Since I started covering plot basics, I have noticed a trend in authors. The fact that so many authors have no idea how or where their stories are going is bad because it slows down the writing process. Romance novels, whether erotic or not, have the same basic formula.
Revisited:
Hero meets Heroine
They end up in bed.
Conflict separates them
Conflict is conquered due to necessary character growth
HEA or HFN.
In that plot structure, we have to get across all of those elements just to write a story. Assuming we’re writing novel length stories (60,000 words and up) not only do we have to incorporate those elements into the story but writers must figure out what that conflict is, how it affects characters and how the story will progress. How do we achieve this?
We break our story into four acts. Three if we’re being lazy or don’t need to throw in action. This applies to movies, plays, screenplays, every form of entertainment.
Simplified, the typical Four Act Outline is as such:
Act One: Inciting Incident – What is the eternal incident that brings the characters together?
Act Two: Crisis/Ordeal – This is where we begin to throw internal issues of the characters into things.
Act Three: Confrontation – Our characters confront the issue and deal with it. If it’s an action story, a villain and H/H all share the same issue only the villain either dies a megalomaniac or fails to learn the lesson after it’s too late.
Look familiar? It should. This is ESSENTIAL to any story of ANY genre. What makes this work is the fact that it takes the reader on an emotional ride that should go through a variety of feelings so that we bond with the characters. We identify with them. Think back on the last book you read that you really enjoyed. Why did you like it?
Ultimately it’s because you probably identified with the characters and their struggle. In romance, erotic or not, the struggle is to escape loneliness and find that one person who will complete you. So our conflict and issues should revolve around why the H/H cannot be together despite all odds, until they figure out the need for growth. This happens at the end of Act Two and leads us into the Third Act with new behavior patterns.
In my next post we’ll cover how to extend the Acts and what should theoretically go next as well as how and where to write sex into our stories.
Excellent primer –thank you for it. I plan to link this page to my blog. Mostly, to be honest, so I can easily find it in the future.
Incident, Conflict, Confrontation = story
You’d think this would be easy to remember. …sadly, um, no.
Bring on your next post. I’m ready. : )
Grace,
I’m glad you found this post helpful
As I said, writing isn’t hard but writing for sales requires a different mindset. Stories are cookie cutter in formula, not in style or voice. Please link to it 
319144
You reinforce my belief that one cannot write a compelling story by the seat of one’s pants.
In a nutshell. You have cut to the chase and bring it into focus. Well done Sascha
Cristal
Thank you. Yes, that’s the point. We’re writing stories we can sell. Quality must be present still.
Those people can because they know storycraft inherently. But not all folks are aware of this, Margie.
None of my stories are completely plotted. I have a general idea and I map it out as I go so I’m 90% by seat of the pants 10% not. I do it to make sure I don’t have a never ending story and it seems to work well for me. I couldn’t imagine taking time to write it all out in an outline to then go back n forth to make sure I’m adhering. I am but a medium for them to spark to life.
Hales,
I don’t always plot out all my stories, nor do I use a huge outline. I use a basic one that gets me through the quick and dirty. Huge outlines are a waste of time unless you’re Laurel K. Hamilton or Sherrilyn Kenyon with huge universes. I’m not there yet.
You’re just getting momentum to get the book done so you can sell it and move onto the next one, hence my method here.
xoxo