The Ultimate Seven-Point Story Structure Template for Writers

Template includes 3 boards:

New start: resolution...

Write a description here...

Resolution

Ex. "In the end, [protagonist] _______."

🧭 The canvas

In the 7-Point Story Structure, you plan backwards, so your first step is to nail down your ending. Use this space to brainstorm your Resolution, or walk through the workshop below for a guided path.

Ex. If you start with the idea of a deadly competition, then the logical endpoint comes when this contest ends. The main character can be a loser or a winner in the game — though readers will likely prefer to see the character emerge victorious.

💭 The workshop

First, jot down your story idea.

Now ask: what is its natural conclusion? How would the story end — in setting, mood, and circumstances?

Second, jot down the problem (or conflict) at the heart of this story idea.

Now ask: how can it be resolved by the ending?

Third, jot down your protagonist and their main internal conflict.

Now ask: who will they have become by the end — circumstantially, emotionally, and psychologically?

📝 The output

Fourth, put it all together now and write your Resolution in one sentence.

E.g., The protagonist wins the Hunger Games.

✅ The checkpoint

Does your ending resolve the story idea you started with?

If not, return to Step 1.

Does the ending resolve the central conflict?

If not, return to Step 2.

Has your protagonist fully become who they needed to become?

If not, return to Step 3.

New jump: hook...

Write a description here...

Hook

Ex. “At the start, [protagonist] ___.”

Resolution

Paste your Resolution sentence here.

🧭 The canvas

In the 7-Point Structure, the second step is to circle back to the beginning to set up a Hook that contrasts with your ending — and the greater the difference, the stronger the sense of transformation. Use this space to brainstorm your Hook, or walk through the workshop below for a guided path.

Ex. To contrast with the win and potential stardom, the protagonist should have a simple (if not miserable) start. Someone who’s not well off, with little to no political influence. Perhaps a young adult from one of the most deprived neighborhoods. She also has to care about something enough to want to survive the Games — her family, for instance. Let’s call her Katniss.

💭 The workshop

First, jot down your story idea. Add your Resolution.

Now ask: what would be the opposite of the Resolution — in setting, mood, and circumstances?

Second, jot down the problem (or conflict) at the heart of this story idea. Add its resolution.

Now ask: what would be the opposite of this resolution — perhaps its mirror image?

Third, jot down your protagonist and their main internal conflict. Add their state at the Resolution.

Now ask: what would be the opposite of this character’s ending — circumstantially, emotionally, and psychologically?

📝 The output

Fourth, put it all together now and write your Hook in one sentence.

E.g., A resourceful teen struggles to care for her mother and sister in the poorest district of a dystopian America.

✅ The checkpoint

Does your Hook sit in clear opposition to your Resolution?

If not, return to Step 1.

Is the problem in your Hook the seed of the one your Resolution settles?

If not, return to Step 2.

Is your protagonist in your Hook the opposite of who they become in your Resolution?

If not, return to Step 3.

New jump: midpoint...

Write a description here...

Hook

Paste your Hook sentence here.

Midpoint

Ex. "But midway, the story changes when [protagonist] _______."

Resolution

Paste your Resolution sentence here.

🧭 The canvas

Next up is the Midpoint, which makes the journey from Hook to Resolution feel necessary: this is when your protagonist starts shaping events. Use this space to brainstorm your Midpoint, or walk through the workshop below for a guided path.

Ex. Let's review. Katniss is a poor, family-oriented teenager coerced into the Hunger Games. How do you add agency to her victory? Perhaps she defies the Games' "sole survivor" policy by deciding she won't play by the rules anymore. But what could spur her to do so? Remember this is all about internal motivation, and Katniss is characterized by her love for her family. If she witnesses the death of a young, innocent Tribute — a girl who reminds her of her sister — she may decide to topple the system.

💭 The workshop

First, jot down your story idea. Add your Resolution and Hook.

Now ask: what changes here that can't be undone — and does it sit midway between where your story begins and where it ends?

Second, jot down the problem (or conflict) at the heart of this story idea. Add its resolution and origin.

Now ask: what kind of problem would turn the story on its head, while propelling it forward in a way that feels natural but unavoidable?

Third, jot down your protagonist and their main internal conflict. Add their state at the Resolution and the Hook.

Now ask: what would force the protagonist to see their entire journey differently, and spur them from reactivity to proactivity?

📝 The output

Fourth, put it all together now and write your Midpoint in one sentence.

E.g., Katniss stops following the script laid out by the antagonists and starts to write her own story.

