dramaturgy Archives - bibisco blog

How Many Chapters Should a Book Have?

By Andrea Feccomandi | July 23, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

As a writer, one of the key decisions you’ll face when crafting your story is how to structure it. And an essential component of this structure is the chapter.

Chapters serve various purposes in storytelling, providing breaks, introducing new plot developments, and offering a sense of progression. But how many chapters should a book have?

In this article, we’ll explore the factors to consider when determining the number of chapters and discuss traditional and modern approaches to chapter organization.

The purpose of chapters in storytelling

Chapters play a crucial role in the overall narrative flow of a book.

They act as natural breaks, allowing readers to pause, reflect, and anticipate what’s to come. Chapters provide a sense of rhythm and pacing, helping to control the momentum of the story.

They also offer a convenient way to structure the plot, separating different story arcs or character perspectives. By dividing the story into chapters, authors can create a more cohesive and organized reading experience.

Factors to consider when determining the number of chapters

Deciding on the number of chapters for your book involves careful consideration of several factors.

First and foremost, you need to think about the length and complexity of your story. Longer and more intricate narratives may require more chapters to effectively develop the plot and characters.

Additionally, genre plays a role in determining chapter length. Action-packed genres like thrillers often have shorter chapters to maintain a fast-paced momentum, while literary fiction may opt for longer, more introspective chapters.

Another factor to consider is the target audience. Younger readers or those with shorter attention spans may benefit from shorter chapters that provide natural stopping points. On the other hand, a more mature audience might appreciate longer chapters that allow for deeper immersion in the narrative.

Lastly, the pacing and structure of your story should also influence your decision. If your plot has multiple twists and turns, shorter chapters can create tension and suspense. Conversely, if your story demands a slower build-up, longer chapters may be more suitable.

Traditional chapter structures in different genres

Different genres have different conventions when it comes to chapter structure.

For example, in mystery and suspense novels, chapters often end with cliffhangers, compelling readers to keep turning the pages. Romance novels, on the other hand, may opt for shorter chapters to heighten the emotional intensity of each scene. In historical fiction, chapters might be used to transition between different time periods or characters.

By studying the conventions of your chosen genre, you can gain insights into how other successful authors have structured their books and adapt those techniques to your own work.

However, it’s important to remember that while genre conventions can be helpful, they shouldn’t restrict your creativity. Experimenting with chapter structures can make your book stand out and create a unique reading experience.

Modern approaches to chapter organization

In recent years, authors have been exploring new and innovative ways to structure their chapters.

One popular approach is the use of non-linear narratives, where chapters jump back and forth in time or alternate between different storylines. This technique can create a sense of intrigue and keep readers engaged as they piece together the puzzle of the plot.

Another modern approach is the use of shorter chapters that mimic the fast-paced nature of digital media, catering to readers who prefer shorter bursts of information.

Additionally, some authors have embraced the idea of chapterless novels, where the story flows seamlessly without traditional chapter breaks. This approach can create a continuous reading experience, blurring the lines between different sections of the book.

However, it’s essential to balance innovation with readability and ensure that the absence of chapters doesn’t lead to confusion or a lack of structure.

“Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open.”
Ste phen King

Pros and cons of shorter chapters

Shorter chapters have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

Shorter chapters can create a sense of urgency and make the book feel more dynamic.
They provide natural stopping points for readers who want to take breaks, allowing them to easily pick up where they left off.
Short chapters can also increase the perceived pace of the story, making it feel more action-packed.

Cons:

Shorter chapters can also disrupt the flow of the narrative, making it feel fragmented or disjointed.
They may not allow for sufficient depth or development in each chapter and can sometimes feel rushed or superficial.

Pros and cons of longer chapters

Longer chapters, on the other hand, offer their own unique benefits and drawbacks.

Pros:

Longer chapters provide ample space for in-depth exploration of characters, settings, and themes.
They allow for a more immersive reading experience, giving readers the opportunity to delve deeper into the story.
Longer chapters can also create a sense of momentum, as readers become engrossed in the narrative and are reluctant to put the book down.

Cons:

Longer chapters can also feel overwhelming or daunting to some readers.
They may require more time and concentration to read, and can make it harder to find suitable stopping points.

Finding the right balance: determining the ideal number of chapters a book should have

Ultimately, the ideal number of chapters for your book will depend on the specific needs and requirements of your story.

It’s important to strike a balance between the pacing, structure, and overall flow of your narrative.

Consider the length and complexity of your plot, the preferences of your target audience, and the conventions of your chosen genre.

Experiment with different chapter lengths and structures during the drafting process to see what works best for your story.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how many chapters a book should have. It’s a decision that should be driven by the unique needs of your story.

Tips for structuring chapters effectively

To structure your chapters effectively, consider the following tips:

Begin each chapter with a strong opening that hooks the reader and sets the tone for what’s to come.
End chapters with a sense of intrigue or suspense to encourage readers to continue.
Use chapter breaks to transition between different storylines or perspectives.
Vary the length of your chapters to create a sense of rhythm and pacing.
Ensure each chapter has a clear purpose and contributes to the overall narrative arc.
Experiment with different chapter structures to find what works best for your story.
Seek feedback from beta readers or writing groups to get insights into the effectiveness of your chapter structure.

By implementing these tips, you can create a chapter structure that enhances your story and captivates your readers.

