How to Write the Status Quo in Your Novel
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- Опубліковано 30 лип 2024
- This is the first video in a new series on story structure and construction. This video covers the status quo and the disruption of the status quo (sometimes called the catalyst or inciting incident).
My core/essential videos for learning novel writing are listed here: ellenbrockediting.com/novel-w...
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I love Ellen. She's so good at explaining things. She's actually educational. No click bait, rants about tropes, or "YOU CAN ONLY DO UT THIS WAY"ism. Just exactly what the writer needs to know for their particular process.
agreed :)
And she has actual experience to back up her advice.
When she posts i run to watch and stop everything.
right!
She’s the best
I really appreciate that the focus on this channel is on the writing, rather than on aesthetics and establishing a platform in order to sell books. It really shows in the content.
Your insight is unreal.
Other breakdowns I've read/seen on the Status Quo said "Show your protagonist in their everyday world/job" and went no deeper than that. Here we get a reminder to keep things interesting by starting the story on a normal-yet-unusual day. That Hunger Games example was spot-on.
Thanks Brandon!
Hi Guys,
I hope you find the start of this new series helpful! I'm hopeful it will assist with clearing up some confusion about plot structure and story construction.
I wanted to clarify that I realized after filming that I used the word "novel" when referring to a film at a couple points in the video. Sorry about that!
Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks so much for watching!
-Ellen
Hi Ellen you are awesome when it comes to story structure I have a question when it comes to the fighting scenes in the story whereas the readers want to see the execution on its conveyed if you can do you think you can do a fighting video whereas you can give an example on the proper us the execution when it comes to the fighting scenes in the story line of your novel. Thank you
Hi Ellen! I love your videos! I was wondering if you could use more visuals? For visual learners, it's so helpful to see tips written out and having signs to distinguish the segments of a longer video. This can help some of us prime our brains to absorb the information we're about to get. I've definitely found that videos with visuals and lists are easier to understand, focus on, interpret, and remember.
Love your videos. You are a natural at education.
Hello! I have super-enjoyed your videos! So many videos address polishing one's novel, when what I'm working on right now are the bones, so I really appreciate all of your videos about developmental editing! I do have one request--is it possible to rename this video so that it says (1st quarter, part one) after the title you have, so that it's easier for viewers to find? I found your other 4 videos first (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter, respectively) and I was looking for this one but initially couldn't find it and went into the 2nd half of 1st quarter somewhat confused. Thanks!
Hi Ellen. Thank you for this great video. 😊 In my current project I am trying to pull of another variation of the status quo/disruption element.
I start with three separate scenes of disruptions in the normal lives of the three main characters/entities in the story and then go into their "new" status quo after those disruptions occurred to them and how they try to deal with or in one case repair their normality before they are all pulled into the "big story".
I'm so glad these long and complex videos are back! Really only a few youtubers go in that deep on craft. I love doing my dishes and cooking while watching them
Glad you like them!
Same! These days I pretty much only watch 30+ minute video essays, especially while in the kitchen
@@EllenBrock Hey Ellen you the Empress of the novelist development structure if I say so myself and I do say that respectfully. I don't know if you got the chance to read my post but I wanted to asked if and when you do another video novel story telling if you can do a video segment on the fighting scenes which is pertaining to the execution and examples how its demonstrated whereas the readers can see for themselves without spoon feeding them the answer on how its properly used thank you.
Yes, agree. I really like author who really deep down about the craft work of writing like this.
Can’t believe I never realized that the status quo is usually not an actually mundane part of a character’s life. One of those things that are so obvious once you hear them. Thank you :)
00:01 Intro
02:05 Definitions
Catalyst, inciting incident, call to action
04:00 Status quo doesn't mean mundane
06:00 Disruption of the status quo makes the day worse
07:20 Disruption is unexpected but isn't necessarily immediately bad
08:05 Boring/mundane status quo
09:40 Story starts with characters already transitioning from status quo
15:05 Status quo length
1. Uniqueness of status quo
2. How well you can create compelling scenes
Don't linger too long
Character can still interact with status quo after disruption
22:45 What to include in status quo
Status quo conflict explains why character gets involved in main storyline
25:40 Keep the character active
27:50 When not to open with status quo
Prologue
Flashback
Flash forward
Thank you!! ♡
Wow, this is sooo helpful, thank you so much for this!
