionless.
It gets rid of the fluff. Knowing the key steps of your plot helps you concentrate on the most important moments in your story. This reduces the risk of getting bogged down in unnecessary filler scenes that don't contribute to the character arcs or overall plot progression.
The "Because of that" and "And because of that" steps ensure a clear cause-and-effect relationship, preventing a story where things just happen randomly and characters reacting unrealistically to events.
And by outlining the consequences of events ("Because of that"), you naturally create opportunities for character growth and development, avoiding static characters who don't learn or change throughout the story.
The "Until finally" step ensures a satisfying resolution that ties back to the initial disruption and character arcs. No more anticlimactic endings leaving readers feeling let down.
How to banish writer's block with the Story Spine
I’m all about banishing writer’s block. The Story Spine can be your secret weapon. By providing a structured framework, it takes away some of the pressure and gives you a roadmap to follow.
Here's how:
Break down the beast: A daunting plot becomes manageable chunks. Instead of staring at the big picture, focus on filling in one step at a time and soon you'll have a clear roadmap for your entire novel.
Turn on the golden tap: Each step prompts brainstorming. What's the "ordinary world" your character inhabits? What event disrupts their routine? These questions get your creative juices flowing.
Keep up the momentum: Completing even one step feels like progress and motivates you to move on to the next, propelling you forward in the writing process.
Gives you a starting point. Even if you don't know exactly where your story is going — which is fine, btw — the Story Spine offers a framework to get you started. Fill in the blanks as you go, and let your characters and the plot develop organically.
Side note from the Book Druid: Writer’s block isn’t only about having a lack of ideas. It’s also about the emotional and mental toll writing has on you, which can stifle your creativity and cause you to go numb.
Try it out for yourself
I’ve given you the theory, now it’s time for the practical. Grab a pen and paper. Write down each Story Spine step and brainstorm details for your own story. Who is your character? What's their "normal"? What event throws everything into chaos?
If you get stuck on a specific step, use the Story Spine as a prompt. Ask yourself questions relates to that step. For example, at "One day," what event disrupts your character's ordinary world? What are the immediate consequences ("Because of that")?
New offering - Story Potion Power Session: Craft your novel in a day
The Story Spine is a fantastic starting point, but crafting a compelling fantasy or sci-fi novel requires more than just structure. My Story Potion Power Session dives deep into all aspects of story development, helping you navigate plot twists, develop believable and memorable characters, and build a world readers will love. Let's work together and turn your story idea into a spellbinding masterpiece. Comment below or send me a message to learn more about my VIP Day offer and take the first step toward finishing your novel.
PS: There’s still time to join the Plot Potion Challenge. It’s free and will help you lay the groundwork to do the work above. Grab your cauldron and join us.
xo
The Book Druid