How many chapters should a book have? bibisco can help you to understand it!

When it comes to organizing the chapters of your book, the novel planning software bibisco is here to lend a hand. With bibisco, you can effortlessly divide each chapter into scenes, providing you with greater control over the development of your narrative.

Reordering chapters is also a breeze with bibisco’s drag and drop feature, allowing you to easily modify the book’s structure. But it doesn’t stop there – for every chapter, bibisco offers a dedicated card to define its purpose, ensuring there are no unnecessary or superfluous chapters in your work.

How Many Chapters Should a Book Have? bibisco's chapter' section — bibisco’s chapters sections

Additionally, bibisco provides a notes section for each chapter, enabling you to jot down all the essential ideas and information needed for the writing process.

To top it off, bibisco boasts an analysis feature that visually showcases the proportions between chapter lengths, granting you a deeper understanding and awareness of your book’s composition.

How Many Chapters Should a Book Have? bibisco's chapters length analysis — bibisco’s chapters length analysis

With bibisco’s comprehensive set of tools, your chapter organization and overall writing experience will be a smooth and rewarding journey.

DOWNLOAD BIBISCO FOR FREE NOW!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the number of chapters in a book is a decision that should be carefully considered.

Factors such as the length and complexity of your story, the preferences of your target audience, and the conventions of your genre all play a role in determining the ideal chapter structure. While traditional chapter structures provide valuable insights, don’t be afraid to experiment with modern approaches and find what works best for your unique story.

By individualizing your chapter structure, you can enhance the reading experience and create a narrative that resonates with your readers. So, take the time to craft your chapters thoughtfully, and let them serve as the building blocks of a captivating and well-structured story.

Stories Teach Us How to Be Human

By Andrea Feccomandi | May 21, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

There are stories that have a moral and leave us with a lesson. There are others that engage us because of what they tell. Stories teach us how to be human, in general. It’s a bit like the narrative of the hero’s journey, which captures the growth of the human being throughout his life.

What characteristics of stories strike readers so much that they remain in their memories?

Why Stories Teach Us How to Be Human?

It is difficult to forget a story that has given us an emotion. That emotion is stored inside our brains and returns when needed. When we find ourselves in the same situation or experience a particular moment that reminds us of a particular reading. It is a kind of handhold that helps readers to act similarly to the character whose adventures they have read about.

Stories prepare us for life, and enable us to discover dangers and opportunities. They allow us to safely explore worlds, and present us with fantasized or real worlds. They do it at a distance, while the emotions we experience during the story and even the sensations can be real. We can feel fear, anger, pain, joy, pleasure, trust, courage, love, and many other emotions. Then the story ends, but it lives on within us. It constitutes an experience that, even if fantasized, is part of us.

Psychology in narration

For this, we call psychology to the rescue. Psychologists, in fact, tell us that the need for stories is linked to specific biological entities: neurons. It seems that there are a hundred billion neurons in the adult brain. Each neuron possesses a thousand to ten thousand connections. So, the combination of brain activity is so stratospheric that it exceeds the number of elementary particles in the universe.

Then there is a particular species of neurons, discovered between the 1980s and 1990s, which are called mirror neurons. These neurons are activated when subjects perform an action and when they see another perform the same or another action. They are frequently used by children who, seeing us, learn by imitation and imitate our gestures and our behavior.
Imitating is a complex action, however, and requires the brain to adopt the person’s point of view in front of us.
And even if we never think about it, emulation is a fundamental activity for evolution.
That’s why stories teach us how to be human. Because they allow us to evolve, grow and learn with them.

Stories During the Centuries

In short, stories, first and foremost those of the great literary novels, but also simpler and more recent stories, really help us live. They make reality sustainable for us because they can be better observed and interpreted in their existential details.

In fact, in order to understand the society of an era, it is very useful for us to read its stories, novels, legends, fairy tales, or whatever.

Some Examples of Stories That Teach Us How to Be Human

A prime example of this narrative theory is ‘The Little Prince‘ by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
This is a book that is also offered to children in kindergartens. But read at another time in life, it takes on a different meaning. It is a narrative that leaves readers with a different message depending on the moment in which they read the book.

A second example is the Harry Potter saga by J.K. Rowling. This fantasy tale, divided into seven volumes, has the characteristic of growing together with the reader. The first book has more childlike, disenchanted, joyful traits. As the reading progresses, the narrative becomes more and more complex, dealing with themes that go beyond simple magic, until it becomes almost dark, suitable for a more adult audience.
It is a tale, however, that teaches how to live and deal with various situations in one’s life.

“Story is not the passive experience we perceive it to be. Instead, it is as essential an activator of our internal development as any experience we have in real life. […] Stories teach us through symbolic experiences how to be human.”
Inside Story- Dara Marks

Create a Story That Teaches Something With bibisco

With bibisco and its novel writing software, you can write a story while keeping track of any element. You can start with the plot, make notes on important items to be included in the narrative, focus on the style of the dialogue, and create character sheets for each character.
Any detail relating to the narrative will not be left to chance, but you will have everything under control.

Stories teach us how to be human- bibisco's timeline - bibisco blog | useful resources by your novel writing software — bibisco’s timeline

Conclusions

Stories tell us how to succeed in realizing a dream, a goal, an experience. They are like promises of change. Every tale has within it the seed of change.
You can discover something about yourself from the stories that attract you.
Once you are more aware of the stories that attract you, you can explore what and how many types of stories there are, and then discover how to use the stories to grow and change.

