The Story Diamond*

Sta
l)
1% Once Upon a Time (Arndt)

ica

ke
oph

sR
Final Image 15
[PROLOGUE] DENOUEMENT

eso
los
1 First Image (Snyder) Return with the Elixir 12

Phi

lve
Act 3 Climax

d
t. -

e
nes efor
MM xt. - In
TP
2 Theme Stated Hand-to-hand

B
4

ACT
Life
Death Fight

s
(E
hS T 1

1
Victor or Defeat

are

SE pares mmi
1 Ordinary World (Vogler) Finale 14

SEQ es
1-

Pur
AC

n
Decisive Act

Q8
Pre se C
Aw
ak

3B
rph
t

cha
3 Set-Up

-M
O
blis Moment of Despair

M8
ial

t
luti Den
a

o
10% And then one day Kamikaze Commitment

o
Est

Die
on
Alternative positions of 11
e

4 Catalyst Inciting Incident R

anc

tme
Acc

Kill
Resurrection sub-beat

Pol
s

nt
PP

ept

er
2 Call to Adventure
Nui

PP D

a nc
A Final Incident
R

e
ion

3 Refusal of the Call

Def ll

e r
a
init

Ang
Nee cts C
B

AC
Antagonist Aria
Rej 2
T1

SE Dark ial - tr tyr

M

5 Debate
e
ds
-M

Q7
MORAL PREMISE

T3
Sta 7
2

STATEMENT (MPS):
AC

- M ight s out
Mentor Aria
SEQ

kes
_________________ 


M
Road Back 10

A
Tr
Dep demp
leads to

N
4 Meeting Mentor

in C
__________________ Re Dark Night of the Soul 12
res

risi
25% So the quest begins but…

of S
Ma
sio on

s
e
__________________
 Break into 3 13
r
5 Accepts Journey

oul
leads to
n
ti

Act 1 Climax TP __________________ TP 75% No Going Back

1 3
Protagonist Initiates
5 Crossing Threshold B TP Act 2 Climax
Bar erer more of Mo
Gu ning

Turning Point
Wa iliari ive Sid M 3

6 Break into 2
Fam egat

ilt
nd
gai

Mirror Resolution
Use

Antagonist (force) Near Death • Faux Ending

Com

7 B Story Begins PP Initiates Pinch Point

N

All Is Lost 11
plic

y
ty

and

ard
e op 6
SE s that

es - MM
atio

Los
Q

Judas Moment
3-
n

in j
add

ing

...s SEQ 6
e
M

6 Tests, Allies & Enemies

itio al Pre

tak
put

nal
r
AC

Bad Guys Close In 10

...

info ise

ing
m

PP
T2

C
inn

Pre atives

ly
and on

Bul

8 Fun and Games

W

PP Confrontation
i

e
A

Use Consi arrior rgaini rificat

mis
n

B
lter
Tea

l...
ng

SEQ ide of row a

B
Pu

Check
ica
s
e

tern - MM ral

T2
oph

Reward/Seizing the Sword 9

Mo
nar

7 Approach to Inmost Cave

los
5
Ba

AC
osi eratio

phi
SE

Characters transform
Q4

KEY
al &
S

gradually not suddenly.

5
W
d
ve
-M

# Christopher Vogler/Campbell
t
M4

l, in
sP

# Blake Synder
rna
xte

Bernard Brock Episodic TV TP * This Writing Aid graphic (as complex as it

...e

Kübler-Ross Stages of Grief 2 looks) simply illustrates of how various

story structure motifs describe the same
Schechter’s Archetypes natural law of story structure.
Alison Fisher Purchase Pyramid Moment of Grace For fuller explanation see:
"Story Diamond Notes" at
Williams/Hauge/Traditional 50% Suddenly without warning www.stanwilliams.com/MORALPREMISE/
Gulino Sequences / Mini Movies storyaids.php
Michael Arndt / Insane Endings 8 The Ordeal 9 Midpoint