✅ The checkpoint

Does your Midpoint genuinely divide the journey from Hook to Resolution?

If not, return to Step 1.

Does your Midpoint turn the problem from the one in your Hook towards the one your Resolution settles?

If not, return to Step 2.

Does your Midpoint mark the turn from the protagonist in your Hook towards the protagonist in your Resolution?

If not, return to Step 3.

New move: plot turn 1...

Write a description here...

Hook

Paste your Hook sentence here.

Plot Turn 1

Ex. "The inciting incident is triggered when [protagonist] ___.”

Midpoint

Paste your Midpoint sentence here.

Resolution

Paste your Resolution sentence here.

🧭 The canvas

Now that we've built a loose skeleton, let's bridge your Hook to your Midpoint. This is Plot Turn 1, or the inciting incident that triggers the journey. Use this space to brainstorm your Plot Turn 1, or walk through the workshop below for a guided path.

Ex. So Katniss must enter the Games. A random selection mechanism could easily do the trick — her name could just be plucked out of a hat — but it wouldn’t feel as though she was compelled to go. But what if Katniss’s sister is selected? Given everything we know about her so far, she'd make the only decision her circumstances and personality would allow her to make, and volunteer to take her sister’s place.

💭 The workshop

First, jot down your story idea. Add your Resolution, Hook, and Midpoint.

Now ask: what would have to happen to disrupt the status quo of the Hook and push the protagonist towards the Midpoint?

Second, jot down the problem (or conflict) at the heart of this story idea. Add its resolution, origin, and its turning point.

Now ask: what external or internal pressures would make it impossible to return to the beginning?

Third, jot down your protagonist and their main internal conflict. Add their state at the Resolution, Hook, and Midpoint.

Now ask: why must the protagonist respond to this disruption — what is at stake for them personally if they don't?

📝 The output

Fourth, put it all together now and write your Plot Turn 1 in one sentence.

E.g., To save her sister, Katniss volunteers to take her place in the contest.

✅ The checkpoint

Does your Plot Turn 1 bridge your Hook to your Midpoint?

If not, return to Step 1.

Does your Plot Turn 1 push the problem from its latent form in your Hook into active conflict leading to your Midpoint?

If not, return to Step 2.

Does your Plot Turn 1 force your protagonist out of the state they were in at your Hook and onto the path that leads to your Midpoint?

If not, return to Step 3.

New move: plot turn 2...

Write a description here...

Hook

Paste your Hook sentence here.

Plot Turn 1

Paste your Plot Turn 1 sentence here.

Midpoint

Paste your Midpoint sentence here.

Plot Turn 2

Ex. “At this point, the story pivots towards its resolution when [protagonist] ___.”

Resolution

Paste your Resolution sentence here.

🧭 The canvas

Plot Turn 2 now bridges your Midpoint to your Resolution. This is the moment when the protagonist makes their move into the endgame — and should feel like the inevitable consequence of everything the Midpoint set in motion. Use this space to brainstorm your Plot Turn 2, or walk through the workshop below for a guided path.

Ex. At the Midpoint, Katniss decides to survive the Games with another Tribute to defy the Capitol. Naturally, the powers that be do not allow that and insist that one of them kill the other. But rather than let that dictate her decisions, Katniss can use her knowledge of the wild and her understanding of the contest’s television appeal to subvert the game and refuse manipulation.

💭 The workshop

First, jot down your story idea. Add your Resolution, Hook, and Midpoint. Insert Plot Turn 1 as well.

Now ask: what would have to happen to set up an inevitable confrontation or resolution?

Second, jot down the problem (or conflict) at the heart of this story idea. Add its resolution, its origin, and its turning point. Include the complication of Plot Turn 1 as well.

Now ask: how does this moment escalate the stakes compared to the Midpoint?

Third, jot down your protagonist and their main internal conflict. Add their state at the Resolution, Hook, and Midpoint. Include their response to Plot Turn 1 as well.

Now ask: what would give the protagonist the ability — or the need — to act?

📝 The output

Fourth, put it all together now and write your Plot Turn 2 in one sentence.

E.g., Katniss outsmarts the Gamemakers by denying them the finale that they need.

✅ The checkpoint

Does your Plot Turn 2 bridge your Midpoint to your Resolution?

If not, return to Step 1.

Does your Plot Turn 2 equip your protagonist to resolve the central problem at your Resolution?

If not, return to Step 2.