4 Must-Read Books for Writers

By Andrea Feccomandi | May 7, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

In the bibisco blog, we have provided many tips on how to write a novel, what narrative techniques to use, and how to build characters. However, there are indispensable readings in a future writer’s library, without which they would lack a righteous source of inspiration. For this reason, in this article, we propose four books you should read.

Why Recommend 4 Books You Should Read?

Narrative techniques are important; it forms the basis of the writer’s craft. But it also takes practice.

It is a bit like learning a foreign language. You start with grammar and then move on to conversation, without which you could not express yourself.

The books we recommend are excellent insights from various genres, showing how narrative techniques, dialogue, characters, and stories develop. Let’s see together what they are.

4 Must-Read Books for Writers: #1 The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

In a parallel universe dominated by a powerful organization, the Magisterium, each person has at their side a dæmon, their soul in animal form, with which the person communicates and which stays nearby, unlike witches who have bird-shaped dæmons and who can also move away from the human.

Lyra Belacqua is an orphan and lives in Jordan College in Oxford with her uncle, Lord Asriel, a wealthy scientist. Together with her dæmon Pantalaimon, she comes to discover the existence of Dust, a bizarre natural particle whose power the organization holds.

Philip Pullman‘s novel can teach a lot about how to master a science fiction screenplay but also about the surprise effect.
Indeed, there are many twists and turns in this interesting read, and despite the variety and complexity of the characters, the reader never feels any sense of confusion. Everything is clearly detailed.

No less important, it is a novel that bases its entire narrative on an enchanted object: a compass.
We have already discussed this and the importance of telling about a magical object in a previous article on our blog. This book can be a great example of that.

4 Must-Read Books for Writers: #2 On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

A second, very interesting but more technical read is definitely Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.

For a writer who wants to approach this fabulous craft in the right way, it is essential to get some advice from one of the most important and accomplished authors of our time: Stephen King. On writing, is an essay, part autobiography, and part writing manual.

In the text, Stephen King invents the concept of a “toolbox.” This is the image that every writer must possess and the tools in it that they must know how to use. The most common is vocabulary.
The writer says not to be ashamed of one’s vocabulary, not to try to force it or enrich it at all costs, as even the most “meager” vocabulary can still make for a very good read.

4 Must-Read Books for Writers: #3 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Among the 4 books you should read, we recommend And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.

Ten guests are invited to spend time on a desert island by a stranger. One by one, however, they pay for their alleged sins with their lives. As the circle tightens, the suspense grows.

Great mystery novels teach how to master the plot and mislead the reader’s suspicions to hide the real culprit until the end of the narrative. This is something that is by no means easy to do. There are many aspects to remember, such as character building, motive, and the final twist.

In fact, Agatha Christie herself recounted how this was the most difficult novel to write in her entire career. But one of the undisputed queens of the thriller genre is Agatha Christie, who never bored or disappointed readers in her seemingly simple novels.

4 Must-Read Books for Writers: #4 Harry Potter series by J.K.Rowling

To conclude the recommendations on the 4 books you should read, among the masterpieces of fiction, we cannot fail to mention the entire Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling, a British writer, was able to think and create a world parallel to the human one for young and old alike.

The special feature of her novels is that they grow together with their readers. The early novels are more lighthearted, more childlike, and fun. Moving on to the later ones, however, we notice darker and darker elements that are part of the human soul, revealing aspects such as betrayals, jealousy, and fear.

Similarly and in keeping with the same philosophy of the fictional series, Warner Bros. also decided to darken the initial logo seen at the beginning of the Harry Potter movies, going from a bright gold in the first film to black in the last.

The series is about a young boy, Harry Potter, who lives in a small town near London with his aunt and uncle. On his fourteenth birthday, he discovers that he is a little wizard and that the wizarding school of Hogwarts is waiting to welcome him to its desks.

There he will meet Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, who will become his best friends and with whom he will share many adventures as he searches for the truth about his past and Lord Voldemort, an evil figure in the wizarding world.

If you want to be a writer, there are two basic exercises: read a lot and write a lot
Stephen King

Can’t wait to start writing? bibisco is by your side!

With these 4 books you should read, have we enticed you to get to work right away? Don’t forget that as you think and write your narrative, bibisco can support you in several ways.

With its novel writing software, you can create your characters, keeping track of characters, physical characteristics, objects that appear in the story, and more. It will be like having an experienced writer guide you as you write your narrative.

Dramaturgy series - 4 books you should read- bibisco's characters' section - bibisco blog | useful resources by your novel writing software — track a character’s main events using bibisco

DOWNLOAD BIBISCO FOR FREE NOW!

Conclusions

Between all the techniques, suggestions, and tricks for writing a novel well that is interesting and keeps the reader breathless until the last pages, practice must be taken into account.

Part of this practice is precisely reading other books, other examples from which you can also draw inspiration. In this article, we have seen 4 Must-Read Books for Writers.

What is the Premise of a Novel?

By Andrea Feccomandi | May 1, 2023

What are the indispensable ingredients of a good book? Among the fundamental ones is undoubtedly the premise. And it can be summed up with the question: “What do you want to tell?“.

