by Anne R. Allen
I love to listen to local storytelling events — the ones that mimic the NPR “Moth” Radio Hour stories. They’re popular again in this area after the long shut-down. People gather around to tell true stories about events they’ve experienced. Alcohol or caffeine may be involved.
I say they “mimic” the Moth Radio Hour to be polite. It’s amazing how many people have no clue what storytelling is.
They don’t know there’s a world of difference between telling an entertaining story and reminiscing about that time back in 1972 when you and your buddies dropped acid on that fishing trip and there was a bear…except it was a raccoon…and Fred thought it was a hat…and Kevin started singing the Davy Crockett song…and you got in a fight over whether Davy “kilt him a bear” or “built him a bar” when he was only three…
And eventually the bored crowd semi-politely claps you off the stage.
After a particularly long evening of “Old Men Falling off a Train of Thought” at a local coffee house, I sat down to write this handy guide.
Unfortunately, l never found a way to present this tip diplomatically and the gatherings stopped soon after. But if you have any friends who love to talk, but need some help in shaping that talk into an actual story people want to hear, maybe you can point them in this direction.
It also helps newish writers make sure their WIP doesn’t get derailed following that fascinating character — the one who just showed up and you’ve followed down a rabbit hole and you have no clue where any of it is going…
To Tell a Story, Follow the Rule of Three
The backbone of any story, whether it’s an anecdote, play, or novel is the three-act structure.
There’s an old saw in the theater that describes it this way, “Act I — Get your character up a tree; Act II — throw rocks at him; Act III — get him down again.”
And it still works.
Act I: Get Your Character up a Tree
This is the set-up: a.k.a. the inciting incident or “call to adventure.”
Tell us who your protagonist is and what s/he wants. (And yes, you need a protagonist. One.) A story needs less exposition than you think. We don’t need anybody’s life story—just tell us the stuff about the characters that’s relevant to getting them up and down that tree.
When you’re telling a story live, it helps to have the first line prepared, so you don’t waste time throat-clearing. Consider some classic first lines:
- “I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills.” (Out of Africa)
- ”In our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly-fishing.” (A River Runs Through It)
- “Come and listen to a story about a man named Jed.” (The Beverly Hillbillies)
So you’ve got their attention. Now there’s something your character wants that gets him up that tree. Figure out what it is, and that’s your inciting incident.
Act II: Throw Rocks at Him
This is where you build tension. As your hero tries to get what he wants, introduce one obstacle after another.
- S/he may meet mentors/helpers who offer aid and or complications. But don’t let them hijack the story. Listen to the hookah-smoking caterpillar, but don’t follow the rabbit down the hole.
- Each incident should be more intense than the one before. Bigger and bigger rocks!
- Don’t take any detours away from the tree unless they’re relevant to the goal or the outcome.
Yes, I know you’re entranced by that rabbit and you’re dying to follow him down that intriguing hole. But don’t do it unless the rabbit will bring you back to the hero in his tree. Stick a pin in those ideas for a later story.
Your hero will thank you for it. And so will your audience.
Act III: Get Him Down
Build to a climax. Then end it.
This is where you reach a scene (or sequence of scenes) where the tension of the story gets to its most intense point.
So maybe the hero is hanging from one wimpy branch, about to fall from the tree into the mouth of the fire-breathing dragon.
Suddenly, Princess Dragonia emerges from the sky on her own pet dragon and whisks him from the tree to her own kingdom where they have a fabulous destination wedding.
So the problem is resolved, hopefully leaving the characters with new insight and understanding.
Once you’ve done this, your story is over, so take a bow and don’t step on your own applause.
You might want to prepare a final line that emphasizes the insight, especially if your story is based on a particular theme. Here are some famous last lines:
- “It was beauty that killed the beast.” (King Kong)
- “There’s no place like home.” (The Wizard of Oz)
- “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” (The Great Gatsby)
See? It’s that easy. Haha!
Good storytelling is one of the toughest things there is. But if you keep the rule of three in mind, it helps enormously.
What about you, scriveners? Do you follow rabbits instead of focusing on the tree when you’re telling a story? Can you manage to circle the story back to the hero’s story in the end?