Does your Plot Turn 2 demonstrate the internal transformation that will carry your protagonist from your Midpoint to your Resolution?

If not, return to Step 3.

New add: pinch 1...

Write a description here...

Hook

Paste your Hook sentence here.

Plot Turn 1

Paste your Plot Turn 1 sentence here.

Pinch 1

Ex. "The stakes become real when [protagonist] ___.”

Midpoint

Paste your Midpoint sentence here.

Plot Turn 2

Paste your Plot Turn 2 sentence here.

Resolution

Paste your Resolution sentence here.

🧭 The canvas

You now have a rough story: a Hook, a Midpoint, a Resolution, and two Plot Turns. But you're missing pressure points — moments that heighten the tension between these beats. This is where the Pinches come in. Use this space to brainstorm your Pinch 1, or walk through the workshop below for a guided path.

Ex. Sure, one may argue that the fact that Katniss is entering a deadly contest is pressure enough. But readers should be on the edge of their seats! So perhaps an event before the Games could raise the stakes: something like a training session, in which Katniss meets the other Tributes — most of whom have prepared for this their entire lives.

💭 The workshop

First, jot down your story idea. Add your Resolution, Hook, and Midpoint. Insert Plot Turn 1 and Plot Turn 2 as well.

Now ask: what challenge or threat can you introduce between Plot Turn 1 and the Midpoint to put pressure on the protagonist?

Second, jot down the problem (or conflict) at the heart of this story idea. Add its resolution, its origin, and its turning point. Include the complication of Plot Turn 1 and Plot Turn 2 as well.

Now ask: how can the stakes be heightened for the protagonist at this point in the story?

Third, jot down your protagonist and their main internal conflict. Add their state at the Resolution, Hook, and Midpoint. Include their response to Plot Turn 1 and Plot Turn 2 as well.

Now ask: what might the protagonist’s emotional response be to this pressure, and how does it influence their next decision?

📝 The output

Fourth, put it all together now and write your Pinch 1 in one sentence.

E.g., Katniss watches the other tributes train and realises how outmatched she is.

✅ The checkpoint

Does your Pinch 1 apply pressure between your Plot Turn 1 and your Midpoint?

If not, return to Step 1.

Does your Pinch 1 show the scale of the problem your protagonist will face at your Midpoint?

If not, return to Step 2.

Does your Pinch 1 test your protagonist in a way that prepares them for your Midpoint?

If not, return to Step 3.

New end: pinch 2...

Write a description here...

Hook

Paste your Hook sentence here.

Plot Turn 1

Paste your Plot Turn 1 sentence here.

Pinch 1

Paste your Pinch 1 sentence here.

Midpoint

Paste your Midpoint sentence here.

Pinch 2

Ex. “The pressure increases again when [protagonist] ___.”

Plot Turn 2

Paste your Plot Turn 2 sentence here.

Resolution

Paste your Resolution sentence here.

🧭 The canvas

Pinch 2 applies pressure between the Midpoint and Plot Turn 2 — but it’s more personal than Pinch 1. This is the ultimate gut-punch in your story. In other words, kill all hope at this point. Use this space to brainstorm your Pinch 2, or walk through the workshop below for a guided path.

Ex. Katniss is rebelling against the system and working with her fellow Tribute. What can the Capitol do to take away all of her hope? How about this: they pretend to let her and the baker boy survive — then take it all away and force one of them to kill the other, reaffirming both the government’s absolute power and their love for dramatic TV.

💭 The workshop

First, jot down your story idea. Add your Resolution, Hook, and Midpoint. Insert Plot Turn 1, Plot Turn 2, and Pinch 1 as well.

Now ask: what would push the protagonist to their lowest emotional point?

Second, jot down the problem (or conflict) at the heart of this story idea. Add its resolution, its origin, and its turning point. Include the complication of Plot Turn 1, Plot Turn 2, and Pinch 1 as well.

Now ask: how is the central conflict at its most impossible from here, and what paths forward does this moment close off?

Third, jot down your protagonist and their main internal conflict. Add their state at the Resolution, Hook, and Midpoint. Include their response to Plot Turn 1, Plot Turn 2, and Pinch 1 as well.

Now ask: how can the protagonist be forced to face this loss?

📝 The output

Fourth, put it all together now and write your Pinch 2 in one sentence.

E.g., The Capitol rescinds the two-winners rule, and all hope of Katniss and Peeta surviving together dies.

✅ The checkpoint

Does your Pinch 2 apply pressure between your Midpoint and your Plot Turn 2 — and feel like the darkest point in the story?

