TECH: What structure do you use? Why?

[mbarker]

Original Posting 2022/01/02

Hum... over here, https://writingexcuses.com/2021/12/26/16-52-structure-is-a-promise/, they're talking about how the various frameworks, structures, or whatever you like to call them make promises to the reader. For example, there's the hero's journey, seven-point story structure, Save the Cat beats, Hollywood formula, M.I.C.E. Quotient, and various others. Probably some others that I can't think of right now.

Along with the various tropes and so forth of genres! I mean, when you stumble across that first dead body in the living room, you might guess you are in for a mystery ride, with a private eye, or perhaps a detective, or even a funny stranger who just stumbled into things, but you have some idea what is ahead. Lots of suspects, clues and red herrings galore, maybe a chase scene or two, and the infamous gathering where we find out what it all means...

Anyway, it's something to consider. Which frameworks or structures do you like to use? What do they do for you? How do you keep them from becoming too obvious to the reader, and still make it easy for the reader to follow along? What twists or combinations do you use, or might you consider trying?

What about new genres or different ones to try? Want to mix a little romance into your mystery? Or vice versa? How about science fiction or fantasy added to your tale? A bit of historical retrospective? Go ahead, mix them up and see what happens!

Write!