A few essential passages define the premise, one of the basic elements of the narrative. Let us see together how to create a correct premise.

What is the Premise?

What is the premise of a novel? The premise is one of the two main threads of a story.

The first thread is the plot, which differs significantly from the premise. The plot explains what happens in a story. The premise, on the other hand, corresponds to why the events of that narrative happen. It is, thus, the ultimate goal. It establishes the underlying motivation for a story to follow a certain path to a specific conclusion.

Put simply, the premise is the ‘moral‘ of the story. This is why the concept can be summed up with the question, “What do you want to tell?”. As an author, what do you really want to write about?

Over the centuries, various authors have tried to give their own interpretation of the concept of the premise. For Christopher Vogler, for example, it was a statement by the author about an aspect of life that remains below the story.
Robert McKnee, on the other hand, defined the premise with the term ‘control label’. He described how and why life changes from one condition of existence at the beginning (of the story) to a different one at the end.

What is the Purpose of the Premise of a Novel?

Why should an author think about the premise when starting to write a narrative? Because the premise makes it possible not to get lost in the maze of events, it gives unity and organicity to the story and gives it a direction.

Consider, for example, the Harry Potter saga, a series of beautiful novels by J.K. Rowling. The premise of the stories is to remind the reader that magic exists within each person. In the first book, Harry responds to the first approach to magic by saying, “I can’t be a wizard. I mean, I am Harry. Just Harry.”

To realize a good promise, the author must think carefully, even going outside the classical canons imposed by society. In general, when we think of the moral of a story, we automatically think that justice beats injustice, that goodness beats badness. However, authors do not necessarily have to adapt to these canons. If they feel that avarice, for example, leads to success, it is right that they reason on this kind of premise and create a narrative that leads to this conclusion.

I have always loved science fiction. One of my favorite shows is ‘Star Trek.’ I like the trips, where it drops my mind off, because they give you a premise and all of a sudden, you say, ‘Oh!’ and I’m fascinated by it.
Leslie Nielsen

Define the Premise of Your Story with bibisco

bibisco, thanks to its novel planning software, can help you build and complete the premise of your novel.

The author has the opportunity to take inspiration, make notes and calmly reason out the real meaning of the narrative. It will thus be easier to start writing a story, keeping in mind this fundamental element that, as we have explained, moves the whole narrative in the background.

bibisco's architecture section - What is the Premise of a Novel? — bibisco’s architecture section

DOWNLOAD BIBISCO FOR FREE NOW!

Conclusions

What is the premise of a novel? In storytelling, plot, and premise are two fundamental elements, similar but simultaneously different.
The premise is the closure of the story. It explains why certain events happened and, therefore, is linked to the plot. The premise coincides, thus, with the why of the narrative.

How to Create a Great Prologue and Epilogue for Your Story

By Andrea Feccomandi | March 27, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

In addition to the many narrative techniques and characters we have discussed in bibisco blog, there is one fundamental aspect of any narrative. Create a great prologue and epilogue. What is the difference between these two? There are specific characteristics they should have. Let us look at the details of the prologue and epilogue together.

Create great prologue and epilogue: differences between them

Before speaking about how to create a great prologue and epilogue, we have to clarify what they really are. First of all, the prologue is the antecedent, it is the introduction to the narrative. In fiction, the prologue may have the function of introducing the action or anticipating it. It can also act as an initial explanation or even, in some cases, anticipate the ending of the story.

The epilogue, on the contrary, is the ending of a novel. This is also the moment when the reader leaves the imaginary world created by the writer and returns to the real world.

Create great prologue and epilogue: characteristics and roles

Many authors recommend writing the prologue at the end of the writing process when you have a clear idea of the novel. Others, however, believe that the prologue should be written earlier because it helps the author in writing the story.
In any case, it is good to remember that the prologue must add something to the narrative. It must not be superfluous or repeat elements that are already contained in the narrative. As we have anticipated, its purpose is to interest the reader and anticipate the narrative.

Concerning epilogues, to write good endings, you can recall images, details, and symbols that you have previously included in the story so that the prologue, development, and epilogue compose a solid and homogeneous structure. An author can, as Tarantino did in Pulp Fiction, end by linking back to the opening scene.

Why create a great prologue and epilogue for your story

The prologue, when present, has specific purposes. It must immediately interest the reader and anticipate the story.
It is, therefore, a very useful element, especially when the story is very complex, has many facets, or if the author uses a complex narrative technique such as one that requires the use of several time plans, or many characters.

The epilogue, on the other hand, which corresponds to the ending of the narrative, should surprise the reader. It must aim to leave the reader satisfied, and melancholic at the departure of the story and the characters. It must be unexpected, but in the end, the only possible ending.

Some examples of the prologue

There are in fact, two types of prologue: one that is part of the story and one that is external to the narrative and has an autonomous function.

An example of a prologue used very often, also in the world of cinema, is the flashforward. This consists of anticipating an important event that occurs later in the story. Usually, after inserting this type of prologue, the story should begin with the words ‘tot. hours before’ or ‘tot. years before’.

Another very frequent example is the ‘zero point‘ of the story. That is the explanation of the triggering event. Usually, this prologue involves secondary characters or characters who do not play a significant role in the story.
After inserting this prologue, the story begins with the words ‘tot. hours/years later’.

