Thread by Nathan Baugh
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- Jun 25, 2022
- #StoryTelling #Writing
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Harry Potter is the #2 best-selling book of the last quarter century.
Only behind The Bible.
And JK Rowling used 1 storytelling framework for the entire series.
Here’s a breakdown:
Only behind The Bible.
And JK Rowling used 1 storytelling framework for the entire series.
Here’s a breakdown:
We view Harry Potter as a whimsical children’s tale turned adult series that captured the minds of millions with magic.
But it wasn’t magic.
It was @jk_rowling’s masterclass in storytelling structure…
But it wasn’t magic.
It was @jk_rowling’s masterclass in storytelling structure…
Here’s the actual outline she used to plan chapters 13-24 of The Order of the Phoenix.
Based on interviews, we can guess she used the same (or a very similar) structure across each of the books.
And across the series as a whole.
Let’s look at the key concepts:
Based on interviews, we can guess she used the same (or a very similar) structure across each of the books.
And across the series as a whole.
Let’s look at the key concepts:
The outline is divided into 10 columns.
Broadly, the 10 can be sorted into two buckets:
1/ Progress & Progression
2/ Subplots & Characters
It’s brilliant in its simplicity.
Broadly, the 10 can be sorted into two buckets:
1/ Progress & Progression
2/ Subplots & Characters
It’s brilliant in its simplicity.
Progress & Progression
Every story needs to feel like it’s ripping forward.
JK does this with:
— time
— chapter
— plot
The pace makes the reader turn the page.
Every story needs to feel like it’s ripping forward.
JK does this with:
— time
— chapter
— plot
The pace makes the reader turn the page.
Subplots & Characters
Storytelling is about maximizing tension and conflict.
The 5th Harry Potter was over 850 pages.
But only had 1 main plot, 5 subplots, and less than 10 key characters.
Lesson: focus your story.
Storytelling is about maximizing tension and conflict.
The 5th Harry Potter was over 850 pages.
But only had 1 main plot, 5 subplots, and less than 10 key characters.
Lesson: focus your story.
Let’s look back at the outline.
Each row is a chapter.
And each chapter includes at least 3 subplots.
They’re all interconnected and they all drive the main plot forward.
There is zero wasted space, and JK does the same thing from book 1 to 7.
Each row is a chapter.
And each chapter includes at least 3 subplots.
They’re all interconnected and they all drive the main plot forward.
There is zero wasted space, and JK does the same thing from book 1 to 7.
The hallmark of incredible storytelling is an epic finale.
The finale is the hardest to write and eastiest to get wrong. You have to wrap up all subplots, complete character arcs, and stay true to the series.
This is where Rowling’s structure and planning shines:
The finale is the hardest to write and eastiest to get wrong. You have to wrap up all subplots, complete character arcs, and stay true to the series.
This is where Rowling’s structure and planning shines:
If @jk_rowling does have a structure like this wrapped around the whole series, this is what I imagine it looks like:
– 7 books for 7 years
– 1 main plot per book
– 5 interconnected subplots throughout
All designed to come to a crescendo in book 7.
– 7 books for 7 years
– 1 main plot per book
– 5 interconnected subplots throughout
All designed to come to a crescendo in book 7.
Rowling told the story in layers.
She interconnected:
– the current generation
– the previous generation
– the generation before that
Each layer added a level of complexity for both her and the reader.
But her structure kept it cohesive.
She interconnected:
– the current generation
– the previous generation
– the generation before that
Each layer added a level of complexity for both her and the reader.
But her structure kept it cohesive.
Rowling’s control over a 7-book series spanning from 1996 to 2007 is remarkable.
Even more amazing, she became the world’s first author-billionaire.
And then gave away so much money that she lost her billionaire status.
Baller move
Even more amazing, she became the world’s first author-billionaire.
And then gave away so much money that she lost her billionaire status.
Baller move
That’s it for today!
If you enjoyed that:
— I write 1-2x breakdowns like this per week; follow @nathanbaugh27 to catch those
— I wrote this piece with my friend @respectmywrites; follow him for more on brand and creativity
Here’s another you might like:
If you enjoyed that:
— I write 1-2x breakdowns like this per week; follow @nathanbaugh27 to catch those
— I wrote this piece with my friend @respectmywrites; follow him for more on brand and creativity
Here’s another you might like:
Storytelling is the most important skill you can learn.
Become a better storyteller with my free weekly newsletter: www.worldbuilders.ai/subscribe
Become a better storyteller with my free weekly newsletter: www.worldbuilders.ai/subscribe