BOOK OF THE WEEK
A story — written by Shirley S. Allen (my mom) — based on the life of my great, great grandmother, Roxanna Britton
Roxanna Britton: A Biographical Novel
by Shirley S. Allen
“Jane Austen meets Laura Ingalls Wilder”
The ebook is available at all the Amazons, Kobo, Nook, iTunes, Inktera, and Scribd
This novel, by my mother, the late Dr. Shirley S. Allen, is a rip-roaring tale of how the west was won. It also happens to be all true. It’s the story of my great, great grandmother, Roxanna Britton, who pioneered the Old West as a young widow with two small children.
It’s got romance, action, cowboys (not always the good guys) Indians (some very helpful ones) the real Buffalo Bill Cody, and a whole lot more!
Widowed as a young mother in 1855, Roxanna breaks through traditional barriers by finding a husband of her own choice, developing her own small business, and in 1865, becoming one of the first married women to own property. We follow her through the hard times of the Civil War to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to a homestead in Nebraska to her final home in Elsinore, California
Good Sunday morning, Anne & Ruth. Honestly, some days I’m so unfocussed that I chase the rabbit up the tree and then go throw rocks down the hole. Moving on… Yes, the 3-Act structure. I think it was some Poetic guy named Aristotle who came up with it. Recently, I came across a 3-Act equation with Situation being 1/6 of the story, Suspense being 2/3, and Solution being the last 1/6. Makes sense to me that you have to keep a terrified rabbit up a tree for that long – not knowing where the next rock is coming from. Enjoy your day and long live the 3-Act structure!
Garry–The three act structure can be explained many ways. Like most Writing advice, it’s helpful until it isn’t. 🙂
Anne—Oh so basic and oh so excellent! This is a great reminder. You’re right: some people can tell a story, others don’t have a clue.
The same applies to telling a joke: some people can, some people can’t. They step on the punch line, get lost in irrelevant digressions, drown their point in excessive wordiness & explanation. Same applies to fiction.
Love your examples of first and last lines. Would add that well-placed cliffhangers along the way propel a story forward—and keep readers turning the pages.
https://annerallen.com/2019/08/7-rules-cliffhanger/
Ruth–Many thanks! Yes. Cliffhangers help. A lot. Thanks for including the link to your great post on cliffhangers.
Great post, Anne. Thanks. There are so many great models to keep one’s story in line. This three act “saw,” as you call it, works grand. Another one I like a bunch is Lisa Cron’s idea that the protagonist has some sort of misbelief or misunderstanding about life or about him/herself, & that every scene in the book needs to dip into the waters of that misbelief.
Keep up the good work.
CS–Misinformation and false beliefs do tend to keep a protagonist up that tree. Good tip!
I like the three act process – simple! Which means I can handle it.
Alex–I think the three-act structure keeps that WIP in line!
Good day, Anne and Ruth! Great information here, and well-stated. I’ve heard it said the three-act story has stayed around so long because it works. There’s a three-door closet in my office that I use as a storyboard putting up post-it notes to designate scenes, characters, plot points, etc. There’s one door for each act. Things get colorful as the story moves forward.
Your mom’s book sounds fascinating!
Kay–My mom’s book is a great read! How handy to have a tri-fold door in your office. 🙂 You can take out a pack of sticky notes and start a novel, any time.
Very nice! I knew Aristotle (well, not personally) but the down-home version of the three-act structure is something I hadn’t heard before. No earthly idea if I’ve followed it, and very little chance I’m going to go back and look now. But from here on…
Will–You’ll probably find you’ve been throwing lots of rocks at some poor guy in a tree and didn’t even know it.
Great post. Succinct and to the point. However, one does have to go down the rabbit hole to meet the hookah-smoking caterpillar. Just sayin’….
Madeline–It’s true. Those stoner caterpillars can be elusive.
Anne, thanks for distilling storytelling into the principle of KISS (keep it simple stupid).
Dan Yashinsky knows how to tell a story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnJ9B6PtZwQ
Debbie–That Dan Yashinsky clip is hilarious!. As I say, telling a good story has the same rules, whether it’s a joke or a novel.
Great post again! Sometimes I know my books are NOT completely 1/3 up the tree, 1/3 throwing the rocks, and 1/3 get down from the tree, but I try. And I love the analogy. Thank you.
