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SearchSite AcomparisonofChristopherBooker's
ContactUs theoriesofstorywithMelanieAnne
AboutUs PhillipsandChrisHuntley'stheory
BookGames ofDramatica.
NovelWriting
Christopher Booker's book, The Seven Basic Plots: Why we tell
WheretoStart
stories, is an academic investigation into the nature and structure
WriteaNovel of stories. As a fan of Dramatica, which I believe is the most
complete and open-ended theory of story structure, I was
StoryTips
naturally interested in seeing how Booker's theories compared,
StyleTips and whether Booker offers any additional insights which may be
StoryModels of practical use to writers.

StoryAnalyses Because this is a lengthy work (roughly 700 pages), it may take me
AskAbout... more than one article to discuss the theories it presents. So please
Step-by-Step Novel Planning
consider what follows as an initial overview. I will add more
AllWriting Workbook
detailed analyses of aspects of the book in other articles (which
PlotQuestions will link from this page) at a later date.
Characters
However, lets begin with the part of the book of most interest to
GenreQuestions writers...
WriteSomething
Else The7(or1,or9,or...)
WriteNonction
PlotsThemselves
WriteaPlay
NEW! Make Money Writing
OtherHelp As you can guess from the title, The Nonction Articles
GetPublished Seven Basic Plots argues that there are
seven basic plots that writers have
Manuscripts used throughout history, and that "I've read more than fty books
on writing, writing novels, etc.,
Resources these have certain similar structural
but your website has the most
features.
WritingSoftware useful and practical guidance.
Now that I understand how a
WritingTools Normally, I resist approaches like this
novel is structured, I will
that try to reduce the universe of
StoryConsultant rewrite mine, condent that it
stories down to a handful of types. It's will be a more interesting
StressRelief not that I disagree with the novel." - Lloyd Edwards
conclusions these approaches reach.
Bookstore Undeniably, good stories share many
PrivacyPolicy common structural features. What I
dislike is how reductionist approaches
tend to leave one with the impression Save 339
Recent
that all stories are more or less the same. It may be useful from
Postings the perspective of literary criticism, to develop a broad
Whatis understanding of how literature works and its role in human
culture. But from a writer's point of view, making stories appear
the
all the same makes them less interesting. Drama, excitement,
difference
and emotional engagement come from differences, from stories
between that seem new and unique.
themain
http://www.howtowriteabooknow.com/sevenbasicplots.html 1/8
5/23/2017 UnderstandingtheSevenBasicPlots

character Reductionist approaches also deliver the message that a writer

HowtoWriteaBook
andthe has almost no hope of creating an original plot. That is not a 5,792likes

protagonist? particularly useful perspective for a writer who is trying to develop

