Comments on: The Beating Heart of Your Story—Structure

By: Lynette M Burrows

Lynette M Burrows — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 13:50:33 +0000

In reply to Diana Stout. Thanks, Diana! Love that moment when a book cracks open a new level of writing (or anything).

By: Diana Stout

Diana Stout — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 16:36:01 +0000

It was Chris Vogler's book, The Writer's Journey, that cracked plotting for me when it first came out and turned me into a plotter complete with a science board turned storyboard. Great post, Lynette!

By: Lynette M Burrows

Lynette M Burrows — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 13:37:59 +0000

In reply to Julia. How thoughtful of you, Julia. You're welcome. I'm sorry you had such rigid instructions, but I'm glad they passed you.

By: Lynette M Burrows

Lynette M Burrows — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 13:35:23 +0000

In reply to Julia. I've done that too, Denise. Keep writing!

By: Lynette M Burrows

Lynette M Burrows — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 13:33:53 +0000

In reply to Gale Leach. You're welcome, Gale. I'm so happy this came at a time that is useful to you.

By: Julia

Julia — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 10:01:13 +0000

i read this with great interest, and thank you, Lynette, for taking the time and effort to write another Writers in the Storm post, that the team so generously produce for free.

I don't take that for granted.

I will need some time and thought to digest this, but it is all wonderfully freeing for someone who was originally taught that The Hero's Journey is THE way to structure a story.

I did actually rebel somewhat, and wrote my graduate novel in the structure of The Heroine's Journey/Descent of Inana (which I discovered for myself). Not sure they approved, but they passed it!

I agree with the other comments. Thank you again.

By: denise

denise — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:59:49 +0000

I try to maintain as I go along, but I'll go back and retrofit as necessary.

By: Gale Leach

Gale Leach — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:16:17 +0000

This is a WONDERFUL post, filled with so much good information. I learned more reading this than in some classes I've taken. I hadn't heard of the Story Circle, and it will be of help very soon. The others were familiar, but your examples crystalized previously blurry elements. I'm coming up on the end of the first draft of the last book in a series, and I can't wait to try these methods to assess its structure. I can usually "feel" when the structure is working properly, but it would be nice to validate it in these ways. Thank you so much!

By: Lynette M Burrows

Lynette M Burrows — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:26:00 +0000

In reply to Ellen Buikema. I love it when I get an insight on my WIP like you did. Glad this post helped you look at your story in a new and potentially helpful way.

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:50:04 +0000

Hi Lynette,

I'm currently working on a Hero's journey and have realized that a linear method may not be the best way to go. So, I'm thinking a hybrid nonlinear/ hero's journey might work.

The first scene is a death, but I may start further in the story and do some flashbacks to the death scene.

Anyway, your post is timely and has given me more to ponder.

Great, thoughtful post. Thank you!