Need help finding the right story structure for my fic
I had an idea for a fanfic today. Usually I just start writing, but I’m trying to be more intentional with outlining and structuring my fics before I get to work, so I’ve been combing through different posts about story structures today. Unfortunately, I struggle to find one that fits the premise of my fic. I’m curious how you all go about finding the right story structures (for the ones who follow such patterns)?
About my fic: the idea I have centers around a character arc rather than a plot arc, which already makes a lot of the common story structures inapplicable. Additionally, the main character is making very few decisions themselves. Their goal is for everything to stay the same (even though the status quo is hurting them immensely), while the love interest’s goal is to show the mc that life can be better. The mc’s arc begins with them wanting nothing to change and having an incredibly pessimistic outlook on life, and ends with them having hopes and dreams for themselves and being happy with the love interest. It requires a lot of internal growth, but very little of that is brought on by their own decisions and far more a result of the care the love interest provides and the questions it raises in the mc’s mind.
All story structures I’m looking at reference the decisions characters are making, so I’m a bit lost how I can apply them to my story. Does anyone have ideas? :) thank you so much!
Posted Jun 15, 2025, 2:54 AM UTC