May 22, 17 01:16
a new and exciting story idea.
PM
LikePage ShopNow
I don't believe writers approach their craft with the desire to write
Question: the same stories over and over again, nor to write the same stories
What is the that have been written a thousand times before by other writers. Bethefirstofyourfriendstolikethis
difference
One of the reasons I like Dramatica is that, while it fully describes
between the
the structure of stories, it does not limit possibilities. Following
main
character and
the rules of Dramatica, writers can create an almost innite
HowtoWriteaBookNow
the variety of stories (over 32,000 in its current form, and potentially sharedBobMacKenzie's
protagonist? four times as many). post.
Answer: May15at5:27am
Protagonist Nonetheless, when you are struggling with a story, it can be
is a word that helpful to look at the well-worn paths created by successful
BobMacKenzie
goes back to authors, because it can help you avoid most of the pitfalls you May14at2:31am
ancient Greek could stumble into otherwise. And, to be fair, Booker's theories are Thisessayisimportant.Though
theatre not quite as limiting as his title suggests for the following ithasanAmericanfocus,
reasons... similarclassdistinctionand
Read More elitismexistsinCanLitand
amongourliteraryacademics.I
A. Despite calling the book, The Seven Basic Plots, Booker actually believetheliteraryclassdivide
Exclamation identies nine basic plots. These are... inCanadaisevenmoresevere
Points!!! thaninTheStates.It'sdefinitely
1. Overcoming the Monster: in which the hero must venture worthreadingtotheend.
May 15, 17 07:46
PM to the lair of a monster which is threatening the
community, destroy it, and escape (often with a treasure).
Hello, Mr.
Strathy. I'm 2. Rags to Riches: in which someone who seems quite
certain you've commonplace or downtrodden but has the potential for "Thanks to your "Create a Plot
been greatness manages to fulll that potential. Outline in 8 Easy Steps," I was
bothered able to take a story that I
with this
3. The Quest: in which the hero embarks on a journey to
simply just fooled around with
question so I obtain a great prize that is located far away.
and went willy nilly all over,
apologize. 4. Voyage and Return: in which the hero journeys to a into a clearly dened,
But a strange world that at rst is enchanting and then so intriguing battle where two
successful threatening the hero nds he must escape and return characters ght to keep their
writer used relationship intact, and try to
home to safety.
'Stand to nd a balance in control of
attention, 5. Comedy: in which a community divided by frustration, themselves and their lives.
soldier! selshness, bitterness, confusion, lack of self-knowledge, Thanks to you, I'm not
lies, etc. must be reunited in love and harmony (often ashamed of the poor
Read More
symbolized by marriage). organization of my writing." -
Nommanic Ragus
6. Tragedy: in which a character falls from prosperity to
Tipsfor
destruction because of a fatal mistake. "I am so glad I found your site.
writinga
7. Rebirth: in which a dark power or villain traps the hero in a It has helped me in so many
large ways, and has given me more
castof living death until he/she is freed by another character's
condence about myself and
loving act.
characters my work. Thank you for making
May 13, 17 09:07 8. Rebellion Against 'The One': in which the hero rebels this valuable resource, for me
AM against the all-powerful entity that controls the world until and my fellow writers. Perhaps
he is forced to surrender to that power. you'll hear about me
Question: I'm
someday...I'll owe it to you." -
writing a 9. Mystery: In which an outsider to some horrendous event Ruth, Milton, U.S.A.
story with a (such as a murder) tries to discover the truth of what
LOT of happened. "I never knew what to do with
characters in all the characters in my head,
it, 18 to be The last two plots are only discussed late in the book because, as but since discovering
exact. It's Dramatica I am writing again
Booker explains, they were quite rare for most of history. Today, of
kind of like in my spare time. Thank you
course, Mystery plots have become quite popular. Rebellion
the for making this available. Yes,
Danganronpa
Against 'The One' is still less common, but I would argue that
it is a bit complex, and it does
series in the some great science ction stories are based on it especially
take time, but I love it because
way that it versions where the hero wins against the overwhelming power of
it works." - Colin Shoeman
wouldn't society (e.g. The Prisoner, The Matrix).
work "I came across your website by
Booker does make it clear that he has much more respect for the chance. It is a plethora of
Read More rst seven basic plots than the last two. Nonetheless, I think it's a knowledge, written in a
little snobbish to say that Mystery stories are somehow inferior to simplistic way to help aspiring
difficult Overcoming the Monster. writers. I truly appreciate all of
the information you have
topics
provided to help me

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5/23/2017 UnderstandingtheSevenBasicPlots
May 11, 17 09:13 B. Booker acknowledges that each of the seven basic plots comes successfully (relative term)
PM
in several variations, including dark (or less satisfying) versions, write my novel. Thank you very
Question: depending on which characters represent the forces of light and much!" - Leo T. Rollins
How do I dark, how the story ends, the amount of realism, etc. For instance,
"I can honestly say that this is
cover Overcoming the Monster has a number of variations including... the rst website that is really
darker/socially
helpful. You manage to answer
unacceptable Western (town threatened by outlaws) complex questions in relatively
topics in my
Melodrama (hero threatened by scheming villain) short articles and with really
writing
intelligent answers. Thank you
without Thrillers (world threatened by madman) for taking the time to write
going too far
War stories (world threatened by Nazis or equivalent) these articles and sharing
or not being
them so generously." -
able to nd a Science Fiction (world threatened by aliens or a man-made Chrystelle Nash
positive threat/monster)
solution to "...had no idea that a simple
my Sympathetic Monster (e.g. King Kong)
click would give me such a
character's wealth of valuable
C. Booker acknowledges that many stories incorporate elements
information. The site not only
Read More taken from more than one of the seven basic plots, allowing for
offered extremely clear and
additional variations. However, unlike with Dramatica, Booker
helpful instructions but was a
Fast does not suggest rules that would determine whether a particular very enjoyable read as well.
combination of elements will create a satisfying story. (Rather, he
Novel The education from your
seems to believe that only the light or archetypal versions of the wonderful site has made me a
Writing
seven basic plots are truly satisfying.) better writer and your words
May 09, 17 09:41
PM have inspired me to get back to