If not, return to Step 1.

Does your Pinch 2 make the problem feel unwinnable?

If not, return to Step 2.

Does your Pinch 2 strip away what your protagonist gained at the Midpoint — and do they have somewhere to fall from?

If not, return to Step 3.

🥳 Congratulations!

The skeleton is complete!

Read the seven sentences in order, from Hook to Resolution. Does the story hold?

New character...

Write a description here...

Nickname

Ex. Pat

Gender

Ex. Woman

Age

Ex. 28

Height

Ex. 5'10"

Place of birth

Ex. @City

Nationality

Ex. Greenland

Occupation

Ex. Librarian

👤 Looks & build

What stands out most about their overall appearance?

Describe them as if you caught sight of them across an open field.

How would you describe their natural build and frame?

Describe their build as though you were tailoring a suit or dress for them.

What qualities of their face make them memorable?

Focus on what people recall: eyes, mouth, smile, etc.

How do they move?

Think gait, gestures, etc. Does it change when they're unguarded and when they're observed?

What is their default facial expression?

Fill in the blank: They have a resting _____ face.

What is notable about their posture and the way they carry themselves?

E.g., is it slouchy, relaxed, military-stiff, etc.? How does it differ when they walk, sit, etc.?

How do age and experience show in their body?

Compare and contrast a photograph of them at age 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40.

👕 Style & dress

How would you sum up their overall style?

Show someone forming a first impression based on their outfit.

What is their signature or preferred outfit?

How does it reflect their personality? Think colors, cuts, fabrics, etc.?

What are their signature accesories?

Think glasses, canes, pipes, necklaces, etc.? How do their accessories reveal taste, personality, or status?

How does their style change with the seasons?

Consider a staple item for each season.

How do other characters react to their style?

Consider contrasting views from friends versus strangers.

🤌 Speech & mannerisms

What are their distinguishing mannerisms?

Think expressions, movements, speech "tics," etc.? Look for small actions that repeat no matter the setting.

How would you describe the sound of their voice?

Think accent, pitch, tone, rhythm, etc.? How does it complement or contrast with their build?

What is their style of speech?

E.g., elevated, educated, peppered with slang, etc.? How does vocabulary reveal education, background, personality, etc.?

What is their sense of humor like?

Write out a joke they would tell or a situation they'd find funny.

What is their favorite...

Curse word? Catchphrase? Quote?

🌱 Early life & background

Where were they born and raised?

How do they talk about their hometown when asked?

What kind of family were they born into?

Think culture, values, internal dynamics, etc.?

What education did they receive?

How did it affect them? Write a report card for them at the ages of 5, 10, and 15.

What is their earliest memory?

Why do they remember it?

How did their childhood shape them?

E.g., did it set them on their current path in any certain ways?

👥 Family & key relationships

Who are their immediate family members?

What is their relationship with them?

Who counts as chosen family?

Think friends, mentors, etc.?

Who is their significant other?

How does this affect the decisions they currently make?

Who is their rival or enemy?

What caused the tension?

Who do they think about nowadays in the past tense?

Why aren't they in this character's vicinity anymore?

🎭 Personality

What kind of a person are they?

E.g., consider the qualities that others name first when describing them.

How might their personality be categorized?

Think Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, extrovert vs. introvert, etc.?

What are their greatest strengths?

Think of skills or virtues others rely on?

What are their deepest weaknesses and blind spots?

Including what they may even refuse to admit to themselves. How do these flaws create tension in their life?

What are their...

Pet peeves? Hobbies? Routines?

How do they approach...

Love? Power? Risk? Conflict? Change?

What compliment do they get the most?

And what insult or criticism stings the most? Why?

🧠 Psychology

What is their idea of perfect happiness?

List their bucket list at the age of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50.

What are their emotional triggers?

And why are they triggered by it? Draft a therapist’s case note cataloging the triggers they'd observe.

What is their worldview?

E.g., “People are basically good,” “Survival comes first,” “Everything comes with a price,” etc. Are these beliefs ever challenged?

What do they value above all else?

Name the first thing they would rescue from their burning home. What if they could save three things? Five?

What do they most want to change about themselves?

Have they tried to change it before?

What secrets do they keep?

What are they most afraid of people finding out? And what would change if the secret were exposed?

What inner conflict defines them?

For instance, duty vs. freedom, loyalty vs. ambition, etc. How does this conflict surface in their daily choices?

How do they want to be remembered?

What would they want their tombstone to say?

