2d ago (edited) in Writing Discussion
Book Breakdown Builds.
I have had a lot of help from this community so I would like to give back. As someone with learning difficulties, I’ve often struggled to stay focused while balancing the structure of plotting and the freedom of pantsing. To help myself I have created a builds guide to help me plot each project. I only use like four of these. But here is the breakdowns. I hope this helps. I created the first nine and chat GPT added the last five.
Original Builds
Build 1: Flash
* Structure: 1 chapter, 1 chunk, 1000 words per chunk.
* Total Words: 1000.
* Description: A compact, self-contained story perfect for flash fiction or a standalone scene.
* Chapter Summary:
* Chapter 1: The entire story unfolds in a single chapter. This should include a clear beginning, middle, and end, delivering a concise but complete narrative.
Build 2: Spark
* Structure: 2 chapters, 1 chunk per chapter, 1000 words per chunk.
* Total Words: 2000.
* Description: A short story with two distinct parts, allowing for a setup and resolution.
* Chapter Summaries:
* Chapter 1: Introduce the core conflict or characters, setting up the story’s premise.
* Chapter 2: Resolve the conflict or deliver a twist that leaves the reader with a sense of completion.
Build 3: Ember
* Structure: 5 chapters, 4 chunks per chapter, 250 words per chunk.
* Total Words: 5000.
* Description: A short, fast-paced story divided into digestible chunks within each chapter.
* Chapter Summaries:
* Chapter 1: Establish the world, introduce characters, and hint at the central conflict.
* Chapter 2: Develop the conflict, adding layers to the story.
* Chapter 3: Build tension and take the story toward its climax.
* Chapter 4: Deliver a satisfying resolution to the main conflict.
Build 4: Flame
* Structure: 5 chapters, 4 chunks per chapter, 500 words per chunk.
* Total Words: 10,000.
* Description: A novella-style story with detailed chapters that balance pacing and depth.
* Chapter Summaries:
* Chapter 1: Set up the story’s world, characters, and tone with detailed exposition.
* Chapter 2: Introduce the core conflict and initial challenges for the protagonist.
* Chapter 3: Deepen the stakes as challenges grow more intense.
* Chapter 4: Lead into the climax with heightened tension and conflict.
* Chapter 5: Resolve the main conflict with a memorable and satisfying ending.
Build 5: Blaze
* Structure: 15 chapters, 4 chunks per chapter, 250 words per chunk.
* Total Words: 15,000.
* Description: A serialised narrative with concise chapters, great for episodic storytelling.
* Chapter Summaries:
* Chapters 1-5: Each chapter focuses on a specific aspect of the story, progressing episodically.
* Chapter 1: Introduction of the setting and characters.
* Chapter 2: A challenge or problem arises.
* Chapter 3: The protagonist begins tackling the problem.
* Chapter 4: Obstacles arise, heightening the stakes.
* Chapter 5: The resolution of this arc, or a cliffhanger leading to the next.
* Repeat this episodic approach for Chapters 6-15.
Build 6: Inferno
* Structure: 15 chapters, 6 chunks per chapter, 250 words per chunk.
* Total Words: 22,500.
* Description: A more detailed story, with chapters broken into manageable and evenly paced chunks.
* Chapter Summaries:
* Similar to Build 5, but the additional chunks per chapter allow for deeper character development, richer world-building, and secondary subplots.
Build 7: Bonfire
* Structure: 15 chapters, 6 chunks per chapter, 500 words per chunk.
* Total Words: 45,000.
* Description: A near-novel-length build, allowing for immersive storytelling with rich detail.
* Chapter Summaries:
* Chapters 1-3: Introduction of the protagonist, world, and inciting incident.
* Chapters 4-6: Rising action with obstacles that test the protagonist.
* Chapters 7-9: Midpoint twist or major event that shifts the stakes.
* Chapters 10-12: The protagonist faces escalating challenges, with hints of the climax.
* Chapters 13-15: The resolution, tying together subplots and delivering a satisfying conclusion.
Build 8: Wildfire
* Structure: 20 chapters, 6 chunks per chapter, 500 words per chunk.
* Total Words: 60,000.
* Description: A full-length novel format that balances pacing and depth across multiple chapters.
* Chapter Summaries:
* Act 1 (Chapters 1-5): World-building, character introductions, and the inciting incident.
* Act 2 (Chapters 6-15): Rising action, introducing subplots, and leading to the climax.
* Act 3 (Chapters 16-20): Climax, resolution, and tying up all loose ends.
Build 9: Supernova
* Structure: 30 chapters, 6 chunks per chapter, 500 words per chunk.
* Total Words: 90,000.
* Description: A robust, sprawling novel for intricate plots and extensive character development.
* Chapter Summaries:
* Act 1 (Chapters 1-10): Lay the foundation for the world and major conflicts. Introduce all key players and their motivations.
* Act 2 (Chapters 11-25): Gradually escalate conflicts, build relationships, and introduce twists.
* Act 3 (Chapters 26-30): Deliver an explosive climax, followed by a resolution that feels earned and impactful.
Additional Builds
Build 10: Breeze
* Structure: 10 chapters, 2 chunks per chapter, 1000 words per chunk.
* Total Words: 20,000.
* Description: A balanced build for medium-length stories with fewer but longer chunks.
* Chapter Summaries:
* Each chapter flows steadily:
* Chapters 1-3: Introduction, inciting incident, and character setup.
* Chapters 4-6: Rising action with key challenges.
* Chapters 7-9: Building to a climax with emotional stakes.
* Chapter 10: Resolve the story with a powerful conclusion.
Build 11: Wave
* Structure: 12 chapters, 3 chunks per chapter, 750 words per chunk.
* Total Words: 27,000.
* Description: A moderately large story with consistent pacing and rhythmic chapters.
* Chapter Summaries:
* Act 1 (Chapters 1-3): Introduce the world, main characters, and central conflict.
* Act 2 (Chapters 4-9): Rising action, subplots, and a midpoint twist.
* Act 3 (Chapters 10-12): Build to the climax and deliver a satisfying resolution.
Build 12: Current
* Structure: 25 chapters, 5 chunks per chapter, 400 words per chunk.
* Total Words: 50,000.
* Description: Perfect for a novella with detailed chapters broken into digestible chunks.
* Chapter Summaries:
* Act 1 (Chapters 1-5): Establish setting, characters, and conflict.
* Act 2 (Chapters 6-20): Rising action, midpoints, and heightened stakes.
* Act 3 (Chapters 21-25): Resolve all conflicts with a satisfying conclusion.
Build 13: Cascade
* Structure: 50 chapters, 4 chunks per chapter, 250 words per chunk.
* Total Words: 50,000.
* Description: A sprawling, fast-paced narrative with short chapters.
* Chapter Summaries:
* Act 1 (Chapters 1-15): Establish world and conflicts.
* Act 2 (Chapters 16-40): Rising action and character development.
* Act 3 (Chapters 41-50): Deliver a fast-paced climax and resolution.
Build 14: Tempest
* Structure: 20 chapters, 8 chunks per chapter, 600 words per chunk.
* Total Words: 96,000.
* Description: Ideal for a full-length novel with highly detailed and immersive chapters.
* Chapter Summaries:
* Act 1 (Chapters 1-5): Introduction and inciting incident.
* Act 2 (Chapters 6-15): Rising action and midpoint twists.
* Act 3 (Chapters 16-20): Climax and resolution.
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Book Breakdown Builds.
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