Question: I
TheBasicPatterntothe work on my novel. I wish to
give you a heartfelt thanks for
am writing a
story and my
SevenBasicPlots How to Write a Book Now, sir." -
- Mike Chiero
mom is
Booker describes almost all of the seven basic plots in terms of
rushing me.
How do I ve stages. In this, he echoes Aristotle, Freytag, and Shakespeare,
write faster though, like most theorists, he assigns his own set of labels to the
and swiftly, stages.
without my
novel looking Booker's ve stages are...
as if it was
spit out of a 1. Anticipation: in which the initial setting is established and
factory? reader is introduced to the hero/heroine, who is somehow
constricted or unfullled.
Read More
2. Dream: in which the hero embarks on the road toward a
possible resolution and experiences some initial success.
Need
3. Frustration: in which the hero's limitations and the
help
strength of the forces against him become more obvious,
formating make attaining the resolution seem increasingly difcult.
title
page& 4. Nightmare: in which a nal ordeal takes place that
determines the resolution.
header
May 01, 17 08:57 5. Miraculous Escape/Redemption/Achievement of the Prize
AM
or (in the case of Tragedy) the Hero's Destruction. Booker
Question: I uses various terms for this stage, depending on the basic
need help plot. But in all cases, this stage is some sort of Resolution.
writing my
title page. I
know how to For a more detailed description of Booker's seven basic plots
set the (including the other two) click here.
margins. I've
already
written my ComparisontoOtherStory
contact info -
name - Models
address -
phone etc. I Though it is tempting to say that Booker's seven basic plots follow
need a ve-act structure, my own feeling is that this is a mistake.
someone
For one thing, calling it a ve-act structure would make Booker's
Read More model difcult to reconcile with other story models, such as
Dramatica which describes plots in terms of four acts. I've pointed
Book out elsewhere that the W-Plot is actually a four-act structure, even
chapters though many people mistakenly call it a three-act structure. I
think Booker makes a similar error. After all, each of these story

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5/23/2017 UnderstandingtheSevenBasicPlots
May 01, 17 08:37 models describes the same universal pattern found in successful
AM
stories. So they should all coincide.
Question: I
would like to There are two other reasons why I think Booker makes a mistake
know what is when he describes the seven basic plots in terms of a 5-stage
acceptable structure.
when writing
a book for First, Booker frequently mentions The Call as an important part
chapter of story structure. The Call is an event that occurs early in the
length. My story and makes the Hero aware of the possible resolution or prize
book is about and which sets the Hero on the road to achieving it. Even though
Novella Booker regards The Call as important and distinct enough to be
length. I have
named as a separate part of the structure, he doesn't consider it
some
one of the stages. Instead, he attaches it to either the start or the
chapters that
are end of the Anticipation stage, depending on which of the seven
basic plots is being followed.
Read More
Second, while Booker's rst four stages are described as longer
sections of story which may be composed of many events, the
Isthis
fth stage, the Resolution, is different. Like The Call, the
concept
Resolution is more like a single event that marks the nal change
clich? in the story world (or what Dramatica would call the Outcome of
Apr 29, 17 10:43
AM the story).

Question: So why are The Call and the Resolution single events, while the
With all of other parts are more like sequences of events? And why is one
the writing considered a stage and the other not? Here's what I think is going
tips you have on...
on this site I
feel as The Dramatica model and others (such as the W-Plot) divide
though the stories into four stages. Each stage begins and ends with a key
writing part event which Dramatica calls a Driver. Other terms for these key
won't be too
events are Turning Points (ala Michael Hague), or Trigger Events
difcult, so I
(ala the W-Plot). Regardless the term, each of these events are
just want
your opinion changes that send the story off in a new direction (except for the
on the nal one, which marks the end of the story).

Read More

Howto
handle
multiple
protagonists?
Apr 25, 17 08:37
AM

Question: I'm
writing a
story where
most of the
many
characters
will be
deceased by
the end of
the story, and
Save 339
I want
multiple
protagonists I believe that what Booker refers to as The Call is what other
because in models call the First or Second Driver (depending on whether it
stories comes at the beginning or end of the Anticipation stage).
Similarly, Booker's fth stage appears to be what others call the
Read More Fifth or Final Driver.