Some examples of the epilogue

There are different types of epilogues. On one side, the closed epilogue answers all the questions that were posed in the plot, and every character finds its square. Everything is explained by a cause. On the other side, the open epilogue leaves certain doubts in the mind of the reader, who will be forced to guess based on the events and clues in the plot. It is suitable if a sequel to the story is planned.

The author can use other two types of epilogue. The circular one takes the reader back to the starting point. It ends the novel with the same concept, image, or words used at the beginning. Finally, there is the In media res epilogue.

This is increasingly adopted today. The novel ends when the story is not yet finished, for instance, with a gesture, a description, or a dialogue. There is the feeling of a suspended, ambiguous ending, which is meant to give the impression that the story is much longer (it starts earlier and ends later) and we are only spectators of a segment.

The key to the ending of any story lies in giving the audience what they want, but not in the way they expect.
William Goldman

Use bibisco to create a great prologue and epilogue for your story

The prologue and the epilogue have two particular roles, as we have explained. However, they are not easy elements to write and create from scratch because they can lead to confusion, in the case of the epilogue, or fall into the infodump (overabundance of information) in the case of the prologue. Take advantage of bibisco‘s story planning software to write your narration, prologue, and epilogue.

bibisco allows you to keep track of any element, note, and characteristic. You won’t leave anything to chance, and you won’t risk repeating information. You will then have fantastic help!

bibisco's chapters' section - How to Create a Great Prologue and Epilogue — bibisco’s chapters’ section

DOWNLOAD BIBISCO FOR FREE NOW!

Conclusions

How to create a great prologue and epilogue for your story? The prologue and the epilogue are two fundamental elements of narration. But it is not as easy to write them, as it may seem. They have specific characteristics and roles in narration, and they have to be written with attention to be a great prologue and epilogue.

Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling

By Andrea Feccomandi | March 13, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

Have you ever noticed that Disney-Pixar cartoons also have a narrative pattern, just like the narratives we have discussed in previous articles? Indeed, there is a recurring pattern. Rules compose the way Pixar tells the story to its viewers. This is our Dramaturgy series with Pixar’s 22 rules of storytelling.

What are Pixar’s 22 rules of storytelling?

Pixar’s 22 rules of storytelling can be a useful outline to follow in constructing your own narrative.

Storytelling, or the science of storytelling, is a methodology that uses narrative as a means created by the mind to frame events in reality and explains them according to a logic of meaning.

It differs from simple storytelling, however, because it starts with the purpose of achieving a communication goal. It is not limited to a simple chronology of events (chronicle), but its goal is to lead users to empathize, feeling the story as their own. In doing so, the message pierces all barriers because it becomes the viewer’s personal narrative.

Beginning with the first film produced by Disney and Pixar in 1995, Toy Story, the elements of storytelling that Pixar has often followed can be grouped into a list of 22 rules.

Pixar’s rules of storytelling

The viewer admires a character for trying more than success: a character who makes attempts and fails, showing that they are able to improve themself and turn the situation around, is an honest and sincere character to whom one becomes attached.
You have to think with the viewer’s head and create a narrative that entertains the audience, not just the writer of the story.
Starting with a theme is essential, but the most important and interesting part of the story develops only at the end of the narrative. Once you get to the ending, reread the story and rewrite it.
There are structures that are repeated in Pixar storytelling. Expressions that are also part of the world of fairy tales such as “Once upon a time there was…”, “One day…”, “Because of that…”, and “Until finally…”.
Less is more. Simplify the characters, make them interact with each other, and avoid any kind of digression that is unnecessary. A story with few elements is much better than one with too many details, which is confusing.
Think about the character you created and what they are good at. Don’t make them feel in their comfort zone. Otherwise, they won’t have a chance to make mistakes and make the audience fall in love. Put your character to the test.
Don’t get caught up in the narrative, not knowing what the ending of the story will be. That is the most important part, the part that will have a moral and that will stick with the audience. The advice is to think about the narrative and already the ending, then to write aiming for the ending you have in mind.
Perfection is difficult to achieve and is often not the goal of good storytelling. There are imperfect narratives, however, that are beautiful and remain in memories.
Writer’s block happens to everyone and is something that can stop a narrative. In this case, make a list of things that would not happen in your storytelling. Often inspiration comes from just something you would have never initially considered.
Read a lot and take inspiration from many stories. Make what you like your own and think about how to bring it back into your narrative.
Think of as many ideas as you can think of and write them down. Seeing your inspirations in black and white will help you not to forget them and incorporate them more easily into the storytelling.
As we have said, little is always better. Once the narrative is written, start eliminating one thing, then a second, a third, and so on, until you arrive at a basic but essential narrative.
The audience likes characters who have their own opinion and character. Indifferent and impassive characters, on the other hand, bore and appeal to no one.
For what reason are you telling this story? What is the reason you started writing it and want to make it public? Express it.
Think about your characters. How would you behave if you were in their place? Put a little bit of you into the narrative.
As mentioned, the audience likes to see the attempts rather than the successes of the characters. However, it is necessary to make it clear what is at stake, and the purpose of the attempts; otherwise, the viewer may feel lost.
If you get stuck at a standstill, don’t push it. Move on; think of something else. It may be that what you wrote down that stuck you initially will come in handy later.
Writing a story is a test of oneself. Often hidden sides of a writer come out that one did not know. Sometimes they don’t even fit into the story and don’t make it perfect. Don’t think that, in this case, your narrative needs to be rewritten–storytelling tests a writer and allows him or her to get to know themselves more deeply.
Write about coincidences that test your characters. These are the elements that make a narrative interesting. Those, however, that get them out of trouble are much less interesting.
In item 11, we suggested writing down the ideas. Similarly, try to think of a movie you did not like and write down why. Take these elements you didn’t like, fix them and make them interesting in your storytelling.
After thinking about your character and whether you would behave the same way, also try to explain why. Provide explanations for your characters’ behaviors.
By now, you must have realized that the more essential a story is, the better. However, try to convey what is the heart of the narrative and its essence. The elements that surround it are outlined.

