Murphy’s Twenty-four Chapters

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Murphy's Twenty-four chapter structure Derek Murphy’s twenty-four chapters hold all my novels all together. Of all the story structures from the seven key scenes to Save the Cat, this one fits the stories I tell.

All in the Journey

A satisfying story includes all the right beats in the right order. That’s story structure. The events of the plot can unfold in any order, as long as the structure builds in the right way. When the structure breaks, reader confusion abounds and the ratings tank. All the literary greats know it or find it somehow it in their work.

From Joseph Cambell’s Hero with a Thousand Faces to Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat, multiple versions of the ideal story structure using any number of steps, stages, plot points and chapters. Derek Murphy’s twenty-four chapters, or twenty-four beats, map conveniently onto a full-length novel format. Even if my actual number of chapters varies, it hits all the right notes.

It maps directly onto every story I’ve looked at from Pride and Prejudice to the Ikea flat-pack that is the original Star Wars.

There and Back Again

Murphy’s twenty four chapters or beats look like this:

Act I

  1. Really Bad Day: Ordinary world, empathy, conflict. Show the protagonist’s problem, their goal and their want.
  2. Something Peculiar: Something unique or strange happens, but they dismiss it.
  3. Grasping at Straws: They try to regain control in their ordinary world but setbacks mount.

INCITING INCIDENT (the call to adventure)

  1. Call to Adventure: Something extraordinarily different happens that they can’t ignore. A major setback.
  2. Head in Sand: The new interrupts the old and causes conflict. It reveals the character’s dissatisfaction with the ordinary.
  3. Pull out Rug: The protagonist tries to fix their ordinary world problems and resist the lure of the supernatural world.

ACT II (part a)

FIRST PLOT POINT (point of no return)

  1. Enemies & Allies: The hero explores the new world, meeting all the main characters, in search of their new place and and role.
  2. Games & Trials: The struggle to belong brings frustration and doubt, trials and challenges.
  3. Earning Respect: The lead character proves themself capable with a small victory.

1ST PINCH POINT (first battle)

  1. Forces of Evil: The stakes rise; the antagonists reveal themselves.
  2. Problem Revealed: A surprise problem or situation demands answers.
  3. Discovery & Ultimatum: With new information, the protagonist must decide: in or out?

ACT II (part b)

MIDPOINT (victim to warrior)

  1. Mirror Stage: With self-realization comes discovery and the first change from victim to Warrior.
  2. Plan of Attack: The hero forms a plan of action to thwart the antagonist or overcome the main problem.
  3. Crucial Role: The protagonist takes on an important task.

2ND PINCH POINT (second battle)

  1. Second Battle: They execute the plan and come in direct conflict with the antagonist.
  2. Surprise Failure: The plan goes horribly wrong, owing to faulty information or assumptions, with dire consequences.
  3. Shocking Revelation: The antagonist’s full plan or true identity emerges. The stakes escalate.

ACT III

2ND PLOT POINT (dark night of the soul)

  1. Giving Up: Unable to attain their goal, our hero loses confidence. The opposition is too strong
  2. Pep Talk: With a reminder of the stakes, an ally sets them back on the path.
  3. Seizing the Sword: However slim their chance of success, the hero vows to go on.

FINAL BATTLE (triumph-knowledge)

  1. Ultimate Defeat: As the viallain triumphs and all hope is lost, the hero must confront their fatal flaw.
  2. Unexpected Victory: Perhaps it’s a secret weapon or ability, a deep resolve, a new understanding, or unlikely ally. Perhaps it’s a sacrifice
  3. Bittersweet Reflection: The hero tallies their gains and losses, acknowledges how far they’ve come.

REBIRTH (return to ordinary world)

  1. Death of Self: Personal ambition gives way to the service of others. Society acknowledges the hero’s effort.
    Optional: Hints of future challenges or new antagonists.

Derek Murphy’s 24-chapter plot outline is over on the CreativeIndie site.

 

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