Isluck Booker doesn't refer specically to the other three drivers, but
an then neither do most literary critics, probably because these
drivers don't stand out as much from a reader's perspective
acceptable
(though they are quite important from a story writer's
character
perspective).
trait?

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5/23/2017 UnderstandingtheSevenBasicPlots
Apr 25, 17 08:18 In the following chart, I've tried to reconcile the terms used by
AM
Booker, Dramatica, Michael Hague, and the W-Plot users. I've also
Question: I've included some alternate terms for some of these stages and
tried to events. As you can see, these models all describe the same basic
balance it out parts of a story, just using different words.
by having my
character's
luck failing
occasionally
and just
opting for the
least likely
outcome
rather than
something

Read More

Misleading
story
goal?
Apr 22, 17 10:54
AM

Question: At
Save 339
the start of
my story, my
Based on this comparison, I think we can say that Booker's seven
main
character is basic plots actually follow the same four-act structure described
an apathetic in Dramatica.
delinquent
with little StoryGoals
interest in
anything. One of the core concepts in Dramatica is that all stories represent
He's only
an attempt to solve a problem or rebalance an inequity. Hence, the
spurred into
overall throughline of every story revolves around a Story Goal
action by a
curse (the thing the protagonist is trying to achieve that involves or
affects most of the other characters). Dramatica allows for an
Read More innite number of possible goals, grouped into 16 categories.

Separate but connected to the overall throughline is the main

Romance
character throughline, in which the main character faces an inner
Problem:
conict, a dilemma of whether or not to change. How this conict
Isthis is resolved determines whether the Story Goal is achieved.
enough?
Apr 17, 17 08:58 Booker, on the other hand, believes there is only one universal
AM
goal of a good story: the downfall of the ego and reconnection
Hello Glen, I with the true Self. Or, to put it another way, the story problem is
have a always about an imbalance between the masculine and feminine
question principles. The masculine principle has become dominant to the
about point that it threatens the world, and the solution must be to
romance, or rebalance things so that the feminine principle carries equal
romance in weight. This change must be internal as well as external. The hero
the past, (or more rarely heroine) must change must recover and integrate
rather. I'm
the feminine part of himself. Most of Booker's basic plots end
only in
chapter 5 of happily because this change occurs. Tragedy ends unhappily
my book, I because it doesn't.
have about
133 pages Booker argues that many variations on the seven basic plots are
written so far, unsatisfying because they do not fulll the basic goal of
recovering the feminine principle. But is this really fair? Many of
Read More the stories Booker uses as examples of bad storytelling have been
exceedingly popular (Star Wars, for example). Certainly, readers
cliches and audiences have found them emotionally satisfying and
Apr 14, 17 07:56 enjoyable. It seems rather unfair to say they are categorically
AM unsatisfying. Should writers really abandon all variations on
Question: I Booker's seven basic plots?
am writing a
Let's look a little more closely at the terms feminine and
fantasy book
about three masculine and see if Dramatica can shed some light on what's

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5/23/2017 UnderstandingtheSevenBasicPlots
prisoners going on.
across the
world who
start a
FeminineandMasculineValues
rebellion. I
have not Booker describes masculine values as:
decided if the
rebellions 1) power or strength (whether physical or in terms of personality)
attack each
other 2) order (as in hierarchy, discipline, and justice under the law)

Read More The feminine values, he describes as:

1) Seless feeling
Thinking
about 2) Intuitive understanding (the ability to see whole, making for
writinga connection, the healing of division, and life)
book
Dramatica similarly says that main characters can be either
about
holistic (feminine) or linear (masculine) thinkers. Most male
the characters (and most men) are linear thinkers and most female
funny characters (and most women) are holistic thinkers.
things
my Where the theories differ is that, for Booker, female characters
grandsons almost always embody the feminine principle and male main
say characters always suffer from a lack of feminine values.
Apr 13, 17 08:26
AM Dramatica, however, is a little more exible. It allows that some
male characters are holistic thinkers, and some female characters
Question: I've are linear thinkers (an example would be Agents Sculley and
been posting Mulder from The X-Files). In fact, earlier versions of Dramatica
some of the
assigned characters a male or female mental sex or brain
funny things
gender, which could be opposite to their physical gender.
my
grandsons
Dramatica gives writers more options to play with. For instance,
say on
facebook.
you can create a male hero who is a holistic thinker. Such a
Several character would hardly need to recover his feminine side to
people have achieve the Story Goal. Rather, his success might depend on his
suggested I adopting more masculine values.
write a book.
I'm On the other hand, a female heroine might be a linear thinker who
undecided if I can only achieve the goal by adopting more a more holistic
should outlook or feminine values.