If the conflict in your story merely allows your character to show their skills, or to stretch them, you’re only halfway there. Try cranking up the discomfort, forcing your characters to dispense with whatever baggage is hindering them, and build themselves anew, to deal with the threats you’ve created.
Dean Movshovitz- Pixar Storytelling: Rules for Effective Storytelling Based on Pixar’s Greatest Films

bibisco and the rules of storytelling

Using bibisco’s novel writing software can provide several benefits for writers who want to apply Pixar’s 22 rules of storytelling. Here are a few ways in which bibisco can help:

Organization: keeping track of the 22 rules of storytelling and the basic elements of storytelling can be overwhelming. However, bibisco’s software provides a structured framework for writers to organize their ideas and notes in a way that makes sense.
Planning: bibisco’s software includes tools for outlining and planning a story. This can help writers to apply Pixar’s storytelling rules in a deliberate and strategic way, ensuring that each element of the story contributes to the overall narrative.
Character Development: Pixar’s rules emphasize the importance of well-developed characters. Bibisco’s software includes features for creating detailed character profiles, allowing writers to flesh out their characters and ensure that they are consistent throughout the story.
Revision: one of Pixar’s storytelling rules is to “simplify and focus.” Bibisco’s software can help writers to identify areas where their story may be too complex or unfocused, allowing them to revise and refine their work.

Pixar's 22 rules of storytelling- bibisco's chapters section - bibisco blog | useful resources by your novel writing software — bibisco’s chapters section

Overall, using bibisco’s novel writing software can be a valuable tool for writers who want to apply Pixar’s 22 rules of storytelling. By providing a structured framework for organization, planning, character development, and revision, bibisco can help writers to create more compelling and effective stories.

DOWNLOAD BIBISCO FOR FREE NOW!

Conclusions

Each narrative is different and should not reproduce the same elements as the previous one. These rules, however, are a great starting point from which to begin building storytelling that captures the audience and allows you to create characters that the viewer will fall in love with.

How To Craft A Perfect Scene For Your Story

By Andrea Feccomandi | December 11, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

When you come up with a new story to write, what is the first element you start with? Maybe the characters, maybe the setting, and almost certainly also the story.
However, when does the moment come when you start to create the scene? Read our guide to find out how to create a perfect scene.

What is a perfect scene?

A story consists of a set of scenes. Each scene represents an element in itself, which must be conclusive in its own way. The scene, with the fabula and the plot, are among the building blocks of a narrative.
You can divide any literary production into scenes (descriptive, dialogue, introductory, and so on).

Dividing the novel into scenes can help to draw up the outline of the work and accompany the author in both the writing and revision stages.

One can also decide to write the whole story in chronological order and then move some scenes earlier or later, thus creating more movement in the narrative rhythm.

Be careful, however, not to write superfluous scenes. These not only disperse the rhythm of the narrative but also risk confusing and boring the reader.

How to create a perfect scene: suggestions

There are 8 different steps to create a perfect scene. Here is the list:

Purpose
Climax
Conflict
Change
Point of view
Structure
Beginning and End
Details

Let’s now see every single step in detail:

Purpose: Everything must hinge on the concept of action-process-decision-new action. Reflecting on this concept is what we unconsciously do in our daily lives. It is, therefore, important that each scene captures this concept, even if only with a few lines.

The purpose of the scene is then crucial because it shows what the author wants to express. If the intention is to show a part of the character of the protagonist, this is the right time to devote a space to him and think that the purpose of the scene is just that.

Climax: A scene must have a peak moment, a moment of maximum tension. We speak of climax in narration. It is the moment in which the scene reveals its true intention.

Conflict: Each scene must convey tension to the reader to capture his attention and keep him glued to the book. Writing about conflict is the key. The author can think of a conflict between two characters or an inner conflict of the protagonist. As long as one understands what is at stake.

Change: The characters change in the course of the narrative. They learn, face situations that challenge them, and change their attitudes. Another characteristic of a perfect scene is to show character change.

Point of view: A scene can be seen from the point of view of the reader, another character, the author themself, or the character experiencing the described scene. This is generally referred to as the point of view. This step is to be defined while thinking about the first step, that of the purpose of the scene.

Structure: Every single scene consists of a structure. If the author starts describing the scene from an accurate but too long description of the environment, there is a risk of losing the reader’s attention and some basic elements of the scene (such as the climax).

A good suggestion is to start from the middle of the scene or from the end, creating a reversal of events.

