In August 2019 I started writing a novel. Three months later I finished it at 86,000 words. Then I started editing, and I realized it was a steaming pile of crap.
I bring to you: how I realized I needed to burn every word I had ever written. First, I made a major character into a minor one, reducing my large main cast. Next, I deleted a character entirely. Then I deleted two more. Then I gave a minor character a larger role, and added four completely new personalities to my manuscript.
It wasn't until I read a blog post on Save the Cat, however, that I understood what was wrong.
My pacing was way off. It dragged where it should have been exciting. It was calm where there should have been conflict. I had planned every event in my novel out before I began writing, but I hadn't followed any kind of story beats.
What are story beats?
Story beats are points of action upon which one hangs a basic story. They are non-specific to actual events, and more specific to things that occur to keep the action moving nicely. I'd like to explore the Three-Act Structure with you, and talk about how sticking to these beats can help keep your readers from falling asleep (or me, from falling asleep reading my own damn work lmao)
There are three acts within the Three-Act Structure, each typically associated with a word count or percentage done per act. In this case, we'll look at the beats through the lens of an 80,000 word story.
Act One: 20,000 Words or 25% complete
Act Two: 40,000 Words or 75% complete
Act Three: 20,000 Words or 100% complete
They can otherwise be referred to as the setup, confrontation, and resolution. Below follow the beats, and what each means as far as points of action.
Act One
Opening Image – Here we set the tone of the story, introduce our heroic character, and give the reader a sense of who they are. This is a snapshot of their life before their adventure (or the events of the story) change them. This is Frodo before Bilbo's birthday party.
Set-up – We expand on the regularity of the MC's life. What do they want? What is in the way? The theme of the story can be mentioned here: the lesson the MC has yet to learn.
Catalyst – This is the moment everything changes. Life, as our protagonist knows it, is no more. Change is coming. This is Gandalf returning with grave news that Frodo's ring is the Ring of Power.
Debate – This is the beat where the protagonist doubts their decision to be part of this new world. It's their last chance to back out, to have normalcy. They may doubt if they can handle it at all. But...
Break Into Two (transition into Act Two) – Our heroic character decides to enter the new world. Here the reader leaves behind the normal snapshot of what the MC's life was, and we enter the flip-side. I also like to call this the Point of No Return. This is the "I will take the ring to Mordor" moment.
Act Two
B Story – The theme, if one was stated, usually comes up here again. B Story can also be referred to as the Love Story, and typically contains a conversation about the theme with the MC and their romantic interest.
The Promise of the Premise – (this is the beat i was missing and what turned my novel into a steaming pile of very flammable garbage) This is where we deliver on the goods: is your book about vampires? This is when they come out of hiding. Sharks? This is when they start eating people. Competitive jump-roping? This is the training montage. Until now we've promised a set of goods, and here we finally deliver. This is why your readers picked up your work.
Midpoint – Here, depending on the way your story goes, everything for the MC is either going GREAT or AWFUL. They're either excelling in this new world, or they're floundering.
Bad Guys Close In – Expounding on the GREAT or AWFUL theme: here the foes, whether physical, mental, or emotional, close in around the MC to inhibit their goals. The amazing or terrible event doesn't seem so important, now. Bad guys can be actual bad guys or inner demons, etc.
All is Lost – The opposite moment from Midpoint beat: our heroic character has lost everything they've gained, and everything they've gained has no meaning. If you like to kill characters, this is where you'll do it. It can be a physical or emotional death, the severing of a relationship, a betrayal. But it won't get as bad as...
Dark Night of the Soul – EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE. This is our MC's true rock-bottom. It's Frodo after Gandalf falls from the bridge. The MC mourns the loss of whatever has died, be it physical or emotional. This is where things are truly at their worst.
Break Into Three (transition to Act Three) – The theme in the B Story strikes again! Here the MC gains inspiration on how to pull themselves from the pits. Here, we have renewed vigor to fight the bad guys.
Act Three
Finale – Our heroic character has learned how to press on. They incorporate the theme from the B Story to defeat their worthy adversary (or their inner demons!). (also, my Finale beat was about 16,000 words long and spanned about four chapters, soooo do what feels best). And at last, we come to...
Final Image – Our heroic character has changed. Here we show how their life differs from the snapshots we provided in the Opening Image and Setup. Here we show if the MC has attained their goal.
So that's pacing, folks.
Of course, not every beat needs to be hit dead-on. That's the beauty of writing!
I'm still editing, but once I viewed my manuscript through this lens, I was able to write a new outline and highlight what I wanted to cut and what I wanted to salvage. I have new scenes to add, much more exciting than the originals, and my story is more cohesive overall. I hope you found this helpful! Keep writing, keep editing, keep improving, and never, ever give up.
The End