March 26 presentation and assignments on shapes and plot in fiction, SFCC, Spring 2020

1. This week’s presentation
 What will follow is a brief discussion about “shapes” in
fiction.
 You also will find articles that discuss this more on
Canvas.
 Please read through and then do the writing exercise
provided. This not a timed exercise.
 Please complete writing exercise and reading
assignments by April 2. Your new assignments for next
week will post then.

2. Stories and Shapes
 We’ve talked about the individual craft elements in
fiction.
 Another fun aspect is considering the overall “shape” of
a story.
 Many writers have talked about the way in which they
chose a shape or form for their stories. For example,
we talked about the “iceberg” in Hemingway’s “Hills
Like White Elephants.”
 I’ve included links to some other articles about shapes
in fiction for you to review.

3. Other types of structure
 Not all fiction needs to follow a linear/chronological
structure in order to have a crisis action and conflict
 Other types of structures to consider:
 Maze
 Iceberg
 Parallel lines
 Infinity

4. Maze
 In which a character either physically, emotionally (or
both!) is trapped and has trouble getting out of his or
her maze

5. Iceberg
 In which part of the story is submerged and unseen, but
felt (think of “Hills Like White Elephants”

6. Parallel Lines
 In which two stories run, literally, parallel to one another
(perhaps characters facing similar challenges) but the
stories do not meet.

7. The Circle
 The story begins and ends in the same place

8. Infinity or The Loop
 The story keeps meeting up with itself in the same spot
and then continuing on; events repeat themselves and
breaking free of this loop is one of the challenges.

9. Writing Assignment
 Write a very short (flash) story (aim for 1,000 words) and
make a conscious choice about using one of these shapes.
Don’t tell what it is. You can use a piece of your current story
in progress for this assignment if you like.
 Maze: A character is literally in a situation he/she can’t get
out of, but this should also be reflected internally.
 Iceberg: Where much is unknown, the actual story is
underwater, what’s left and how do we end up feeling?
 Parallel lines: Two parallel stories that match but don’t meet
 A circle: A story that begins and ends in the same place.

10. Reading Assignment
 What will follow from here is a short review on Plot. You
can also review in Chapter Six in Writing Fiction (p.
124).
 After you review, please read “What You Pawn I Will
Redeem” by Sherman Alexie (download on Canvas).
 Then answer the questions in the Discussion portal.

11. Plot & Structure
 We recently discussed plot and conflict.
 Plot is the “why” that provides meaning to the story
 Conflict and resolution of conflict is the backbone of
plot.
 Types of conflict:
 Man versus man/ man vs. self/ man vs. nature/ man vs.
society

12. Traditional Plot
Plot is the literary element that describes the structure of a story. It shows
arrangement of events and actions within a story.

13. A quicker plot chart

14. Analyze Plot
 Read “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” by Sherman
Alexie. Take a stab at these questions:
 What types of conflict exist in the story?
 Where is the crisis action in the plot?