Thank you for this
I never feel as motivated to write as when I watch one of your videos.
The hardest things for me to write are the "Status Quo" and, pretty much, the first page.
I almost always skip it and only go back if I think the project is worth finishing.
I find it very easy to write Prologues, but I try not to write them because usually I use them as a shortcut instead of using it to make the story better.
This video was very helpful. Thank you so much!
Ellen PLEASE don't stop making these in depth videos. They are BEYOND immensley helpful. Im an absolute sponge on ur channel. Ive actually been binging. Lol
Methodological plotter next! I can't wait to see it.
This video was really helpful. I was worried about the length of the 'status quo' in my novel, but based on your criteria I think it earns its length. I'm setting up a sci-fi world, and there's plenty of interesting conflict already happening (a key part of my characters' everyday life is that they get into lots of escapades). I love that you explain how different strategies can produce different effects and work for different kinds of novel, rather than preaching a 'one size fits all' structure.
Ellen keeps my writing aspirations alive. Can't even begin to describe how many holes these videos pulled me out of
My favourite prologue is the one at the beginning of Game of Thrones. We get a bunch of political knights and castles-style fantasy, but the build up to the Others (white walkers) is slow. So the prologue has three members of the Night's Watch try and find wildlings and come across the Others. And then one of the three Night's Watch ends up deserting which is who Ned Stark beheads in the first chapter. And that leads to them finding the Dire Wolf pups.
That's how I used my prologue in my debut novel, to hint at the tragedy that comes later in the story, which was Andre's car accident and severe brain injury, and to set up the theme and focal point of Eva striving to keep her wedding vows during adversity.
I'm guilty of a long set-up, so hearing the catalyst can occur before the status quo is established/disrupted made me happy, and have that "Aha!" moment. Thank you! :)
That was very validating. I've been second-guessing my choice to use a prologue because "prologues bad" is common wisdom, but the story needed kind of a slow start as the rather cynical protagonist gradually came around to accepting that yes, in fact, no "logical explanation."
The number of lightbulb moments I had while watching this is astounding! This has been really helpful for me (as a methodological pantser) to understand how story structure works. This is great!
Another incredibly informative video! Oftentimes in discussions of writing craft, the status quo gets glossed over in favor of talking about the inciting incident, but I always struggled to establish the world and the protagonist's everyday life in an exciting way. It makes sense to have the status quo be more stressful than is usual, while also displaying the character's routine. Really appreciated the section about how different genres can utilize the status quo, and how different stories need different 'amounts' of status quo established. Thanks so much!
I never feel quite as clarified about story structure as when I go to one of your vids. Thank you, Ellen, so much for this.
When I’m plotting the next season of my Webtoon, I just turn on Ellen Brock videos and they get the creative juices flowing every time. I can’t remember how many times I’ve recommended the story structure series to people! Rocked my writing world. So glad to see this popping up on my feed again!!
Hers is the voice I want constantly in the back of my head while I write!
Whenever I'm plotting or revising for structure I come back to your videos. They are so incredibly helpful each time and probably the only reason why I managed to work through some of my earlier "draft monsters" and made them into actual novels. Especially your videos on the Status Quo and the Climax, my personal antagonists ^^
I am working on a novel and inmy philosophy of story construction I amended the 2 act structure in my head to mean: Act 1: Establish the status quo, Act 2 deconstruct the status quo, Act 3: the main character reconstructs a new status quo from the ashes of the old. In this model, in Act 1 you want to establish the status quo and then show a challenge to that status quo and how the status quo responds and maintains ordder. This 2 beat structure is fractal in nature, i..e: within each Act you also recreate the status quo of the situation, deconstruct it, and the recnstruct it so you can move to the next Act.
Nice addition to the background ;)
Thanks! 😁
Hey Ellen! I love your content and have been subscribed for awhile. I'm an aspiring writer but actually mostly an aspiring editor! I'd love it if you made a video for advice on how to become a novel editor!
I'm really really looking forward to learn more about the intuitive Pantser.