🧬 Id

What is their greatest goal?

And how might it change throughout the course of your story?

What is their greatest fear?

How does this fear guide their choices and relationships?

What is their biggest regret?

How does this regret shape how they live now?

What drives them?

Is it unconditional?

What is their greatest desire?

And what lessons do they need to learn before they can succeed in achieving it?

🎬 In practice

Put it all together now.

Given everything you've developed about their life, goals, relationships, and beliefs, write a summary of your character's arc from beginning to end of your novel that depicts their growth and change.

View linked asset

New supporting character...

Write a description here...

Nickname

Ex. ‘Headless’ Bill

Gender

Ex. Male

Age

Ex. 24

Height

Ex. 6’5”

Place of birth

Ex. @City

Occupation

Ex. Unemployed

Role

Ex. The protagonist’s drug dealer

👤 Looks & dress

What do they look like?

Describe them as seen by a stranger in one quick glance.

What do they sound like?

Describe them as heard by a stranger in one quick glance.

What first impression does their appearance give?

Is it correct or not?

What is their signature or preferred outfit?

How does it reflect their personality? Think colors, cuts, fabrics, etc.?

What are their signature accesories?

Think glasses, canes, pipes, necklaces, etc.? How do their accessories reveal taste, personality, or status?

🤌 Speech & mannerisms

What is their typical speaking style?

E.g., crisp and formal, fast and excitable, slow with deliberate pauses, etc.?

What gestures or habits reveal who they are?

What mannerisms might signal their role as a mentor, rival, comic relief, etc. to the reader?

What is their favorite...

Curse word? Catchphrase? Quote?

What is their sense of humor like?

Write out a joke they would tell or a situation they'd find funny.

🎭 Personality

What are their defining personality traits?

How does it compare and contrast with the protagonist?

What is their biggest goal or ambition?

How does it relate to the protagonist's journey or growth?

What drives them?

And what belief guides their choices? What personal stake keeps them connected to the plot?

What are their strengths?

And what does it bring to the story or the protagonist? How might it affect the course of the story?

What are their weaknesses?

How does it complicate the storyline, if at all? Think friction, plot twists, etc.?

What skills, talents, or powers do they possess?

How does it impact the protagonist or the story?

How would the story change significantly if they were removed?

Would it create any plotholes?

👥 Background & key relationships

What early experience most defines who they are now?

Why is that?

Who are the people who matter most to them?

And does that impact their relationship to the protagonist at all?

What is their relationship to the protagonist?

How do they support or challenge the protagonist, particularly when it comes to their growth?

What do they value most in a friendship?

And what do they bring to a friendship?

What role do they play within their family or closest circle?

And is it the same role they play within the story itself?

🎬 In practice

Put it all together now.

Given everything that you've developed about their life, relationships, and goals, write a summary of the supporting character's journey: their impact on the protagonist's arc and their own before-and-after in the story.

View linked asset

New location...

Write a description here...

Location

Ex. @City

Type

Ex. Building, bridge, ruins, etc.

Size

Ex. 500 km²

🪜 Identity

What is the location’s primary function or role?

Think residence, business, sanctuary, crime hub, military stronghold, etc.? In what ways might this purpose shift if the world around it changes?

What makes this location distinct from all others?

Think scale, symbolic meaning, etc.?

What do locals say about the place?

How might their opinion differ from outsiders’ impressions?

What unspoken rules govern behavior here?

Consider customs, taboos, laws, etc. How do those rules shift depending on who is present?

What role does it play in the larger world?

How might losing this place change the balance of power?

🚧 Layout

What does the location look like?

What is the first thing visitors notice when entering the location?

What is the general layout?

Is it linear, circular, sprawling, vertical, etc.?

What are the key areas or zones within the location?

In terms of districts, rooms, sectors, etc.?

What sensory details define it?

What do people hear, smell, touch, or taste here?

How do travelers typically navigate the area?

Think maps, guides, landmarks, etc.?

📍 Geography

Where is the landmark located?

How do people reach it, and how difficult is the journey?

How does the location interact with or rely on its natural surroundings?

What are its boundaries?

What is the climate of the location?

Consider temperature, rainfall, seasonal changes, etc.

What secrets are hidden within it?

E.g., underground caverns, rare or valuable resources, etc.?

👥 People

Who inhabits this place, either temporarily or permanently?

How do their lives reflect the location’s function?

Who holds official power here?

How stable or contested is their authority?

Who holds unofficial power here?

How might their influence rival or undermine official rule?

