The Resistance Framework

Introducing The Resistance Framework

If you’re a frustrated writer staring at that empty white paper, trying to wrestle a story from your head – one where heroes confront and overcome oppression – you’re not alone. The blankness can be paralyzing. It feels like every attempt leads back to the same frustrating question: Where do I even begin?

Let's face it – many writers get bogged down in endless brainstorming, tweaking ideas, and second-guessing themselves. They spend hours wrestling with concepts that never quite take shape, leading to writer’s block and a feeling of overwhelming inadequacy. The problem isn’t necessarily the lack of ideas; it’s often a lack of structure – a framework for building a story where heroes truly earn their victories against injustice.

The Resistance Framework

This isn't just about writing a good story; it’s about crafting a narrative that embodies courage, resilience, and the fight against oppression. The Resistance Framework provides a clear, step-by-step process for building your book from the ground up – ensuring your hero has the strongest possible foundation to stand on.

The Resistance Framework breaks down the daunting task into manageable steps:

1.       Identify the Topic of Interest: What kind of oppression are you exploring? (e.g., systemic injustice, personal struggle, magical tyranny)

2.       Identify the Angle for the Story: How will you approach this topic – from what perspective? (e.g., a marginalized character’s point of view, an external observer's analysis)

3.       Identify the Lens the Story Will Be Filtered Through: What’s the unique thematic focus? (e.g., hope vs. despair, sacrifice vs. self-preservation)

4.       Identify the Main Character: Who is at the heart of your story – a hero fighting for freedom?

5.       Identify the Character's Problem and Goal: What challenge does your character face, and what do they desperately want to achieve? (A fight against tyranny, a quest for justice)

6.       Identify the Solution: How will your character overcome their problem? (Through bravery, cunning, or alliance?)

7.       Map the Journey of the Character from Problem/Goal to Solution: Outline the key events and turning points in their struggle – the moments that define their heroism.

8.       Choose a Storytelling Structure: Select a framework that best suits your story’s epic scope (e.g., classic hero's journey, cyclical narrative).

9.       Outline the Story Using the Structure: Create a detailed roadmap of your narrative - ensuring every step builds towards the ultimate confrontation with oppression.

10.   Start Writing.

Suddenly, that blank page doesn’t seem so intimidating. By systematically addressing these key elements within The Resistance Framework, you transform a vague idea into a solid foundation for a compelling story – one where your hero truly embodies the spirit of resistance and inspires readers to fight their own battles.

Discover The Resistance Framework and start writing stories that matter.

Widely Recognized Story Structures

These are foundational or widely taught in writing courses, books, or screenwriting guides:

·       Freytag's Pyramid – Classic five-act dramatic structure.

·       Hero's Journey – Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, adapted by Vogler and others.

·       Heroine's Journey – Variants by Maureen Murdock and Kim Hudson.

·       Three Act Structure – Industry-standard for screenwriting and novels.

·       Seven Point Plot Structure – Popularized by Dan Wells.

·       Story Circle – Dan Harmon’s simplified Hero’s Journey.

·       Snowflake Method – Randy Ingermanson’s iterative plotting method.

·       Story Spine – Pixar’s narrative framework.

·       Fichtean Curve – Conflict-driven structure used in literary fiction.

·       In Media Res – A narrative technique, not a full structure, but often used as a structural entry point.

·       Propp Folktale Structure – Vladimir Propp’s 31 functions of Russian folktales.

·       Lester Dent Master Plot Formula – Pulp fiction formula for 6,000-word stories.

·       Romancing the Beat – Gwen Hayes’ romance-specific beat sheet.

·       Take Off Your Pants – Libbie Hawker’s outlining method.

·       Story Genius – Lisa Cron’s cognitive/emotional story development model.

·       Six Stage Plot Structure – Michael Hauge’s screenwriting framework.

·       Eight Sequences Method – Used in screenwriting, divides a story into 8 parts.

·       Villain's Journey – A mirrored or alternative structure to the Hero’s Journey.

·       Three Story Method – J. Thorn and Zack Bohannon’s modular plotting system.

For more information on these story structures, visit Plottr: Blog for Writers - Plottr

About the Author

Daryl Horton is a technical and creative writer who is passionate about being creative. He has comprehensive training in business information management, information systems management, and creative and technical writing. Daryl has the knowledge and skills to help organizations optimize their performance and maximize their potential. He spent several years in a Knowledge Management PhD program at Walden University, nearly completing it, but resigned from the program during his dissertation phase to pursue his passion for creativity (http://www.abolitic.com/). Despite his love for creativity, he often finds himself participating in groups where his technical experiences add value.

You can find more information about Daryl Horton on his LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/darylhorton/.