So this is a vote for Intuitive Pantser to be next! 😁
I am really excited for this series! Can't wait ❤
Thank you for using examples from such a wide range of movies, spanning decades. I have only seen a few of those you mentioned but I'm aware of the others, mostly. Super helpful. Appreciated! Your content is excellent. 💫
I keep coming back to your videos because you explain things in such a grounded, implementable way... more than any other creator who does videos on these topics! You rock. Thank you!
You are my favorite you tuber. So clear!!
Awww, thank you!
@@EllenBrock 😊
This is pure gold. The love and passion you put in your videos actually enhances their educational value. Amazing job
One of the best writer advice channels out here. LOVE your content, Ellen
I’m so looking forward to this series. Your explanations are very thorough and clear- and the examples from movies really help.
I really needed to see this video as it's something I struggle with. Thank you!
Actually helpful and informative. Glad you're back!
Amazing work. You are a natural teacher! You’re right that the same terms for different plot points is really confusing. I have a cheat sheet that I use as I learn about plot with the main terms experts use for each point, so I can keep them straight. There’s a business in inventing new terms and points... when really we are all looking at the same thing, just through different eyes. I’m not jaded in general as I’m hugely appreciative of these analytical minds that can digest story and elucidate the bones. This video of yours was one of the best I’ve seen!!!
I appreciate these long videos. It helps to listen to you for a while - you already pack in a lot of detail, and lengthier videos are very welcome.
Another incredibly informative video! So often the 'status quo' is glossed over in discussions on writing craft in order to talk about the inciting incident, but I often struggled to establish a baseline of what the world and characters are while also keeping things exciting. It makes a lot of sense to have the 'status quo' be more stressful/important than the character's everyday life, while also displaying their usual routine. Really appreciated the explanations of how different genres can utilize the status quo, and how different stories need different 'amounts' of status quo to work. Thanks so much, Ellen!
The way you break things down.... I needed that. Thanks for an insightful video
I love all of your videos. They have helped me through writing my novel more than anything else. Thank you!
This video is SO helpful! I love all the film examples you gave. Thank you!
Loving all these videos, thank you!
Really really helpful guidance and very well delivered. Look forward to your future videos.
Hey Ellen, thank you so much. The video‘s length is perfect to explain a rather complex concept. Your examples are really helpful and support totally what you want to explain. I simply love your new videos where you dive deeper into a specific topic. You have the rare gift of being able to explain things without just repeating what you said before but using always new phrases/examples. Especially the beginning of a novel can be quite hard and now you gave me something to think about - what I want to convey and what my plot needs.
Super helpful, as always.
I think I am a methodological plotter, so I'm impatient for that video, but I'm interested in all the videos you upload, in any order you see fit.
As per usual, very helpful stuff, explained clearly, already finding it useful, and a pleasure to watch. Hoping I can join your patrons as soon as I get the chance (still out of money)
Ellen always offers useful down-ro-earth advice and this is no exception. Thank you!
You magically gave a solution the very specific problem I was having about how long to linger in the 'before' section for my character. So helpful! Ahhh!!
Thank you so much for your technical videos Ellen, they're so helpful and so valuable!
This is SUPER helpful. Thank you.
These videos are so helpful! Watching this while plotting and it's a proper creativity boost 💛
Thank you, Ellen! This was incredibly helpful and I’m now able to pinpoint a better starting point for my MG WIP!
Despite not having seen a number of "sample movies' I was able to follow perfectly thanks to your descriptions! You are are a good teacher!
Your videos are superb for clarifying some of the sticking points I have gone through since starting my novel.
I know there isn’t a set structure and it is critical to be yourself in whatever style you decide but this means avoiding glaring mistakes.
Your tutorials do this for me. Many thanks
So helpful as always! This is the part I always struggle with and then I get disheartened about the whole project. There is a lot of help out there for inciting incident, later plot points but not so much for the status quo. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I’m enjoying these videos. I’m many years into trying to write my first novel. The more I learn the more I come to understand how important it seems to be to map out the story in advance of the actual writing. Thanks again.
This is a great video! Things I found helpful:
- you not only listed the different types and lengths of status quo but also WHY a writer might choose one over another
- you focused on the purposes and functions of the status quo rather than just the structural elements
- lots of examples! I also appreciated how you gave enough context to the examples so that they were helpful even if I hadn't seen that film
Can't wait for more videos!
