There’s no shortcut to writing a great story. However, there are guidelines that can help get you started if you’ve never done it before. This chart compiles several different forms of advice for beginners into one handy reference.


Reddit user nibs1066 created this chart compiled from advice from several different writing advice books. It covers the basics like progressive rising action, as well as suggesting a few basic story types like a revenge story, an adventure, or a chase. Of course, these aren’t hard, fast rules that can’t be broken. If you’re struggling with you first story they’re a handy way to get on track.

Structuring a story for beginners - my attempt at a “cheat sheet” | Reddit