Beginning and End: We have said how important it is to start a scene well. Equally crucial is the conclusion. A scene must conclude and have an end so that it is not left hanging. If it ends with a special event or a punchline, even better.

Details: Now that we have sketched the scene, we need to spice it up with details. A scene without any description, without details, would be bare. So think of meaningful details that can enrich the scene.

This is the squalid, or moving, part of the story, and the scene changes. The people change, too. I’m still around, but from here on in, for reasons I’m not at liberty to disclose, I’ve disguised myself so cunningly that even the cleverest reader will fail to recognize me.
J.D. Salinger, Nine Stories

Need some help to craft a perfect scene for your story? There’s bibisco!

Have you read the list above to create a perfect scene but are afraid of getting lost in some detail? No fear! bibisco comes with this innovative writing software that helps you keep track of everything. You can enter your characters, their physical and character traits.

You can write the scenes, insert the objects of your story, decide the chronology of events.
With bibisco you will not miss a thing and you will have a valuable helper when writing your narrative.

how to craft a perfect scene for your story- bibisco's chapter' section - bibisco blog | useful resources by your novel writing software — bibisco’s chapter section

Conclusions

Scene construction is fundamental to the structure of the narrative. It is not something that can be easily invented but there are elements that must be taken into account.

In this guide you learn how to craft a perfect scene for your story.

How To Apply Time Travel Theories In Your Novel

By Andrea Feccomandi | November 27, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

There are many novels about traveling through time, into the past, or projected into an imaginary future.
What, however, lies behind these theories of time travel? We explain that in this new article on our bibisco’s blog.

What are time travel theories?

Time travel theories directly link to quantum physics.
According to scientists, time travel is possible because men have created the concept of past and future, but no one has ever scientifically proved it.
In fact, if we go and check Newton‘s studies, we find nothing about this. Even in Einstein‘s Theory of Relativity, we find no laws of quantum physics that deny the possibility of time travel.

Therefore, the most recent discoveries in physics show that time travel, at least at the subatomic level, is already happening.
Think of the time anomalies that researchers periodically discover all over the world. We had already read reports of scientists discovering objects or skeletal remains of men and women millions of years old before humanity evolved on the planet.
How could objects, or people, who did not even exist at that time, have ended up there?

Time travel: why it attracts the reader?

Time travel is a theme that has inspired the imagination of many writers. Indeed, the possibility of traveling into the past and future opens up endless opportunities for the characters in a book, such as changing the course of events, becoming part of history, or exploring past and future eras to interpret them with the mindsets of another period.

Books about time travel have also entered the imagination for their ability to take readers of all ages out of the present world for a few moments, involving them in a compelling story, and then take them out again through one or more time jumps.

When you want to get away from the present moment, reading a book about time travel can be a great way to relax.

Few rules about time travel narration

Like every other narrative technique, there is always a downside.

Time travel is a strong attraction, as we have written. However, it is also challenging to set up precisely because it consists of a jump within the timeline.

You have to organize the narrative and the characters well and avoid indulging in too much time travel. The risk is to confuse the reader, not to relax him. Instead, the main aim is to make them feel so much a part of the narrative that they cannot stop reading.

Time travel narration: some examples

Writers started telling stories about time travel as early as the 1300s. They were also already writing about magical objects capable of time travel, wizards, and spells.

Many examples of books and films base their narrative on time travel.
One of the most recent and famous is “Tenet” by Christopher Nolan. Also, in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban“, time is traveled using a magical element, the time wheel, which Dumbledore gives to Hermione at the beginning of the school year.

Then let’s not forget a Christmas classic, “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, where the three ghosts of the past, present, and future visit the rich protagonist Scrooge on Christmas Eve.
Finally, we cannot fail to mention the film “Back to the Future“, where the two protagonists, Marty McFly and Doc, travel through time aboard a special Delorean-DMC12.

bibisco and the time travel theories

Do you want to write a story about time travel? It is always better in these cases to have the support of good software that can help you maintain a logical thread to avoid getting lost in the narrative as you travel between the past, present, and future.
Thanks to bibisco writing software, you can create an imaginative narrative without fear of confusing your reader. You can keep everything under control with this powerful and helpful tool.

bibisco's timeline - How To Apply Time Travel Theories In Your Novel — bibisco’s timeline

Conclusions

Do you want to write a story about time travel? It is always better in these cases to have the support of good software that can help you maintain a logical thread to avoid getting lost in the narrative as you travel between the past, present, and future.
Thanks to bibisco’s innovative writing software, you can create an imaginative narrative without fear of confusing your reader. You can keep everything under control with this powerful and helpful tool.

Do You Know The Difference Between Fabula And Plot?

By Andrea Feccomandi | October 30, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

Two fundamental elements of any story are the fabula and the plot.
Without these two elements, it is not possible to create a narrative. It is from here, therefore, that every writer starts to construct their narrative.

What are the Fabula and Plot?

The fabula is the narration of the events in the order of their logical-temporal sequence.

It is, therefore, clear that the fabula is a fact; it represents what happens (and things happen in chronological order, causes before effects).

An example of a fabula is the Divine Comedy. Dante‘s journey is essentially linear. Each stage is necessary to access the next scenario and set the events in the correct chronological order.

On the other side, there is the plot. The plot is when the author can establish how the individual events of the story are to take place. In other words, it is the mode we choose to narrate the facts.