This series is just what I needed! Thanks!
Back for round two ✌🏻 I hope you realize how invaluable this series is for all of us! Because of you I was able to work through each spot I got stuck on and I finally finished a full manuscript last year 🎉😊
I really find these videos so educational. I feel like im attending some college course. So elaborate and with tons of useful information.
Great to see more of your videos. :)
I watched your plot videos totally out of order (debate, 3rd qtr, 2nd qtr, status quo, climax, 2nd plot point, opening hooks, pinch points...) after watching your intuitive pantser video which led me to your other writer type videos. Long story short, you are an amazing teacher and everything you are putting out is SOOOOO helpful. Thank you Ellen!!
Just started reading HOLES by Louis Sachar with my son. It starts with Stanley getting off the bus, just like you mentioned. Harry Potter is a good example of a middle-grade book that doesn't follow this format. Harry isn't a regular kid, and the intro establishes this well by delaying his entry to Hogwarts.
I was thinking about Harry Potter too. There's a longer status quo to establish that he's not a normal kid, and to explain why he is up for taking the drastic step of entering Hogwarts (and basically this whole new world that he knows nothing about).
Thanks. This was very helpful for me when doing the first edit. I was unsure if I was doing the beginning right or wrong, and this convinced me I had at least roughly the right idea.
Namely, whatever is fine as long as it's interesting and helps the rest of the story.
But at the same time, this video gave me some new ideas how to possibly re-shape the chronology in my story. So, thak you again.
Hey :-) this was such a good video I love how they always put stuff into perspective for me. One of my major struggles as a writewr is to know when is the best momnent for the character to reflect on what has already happened. Like sitting in the kitchen with the best friend and talking abour what the crush has said to her etc. Writting reflection scenes in general is tought for me.
This was so straight forward. Not confusing at all.
Really excited for this series!
What i am struggeling right now, is that i am in constant fear (while plotting) of plotholes, that sneak into my story. I have a great first Act put somehow i dont believe myself to execute the story from that point, because there are things which feel "constructed" and not natural. :(
I’m actually so excited for this serious. Thank you! ‘
I've been stuck for MONTHS trying to figure out the status quo of two projects and your video just helped me gain so much clarity about everything, I literally can't thank you enough!
Also, totally unrelated, but I really like your glasses, I think they make you look very stylish, lol.
That's great to hear! And thank you!
Very informative! The status quo usually varies by genre, so for instance I have a novel I'm working on that doesn't "fit" entirely 100% into one category, so the status quo takes turn clashing with the various plot lines that intersect at certain plot points (for reference, there's two inciting incidents for each main character, as it's dual protagonists). The important thing to keep in note is something like a horror story usually has the element of suspense heighten at the "point of contact" with the supernatural force, whereas something like the superhero genre(if oversaturated), takes place at the point which the power forces the hero to make their choice to become one or not.
In Karen Blixen's story, "Babette's Feast," the status quo is long, charmingly boring. it is a master set up of the very slow and unchanging: I often warn my friends to hide their remote control for the first half of this film. The second half explains (and satisfies) everything. Hallie The film garnered ackowlegement among "best foreign" in the 1987 Academy Awards.
Thank you so much for all of your videos! It has helped me immensely with writing my first fiction novel 🙏🥰
I'm watching alot of writers' help and this felt the furthest from opinion so far. Very helpful!
Good video, good information, perfect examples, excellent explanation 👍👍👍
It's funny... my first draft had a lore dump... then the inciting incident.
I rewrote it.
Now I have a status quo with slowly creeping doom leading up to the inciting incident.
The rewrite is so much better.
These was very helpful, thank you.
A 35min video! Alright, allow me to Like and thank you for the video first. I shall come back with my snacks and hot cocoa :D
Hope you enjoy!
Good to know that I've done it right. My novel starts with my character shopping for a new suit with his overbearing mother on the day before starting a new job that he knows he's not qualified for (he lied on his resume). It's super uncomfortable and stressful for him in different ways.
