While the terms "story" and "plot" are often used interchangeably, they are actually two distinct elements of narrative, and understanding the difference can be a useful tool in your storytelling arsenal. You’re going to need some of both to create a compelling book that’ll have your readers coming back for more. 

Plot holes: those pesky little mistakes that can fall anywhere between a simple accident in eye color all the way to messing up your entire story. We’ve all been there. You thought you wrapped up everything so nicely, but then you go back to edit, or a friendly and well-meaning beta reader asks you “what about this?” and suddenly you’re struck with a sense of impending doom.

The seven basic plot points offer perhaps what is the most open-ended of the structure archetypes with broad, high-level descriptions.

What is three-act structure? Learn why this story structure is so effective and whether it can help you plot your novel.

Save the Cat is one of the most popular ways of drafting screenplays and novels in modern storytelling.

The Hero's Journey is a classic story structure. Learn why it's so popular among writers and how to apply it to your own storytelling.

We call it John Gardner's aquatic monstrosity, the Fichtean Curve is a narrative structure that can help you easily plan out your novel.

We break down Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake Method, a type of outlining that can make writing your book much easier and faster.

Learn about Dan Harmon's Story Circle—what it is, how it can help you plot your novel, and whether it's right for you.

One of the original story structures, Freytag's Pyramid is the foundation for dramatic stories and tragedies. Learn all about it with Dabble!

Story structures are the frameworks that tie your story together. A story structure can help guide your book to be the best it can be!

Our three-act structure worksheet makes it easier than ever to plot a novel with this classic story framework.

The eight-point story arc is a versatile novel-planning structure that's both pantser and planner friendly. Here's how you can use it to write your next book.