Comments on: Writing Excuses Season 2 Episode 8: The Three Act Structure with Bob Defendi

By: Taylor

Taylor — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 20:22:43 +0000

Regarding the three-act system, here’s how I look at it for fantasy. Consider the all-powerful Harry Potter series.

Act I: Discovery
Harry Potter learns he’s a wizard. Learns about the world. Comparable to the exposition in Freytag’s pyramid. Books 1-2 inclusive.

Act II: Intensification
At this point, discovery is starting to get old and will not hold the story up. Harry becomes more aware of the conflict which will carry the rest of the story through Act III. Comparable to the rising action in Freytag’s pyramid. Books 3-4 inclusive.

Act III: Immersion
At the beginning of the third act, there are preparations for the “final battle.” In Harry Potter’s case, this is very much a literal interpretation. The overall goal becomes the main conflict, and the tone of the book becomes more serious. Harry directly opposes Voldemort, and that external conflict is at the forefront of his mind 99% of the time. Books 5-7 inclusive.

By: John Philip Johnson

John Philip Johnson — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:38:47 +0000

Hey guys, when you click the “Plot” word in the topics cloud, this episode does not appear on the list, and there is no “go on to previous episodes” at the bottom of the list, either. Thought you might want to know.

By: Red, Part III – Structure « Urban Phantasy

Red, Part III – Structure « Urban Phantasy — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 04:56:48 +0000

[...] to explain, drawing this post out past its original purpose, I will simply point you to this episode of Writing Excuses for a good working definition of what I’ve been talking [...]

By: Mike Barker

Mike Barker — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:09:54 +0000

transcribing away . . .

http://mbarker.livejournal.com/96236.html

By: Understanding the Three Act Structure « Wingcolor

Understanding the Three Act Structure « Wingcolor — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:16:06 +0000

[...] Writing Excuses podcast, which I’ve newly discovered, and absolutely love, and specifically, Season 2, Episode 8, which is on the three act structure. One of them (I haven’t been listening long enough to [...]

By: WEKM

WEKM — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 13:12:21 +0000

Mistakenly, I once did. Boy did I get reamed for that.

By: Raethe

Raethe — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:17:40 +0000

Haha. Howard’s probably wished so many times he could tell that to a customer on the phone.

I know I had days like that when I was working tech support.

By: Howard Tayler

Howard Tayler — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:10:19 +0000

@ Jake I am so glad that the computer software I use is no longer a political statement. Sorry to hear about the Novell client issues… I guess I’m also glad I’m not you.

By: John Brown

John Brown — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:44:55 +0000

I love Swain. I think there’s a reason he’s still in print. Glad you like the site as well.

By: Guerry

Guerry — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:37:29 +0000

@John Brown

By the way, I like your site very much.

Also, the Dwight Swain book keeps coming up. Time to get it, either now or for Christmas.

Thanks,

Guerry