Then he enters his new stressful world,
but the real inciting incident for the story is three chapters later. :)
Wow... This video came at the right moment. I've finished the 1st act of my 1st draft a few days ago and read through it again yesterday. And something about the beginning just felt off. Didn't really know what and it drove me crazy. Now, after watching this video I actually realize that my way of writing the status quo is really just too mundane and boring as hell. I can achieve the very same thing if I skip the first few scenes I've written entirely and get to the fun stuff much, much sooner. Thank you so much for making this video!
A new Ellen Brock video?! 🤩🤩🤩
Cool style change Ellen! 👍
I'm really glad you brought up stories that kinda skip the status quo. I am writing a memoir, and I feel my story falls into this category. I've worried so much that I was skipping the inciting incident. But anyway I've tried to work it, starting further back felt way too front heavy, or like there is too much exposition and back story that just wasn't adding much to the story. I feel better about my choice in where to start now. Thanks!
Hey ellen, new subscriber here! Your tips are amazing, and the way you are able to describe concepts is incredible :)
Thank you! I'm so glad to help.
Wow this was exactly what I needed, thanks so much!
This was SUPER helpful, thank you so much! God bless!!
Am very eager for your methodological plotter video. Thanks for your great and helpful content.
Thank you for this video. I''d like to see the Intuitive Pantser video next. Although I work fine as a Methodological Pantser, I want to see if I can reach a flow state while trying the Intuitive Pantser approach. 💙
Thanks, Ellen!
Hello! Eileen, I am waiting for your video.
Ps I have a short story collection due to be published this summer in Egypt.
this was super useful, but i got distracted by the GHOSTS book in the back
Okay I took notes throughout the video because it helps me to process and remember the info. These notes can't substitute watching the video of course since it goes in depth and Ellen explains everything so well. But I thought it might be useful for someone to read a summarised version after watching the video
I love how you don't edit out small mistakes, like "her characters" when you meant "her family" when talking about Juno. I don't know why, maybe it makes the video more relatable (?). You're amazing, that's tjr point 🤩
Awww, thank you! And thanks for watching!
So helpful. Thank you!!!
I subscribed to Ellen to get ideas about conversational storytelling and saw this lady with a bun and glasses and thought she was a different person! 😯
Great stuff.
My zombie novel Hug will be coming out in February 2024!!
This is so helpful!
Loved this video and explanation of different ways to disrupt the status quo. I do have a question (which you might be answering in your next one 😬): You mentioned that many guides refer to the call to adventure, inciting incident, and catalyst as interchangeable. I prefer to view them as entirely separate beats.
For example, in Harry Potter, one might view the snake incident at the zoo as the inciting incident because it introduces the audience to the first hint of status quo disruption; the letters flying thru the chimney as the (literal) invitation or call to adventure; and Hagrid's appearance on the island and subsequent explanation of Harry's background (along with affirmation that magic is real) as the catalyst.
When studying story structure and in your own writing, do you have a preference? And what terms do you use? I'm fascinated with plot and the various ways authors script their beats.
Thanks again for all your excellent information!
Thank you for these videos! I don't have a lot to comment; I'm just happily soaking up your wisdom. :)
Instead of status quo, I believe a better term could be "expected norm." Basically, establishing what they expect their current situation to be, regardless of whether it is their "old normal" or "new normal." Looking at it in this light would encompass both the "start at the change" and "start before the change" openers quite well. Overall, the video makes a lot of good points, and I am not disagreeing with any of them, only looking for a term outside the norm that better captures what this critical part of storytelling entails. We need to know what to expect in order for the unexpected to feel out of place. If we don't know goblins walking down Manhattan is abnormal in this world, we have no reason to invest in how odd it is and how impactful such a sight would be.
Brilliant as usual. 👌
Writing this before watching the video:
I only wrote two stories, but in both of them I skipped the status quo completely unintentionally.
In one of them, you meet the MC and his family as they travel away from their home, and the inciting incedent is shown in a flashback in chapter 2.
In the othee story, the MC meets the stranger from out of town in the first chapter (while he is fishing), and immediately has to go with her, but not before bringing back the valuable fishing nets to his family. He can’t meet them, but you see the village he grew up in as they pass by it before going on their journey.
All in all, I’ve been happy with how it turned out so far. But now let’s see what I can learn from this video :)