Great insight into storytelling and what appears to be a simple process. A few weeks ago I attended my first meeting of the Ventura Country Writer’s Club where we were treated to screenwriter Joe Palladino’s thoughts about his craft including the “Rule of 3” (Acts). Now I’m hearing it from you. I’m sold.
Ken–“Appears to be” is the keyword here.:-) Making it all wee effortless is the secret.
oh this is so nice, Anne, as this post’s subject is eternally relevant to every writer of every genre, but also brings me memories of a recently lost gal pal who was a natural story-teller ala Erma Bombeck. Her favorite vehicle for storytelling was through emails. She had that knack for re-telling some simple, but silly event that had recently occurred. Her comedic timing was impeccable, and her dry view of the world was hilarious.
Thanks for the memories, Anne, and as an editor it’s a great reminder to keep rocks in my pockets and pillows beneath every tree…
Maria “Rocks in pockets, pillows under every tree.” Good plan!
Brilliant! I am a great fan of the Three Act – throw rocks at him- theory of writing. Can’t improve upon this post – it’s Perfect!
Melodie–The three act structure can get a writer out of many pickles.
Hi Anne, hope you’re feeling loads better.
Love this! So succint and fun as well ???? ‘Beverly Hillbillies’! That’s a blast from the past. Believe it or not, it was really popular back in the day in Malaysia where I grew up watching it with my family!
With my WiPs, I start well, focussed on the tree but when that rabbit comes into view, that’s me gone – oh-so-easily distracted. My initial rough plot notes can be quite tangly before I dig out my ‘disciplined’ hat and get to work untangling it all.
By the way, I’ve read your mum’s book and found it fascinating from a historical point of view; I love history! My favourite part of the story was the first third with the family on the farm, so engaging ???? And what a character Roxanna was!
Joy–I’m so glad you enjoyed my mom’s book. She did her research!
Excellent, Anne! If all new writers could grasp the basic foundation of a 3 Act Structure, they’d be way ahead of the game. Sadly, I had to learn the hard way. *sigh* Mastering the finer points of storytelling takes time, study, and practice, but once it clicks it’s the best feeling ever.
Happy Holidays!
Sue–The three act structure sounds so simple, but it takes a lot of practice.
Thanks for saving my latest short writing piece, Anne! I followed so many rabbits I forgot that I am a writer, not a hare. Draft 3, here I come.
Dot–I’m happy this piece helped rescue yours from all those pesky rabbits!
Hi Anne,
It was a great resource! I am starting to write again, and I have been following some blogs to improve my skills. Your blog is one of them. I really learn a lot from you. I loved all of these tips, and I am looking forward to applying them to my process. I am sure these tips will work for a short story, and I can create a decent story by using this resource. But do you think I can use this if I am trying to write a full-fledged book? Let me know your thoughts.
John–The three-act structure works whether you’re telling a funny anecdote or writing a trilogy. The structure is kind of hardwired to the human brain. We need those steps to take in a story. Best of luck in your writing!
The old “get your character up a tree, throw rocks at him, get him down” is so simplistic and brilliant. A great reminder, Anne. (Though those rabbits can be alluring…) 😉 ????
Sarah–Yes, we all have to watch out for those rabbits! 🙂
Good advice, thank you.
Phil–Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you, Anne. The 3-Act structure, as you outline it, makes a lot of sense. Also makes me realise that I should have used it myself before I wrote my novel. Ho-hum.
Rosemary–If you’re a pantser rather than a plotter, the three act structure is something you can impost on a story in the editing process. So if your novel isn’t published, you can always do another edit with three acts in mind.
A simple way to construct stories. Thanks, Anne! Of course it takes much more work to flesh the story out. I’ve shared the post online. All best to you!
Victoria–The three act structure sounds simple until you try it. 🙂 It’s something to keep in mind as you’re writing, but of course characterization and emotional content are what’s really important. Structure should be the “bones” of a story, but it takes a lot more to create a compelling novel.
That is a brilliant clip I laughed out loud, thanks for sharing it.
You’re welcome.
Refreshing article. It feels good to go back to the basics once in a while.