Read More (In fact, the conict between the holistic and linear ways of
thinking often play out in the relationship between the main and
Doesthe impact characters. If one is holistic, the other tends to be linear,
story and vice versa. The impact character is a concept unique to
relayed Dramatica, but Booker comes close to it when he observes that
ina male characters are often saved by union with a female, and vice
versa.)
journal
haveto Dramatica also allows for the possibility that main characters
bea"co don't always need to change. In some stories, staying steadfast is
plot"? the choice that will let the hero or heroine achieve the Story Goal.
Apr 12, 17 08:45 The fact that neither the hero nor the audience can be certain
AM
what the right choice is makes stories less predictable, and
Question: therefore more engaging.
You just
answered a Booker doesn't seem to allow for steadfast heroes.
question for
me about ArchetypalCharacters
whether ICs
can be dead, In addition to the seven basic plots, Booker describes a number of
and that
archetypal characters. Some of these will be familiar to everyone,
answer was
very clear, such as hero and heroine. Some are similar to archetypal
but characters found in Dramatica. For instance, Booker's Wise Old
something Man and Anima characters are male and female versions of what
else you said Dramatica calls the Guardian. Similarly, Booker's Tempter and
in that Trickster are good and evil versions of what Dramatica calls the
response Contagonist.
http://www.howtowriteabooknow.com/sevenbasicplots.html 6/8
5/23/2017 UnderstandingtheSevenBasicPlots
Read More The difference I notice is that Booker interprets stories from a
psychoanalytic perspective in which many characters symbolize
fathers, mothers, and siblings. For this reason, many of his
archetypes have denite genders associated with them.

Dramatica, on the other hand, allows any character to take on any

of the archetypal roles. Unlike Booker's Wise Old Man, Dramatica's
Guardian doesn't have to be old or male. The Guardian role could
be played by a child, a young woman, an animal, a computer, or
any other sentient being.

It may seem that I am being rather dismissive of Booker, but that

would be unfair. Booker did not write The Seven Basic Plots for the
benet of writers but as a work of literary scholarship, particularly
for those interested in psychoanalytic theory. Booker has
obviously spent much time struggling to uncover patterns in
literature, and his book provides a vast survey of the history of
storytelling. There is certainly something to be learned from his
description of the seven basic plots (or nine, or ...) and the
archetypal characters he describes. And in future articles, I plan to
examine these in more detail.

However, as a practical theory for writers, I feel that Dramatica

puts fewer limits on a writer's imagination and allows a greater
variety of dramatically sound plots and characters. It is also more
suited for today's culture, which is becoming increasingly
liberated from sexual stereotypes.

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4Comments Sortby Newest

Addacomment...

ScottDorrofield
InnerLifeSkillsCoachingInternational
OK,soyou'reaDramaticaaffiliateandthereforehaveajobto
do.Fairenough.SowhatIwillsayisthis:
Booker'sbookisNOTamodel,likeDramatica,ratherheis
observingalivingthingblossoming.Hisobservations,whichin
themselvesarenothingshortofinspired,merelytrackthe
evolutionofplotandstoryasapersonificationofmindevolving,
ofhumanmindstryingtofigureoutwhotheyareandwhatisto
becomeofus,throughtheevolvingpatternofstorythis
Dramaticacannotbegintocompetewith.Yesit'struethatmost
peopledon'twanttoworkthathardandwillhappily
w... SeeMore
LikeReply 3Dec18,201611:13pm

ReneeSkarzynski
WorksatWriter
Thisisexcellentveryhelpful
LikeReplyMay24,20166:14pm

AdnanAliGujjar
LectureratUniversityofSargodhaMandiBahauddinCampus
great.......Itismatchless...
LikeReplyApr30,20164:11pm

JonasBlane
Excellentarticle,thanks.
LikeReplyMar28,20169:49am

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