Who benefits most from this place’s existence?

And who suffers because of it?

What unifies people here?

Conversely, what divides them?

🌱 Lore

When and why did this location come into being?

How might its origin affect how it is used now?

What famous historical figures are associated with it?

Why? And what happened to them?

What major historical events are tied to it?

How do different groups or eras tell the story differently?

How has its reputation changed over time?

And how might different eras use it for different purposes?

How is its story preserved?

Consider legends, rumors, mysteries, folklore, etc. How might conflicting versions of its past shape its identity?

View linked asset

New landmark...

Write a description here...

Location

Ex. @City

Type

Ex. Building, bridge, ruins, etc.

🌵 Landscape

What does the landmark look like?

What makes it distinctive in terms of shape? Color? Textures?

How has the appearance of the landmark changed over time?

Describe the landmark in three different centuries.

What can you hear around the landmark?

How does the time of day or season change what you hear?

What does it smell like?

Describe a memory triggered by the landmark’s scent.

How does it feel?

Think temperatures, textures, etc.?

📜 History

Who discovered or built the landmark?

When, and why? What stories surround its origin?

What purpose did it originally serve?

How has its meaning shifted across eras?

What major historical events might be tied to it?

E.g., wars, treaties, discoveries, etc.?

How do locals vs. outsiders tell its story differently?

How do biases shape each version?

⭐ Significance

How is the landmark used today?

E.g., is it now a tourist attraction, abandoned, repurposed, etc.?

How is it used in politics or propaganda?

How does its image appear in speeches, posters, currency, etc.?

What economic value does it provide?

Or is it purely symbolic?

How do foreign cultures perceive it?

Describe a foreign artist creating a painting based on rumor alone.

What role does it play in the future?

How might its meaning shift for future generations?

View linked asset

New locale...

Write a description here...

Location

Ex. @Country

Type

Ex. Outpost, town, village, tavern, etc.

Population

Ex. 50

Size

Ex. 200 km²

People of interest

Ex. @Character

🪜 Purpose

What was this locale originally created or used for?

Think residence, business, sanctuary, crime hub, military stronghold, etc.?

What is its primary role today?

Has it stayed true to its origins, or been repurposed over time?

What activities or events commonly take place here?

Describe a typical day from dawn to dusk in this locale.

What rules, traditions, or customs must be followed here?

Compose a hand-lettered “house rules” sign posted at the entrance, if applicable.

What kinds of people visit, and why?

Think nobles, pilgrims, merchants, criminals, adventurers, etc.?

What is the most valuable thing here?

Or the most worthless?

🌲 Landscape

Where is this locale located?

How do travelers reach it?

What natural surroundings frame the locale?

E.g., mountains, rivers, forests, etc.?

What is the first impression a traveler has when approaching it?

And what scents, sounds, and textures define the locale?

What details give the locale its unique identity?

E.g., in terms of architecture, mood, physical details, people, etc.?

📜 History & reputation

Who built or established this place?

And for what reason?

How has the place changed over time?

E.g., has it been rebuilt, expanded, defaced, restored, etc.?

What rumors, myths, or ghost stories are tied to this locale?

How do these tales explain strange sights or sounds?

What future reputation might the place be heading toward?

How do current events hint at it?

How do outsiders and locals perceive this place?

How do first impressions differ from long-term experience? Write a dialogue between a newcomer and a lifelong resident comparing opinions.

👥 People

Who owns or controls this locale?

How is authority established?

Who uses or visits this place most often?

Are there any natural barriers that border the city?

What are the typical social classes or groups found in this location?

Are there any relationships or rivalries exist between people tied to this locale?

What are the local customs, taboos, or etiquette rules?

Think greetings, dress codes, gestures, etc.? Describe a newcomer’s first lesson in proper behavior.

What stereotypes do outsiders hold about the locals here?

How do these stereotypes arise?

View linked asset

Seven-Point Story Structure

Plan your novel backwards with the ultimate Seven-Point Story Structure Template

Build your story in seven simple points

Link your Seven-Point Story Structure to your characters and world

Your seven points, saved and synced on every device

From first outline to finished book, all in Reedsy Studio

FAQs

What is a seven-point story structure template?

What are the seven points of the seven-point story structure?

Why do you plan the seven-point structure backwards?

Who created the seven-point story structure?

How is the seven-point structure different from the three-act structure?

What’s included in the seven-point story structure template — and is it free?

Freytag's Pyramid

Fichtean Curve

Hero's Journey

Three-Act Structure

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