Copyright applies only to this particular graphic fusion of the various story structure motifs displayed and not to the content each represents, the rights of which
may be held by the originators. Copyright © 2019 Stanley D. Williams








 The Story Diamond*

Hauge-Williams 13 Beats
13. DENOUEMENT

ore
12. Act 3 Climax

Bef
TP
4

A
ife
1. L
T1

ACT res to Die

11.
AC

Pre
pa

3B
e

2. Inciting Incident
anc

10. Final Incident

Kill
PP
s

er
Nui

PP D
A
l
Cal
cts

AC Night of So
B
eje
T1
3. R

MORAL PREMISE

9. D

T3
STATEMENT (MPS):

ark
_________________ 

AC

A ul
leads to
__________________
but…
__________________

leads to
TP __________________ TP
4. Act 1 Climax
1 3
Protagonist Initiates 8. Act 2 Climax
TP Turning Point
5. U

Antagonist (force)
ses

PP Initiates Pinch Point

Neg
a
tive
AC
Sid
e
T2

s
of M

res
rog
ora
A

dp
l Pr

goo
em
ise

e-
AC oral Premis
- lit
tle
rog p

B
of M
res

T2
s

e
Sid

Characters transform
tive

gradually not suddenly.

i
Pos
ses
7. U

TP
2

6. Moment of Grace

 The Story Diamond*

Chris Vogler's Hero's Journey in 12 Steps

13. DENOUEMENT
Return with the Elixir 12

ore
12. Act 3 Climax

Bef
TP
4

A
ife
1. L
T1

ACT res to Die

11.
1 Ordinary World (Vogler)

AC

Pre
pa

3B
e

2. Inciting Incident Resurrection 11

anc

10. Final Incident

Kill
PP
s

er
2 Call to Adventure
Nui

PP D
A
l
Cal

3 Refusal of the Call

cts

AC Night of So
B
eje
T1
3. R

MORAL PREMISE

9. D

T3
STATEMENT (MPS):

ark
_________________ 

AC

Road Back 10

A ul
4 Meeting Mentor leads to
__________________
but…
__________________

5 Accepts Journey leads to
TP __________________ TP
4. Act 1 Climax
1 3
Protagonist Initiates
5 Crossing Threshold TP Turning Point
8. Act 2 Climax
5. U

Antagonist (force)
ses

PP Initiates Pinch Point

Neg
a
tive
AC
Sid
e
T2

6 Tests, Allies & Enemies

of M

res
rog
ora
A

dp
l Pr

goo
em
ise

e-
AC oral Premis
- lit
tle
rog p

B
of M
res

Reward/Seizing the Sword 9

T2

7 Approach to Inmost Cave

s

e
Sid

Characters transform
tive

gradually not suddenly.

i
Pos
ses
7. U

TP
2

6. Moment of Grace

8 The Ordeal

Copyright applies only to this particular graphic fusion of the various story structure motifs displayed and not to the content each represents, the rights of which
may be held by the originators. Copyright © 2019 Stanley D. Williams

 The Story Diamond*

Blake Snyder's 15 Beats
Final Image 15
13. DENOUEMENT
1 First Image (Snyder)

ore
12. Act 3 Climax

Bef
TP
2 Theme Stated 4

A
ife
1. L
T1

ACT res to Die

11.
Finale 14

AC

Pre
3 Set-Up

pa

3B
4 Catalyst
e

2. Inciting Incident
anc

10. Final Incident

Kill
PP
s

er
Nui

PP D
A
l
Cal
cts

AC Night of So
B
eje

5 Debate
T1
3. R

MORAL PREMISE

9. D

T3
STATEMENT (MPS):

ark
_________________ 

AC

A ul
leads to
__________________ Dark Night of the Soul 12
but…
__________________
 Break into 3 13
leads to
TP __________________ TP
4. Act 1 Climax
1 3
Protagonist Initiates 8. Act 2 Climax
TP Turning Point
6 Break into 2
5. U