The author is, therefore, free to choose which way to tell the facts.

There are different types of plot

resolution plot: the transformative action concludes a concrete crisis (a meeting, a marriage, …);

revelation plot: the characters carry out a revelation process, increasing their knowledge or consciousness.

unified plot: in which the plot unfolds over successive, closely connected episodes;

episodic plot: individual episodes present weak links to one another while carrying a single narrative corpus.

Plot and fabula: where to start?

Some writers prefer to start and define the fabula and then concentrate on the plot. This allows them first to define the events and then think about how to present them to the reader.

In other cases, on the contrary, fabula and plot do not coincide. To make stories more compelling and exciting, authors often disregard the chronological order of the fabula and construct the plot of their texts with time lags.

Two narrative techniques allow you to reverse the story’s events: analepsis and prolepsis.

The analepsis (or flashback or retrospection) consists of a jump back in time, whereby what happened previously is recounted.
The prolepsis (or flashforward or anticipation) is the opposite technique to flashback, which consists of a leap forward in time, whereby one anticipates what will happen in the future.

When the plot does not coincide with the fabula, it is up to the reader to reconstruct the chronological order of events after reading through an operation of personal abstraction. By reading the story, they will mentally put the pieces back together, restoring their logical-chronological succession.

bibisco can help you to choose the fabula and the plot

As anticipated, the fabula and the plot are among the two main elements to think about before creating a narrative.
However, the writer has the choice of whether to create a coherence of events or not.
bibisco, thanks to its innovative writing software, helps you in this difficult choice and to identify the events of the fabula so that you can present them in the plot without the risk of forgetting something or confusing the reader.

Dramaturgy Series #6: Fabula and plot- bibisco's architecture of the novel & narrative strands - bibisco blog | useful resources by your novel writing software

Conclusions

When you want to start writing a novel, you should avoid writing without an outline, not knowing the events you want to include in the narrative.

Each author has the freedom to choose the order to present the events narrated in their text: they can describe the events scrupulously following their chronological order, or they can decide to anticipate certain future events or explain past events.

In short, he can organize the succession of their narrative by playing with fabula and plot.

What Is The Story’s Premise? It Is The Safe Compass That Will Guide Your Narrative Into Port

By Andrea Feccomandi | October 8, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

There is a crucial part of writing a novel besides character creation and narrative techniques. It is about the premise.

The premise is a fundamental element of the narrative that should not be overlooked because it represents the compass that guides the narration for the writers.
Let us see what it is about in detail.

What is the premise?

In simple terms, the premise contains the entire novel in just one sentence: conflict and its resolution. The premise is your guide when you write your book: the conclusion must start from conflict.

It is the soul of the story. It is the premise we give ourselves in working out the different scenes, not something the reader/viewer knows beforehand. A common thread of the story to design it better.

How to write the premise?

The greatest difficulty in creating a premise lies in understanding that it is impossible to notice where the premise ends and where stories and characters begin in a well-written story.

No one part must override the others; the whole must blend harmonically.
The premise must be honest, transparent, and forthright.
The premise should be formulated with the “Theme-Conflict-Result” structure. It is essential that the premise be expressed with a cause-and-effect formula and should be constructed according to these three elements, of which the first should suggest the protagonist (i.e., something inherent in his fatal flaw or winning endowment), the second should present a possible conflict, and the third should tell us the outcome.

Premise: some examples

Let us give some well-known examples to understand the premise better.

Let us think of “The Godfather“, a film by Francis Ford Coppola. The film’s premise is “The Godfather: Loyalty to one’s family leads to a life of crime.“

On the other hand, Romeo and Juliet’s premise is “Romeo and Juliet: great love conquers even death.“

While again, to stay with Shakespeare, Macbeth‘s premise is “ruthless ambition leads to self-destruction.”

Moral of the story and premise: What is the difference?

The premise is not something rationally provable, but it is what the author will argue implicitly throughout the story.

That is why the premise must be something you believe in or have believed in the past long enough to be full of ideas, situations, reflections, and nuances to deal with so that it flows naturally from you.

The moral is what a story might teach us.

The narrative premise, on the other hand, is what the writer wants to demonstrate with their story.

Often the premise is not something you decide at the table before you begin, but something you discover as you design the story, when situations and characters marked by your stylistic fingerprint start to suggest what the story will be about deep down. You may even fully understand your premise only after the first draft.

A princess’s life is in danger and a young man uses his warrior skills to save her and thus defeat the evil force represented by the Galactic Empire.
Star Wars premise

Write your premise with the help of bibisco

Have you ever thought about using an innovative tool that could give you a hand in creating your narrative without making you miss the steps?

bibisco's premise section - What Is The Story's Premise? It Is The Safe Compass That Will Guide Your Narrative Into Port. | bibisco blog useful resources from your novel writing software — bibisco’s premise section

bibisco, with its innovative writing software, can help you with that. Discover this innovative tool’s functions that facilitate you while writing your novel and even your premise.

Conclusions

The premise may sound cliché or a silly little phrase, but it is the element that sums up a good story and hundreds of other similar stories. The whole story must serve the premise, with carefully chosen scenes to support it. The premise makes that series of scenes a unique and coherent story.

Therefore, the premise must be correct, transparent, and truthful so as not to confuse readers while reading the novel and confuse them.