Antagonist (force)
ses

7 B Story Begins PP Initiates Pinch Point

Neg

All Is Lost 11
a
tive
AC
Sid
e
T2

s
of M

res
rog
ora
A

Bad Guys Close In 10

dp
l Pr

goo
em
ise

e-

8 Fun and Games

AC oral Premis
- lit
tle
rog p

B
of M
res

T2
s

e
Sid

Characters transform
tive

gradually not suddenly.

i
Pos
ses
7. U

TP
2

6. Moment of Grace

9 Midpoint

 The Story Diamond*

Gulino Sequences / Mini Movies

Act 3 Climax

o re
Bef
TP
4

Life
M1
-M

SE pares
Q8
Pre
1
SEQ

- M to Die
M8
e

Inciting Incident
anc

Kill
s

PP

er
Nui

PP D
A Final Incident
M2

SE Dark
The secret to making the Mini Movie
-M

Q7
(MM) method work is that EACH MM
2

should have in its own story

- M Night
SEQ

diamond. Not every MM needs all the

M7
beats, but the form and essence of
the Story Diamond, or the 13/20 roller

of
coaster beats, should be evident in

Sou
each MM... with this one exception:

l
TP the ending of MM 1-7 all end is TP
Act 1 Climax
1 disasters, and only in MM 8 does the 3
ending end redemptive, provided you Act 2 Climax
have a redemptive story. The 7
Use

disasters serve to drive the plot

s

forward into the next MM and keep

Neg

the audience on the edge of the

a

M6
tive
SE

seats with intrigue and suspense.

Q3

-M

(See also the Beat Plate on the Moral

Sid

6
-M

Premise Writing Aids page.

eo

SEQ
M3
fM
ora
l Pr
em

PP
ise

C
ly
Bul

Confrontation
e

PP
mis

B
Tea

Pre

Check
e s

ral
Mo
5
SEQ de of
MM
SE

Characters transform
Si
5-
Q4

gradually not suddenly.

tive
-M

i
Pos
M4

s
Use

TP
2

Moment of Grace

Copyright applies only to this particular graphic fusion of the various story structure motifs displayed and not to the content each represents, the rights of which
may be held by the originators. Copyright © 2019 Stanley D. Williams

 TheMichael
Story Diamond*
Arndt / Insane Endings

Sta
1% Once Upon a Time

ke
sR
DENOUEMENT

eso
lve
Act 3 Climax

d
o re
Bef
TP

A
4

ACT
Life
T1
AC
Decisive Act

Pre

3B
pa
Moment of Despair

res
10% And then one day

to D
Kamikaze Commitment

ie
e

Inciting Incident
anc

Kill
s

PP

er
Nui

PP D
A Final Incident
ion
Def ll
a
B

init
Nee ects C

AC
Antagonist Aria
T1

ds
Rej

T3
Sta
AC

Mentor Aria

Dar rial - t

kes

A
kN
T

in C
igh ies ou

risi
25% So the quest begins

t of
r

s
Sou
l
t
Act 1 Climax TP TP 75% No Going Back
1 3
Act 2 Climax
Fam Neeggaativ
Use
Usess N
Com

ilia tivee SSid

rity
plic

dy
par
mo de ooff M
atio

Judas Moment
re a Moora

jeo
i
ns

e
ddi rall Pr

s in
tha

tion Preem

e
t pu

tak
al i miisse

...s
t...

nfo e
AC

PP
C
ly
Bul
T2

Confrontation
is e

PP
B
Tea

B
em

T2
l...
l Pr
A
s

Check
e

ica
ora

oph

AC
of M

los
phi
e

Characters transform
Sid

al &

gradually not suddenly.

tive

tern
i
Pos

l, in
s
Use

rna
xte

TP
...e

Moment of Grace

50% Suddenly without warning

Copyright applies only to this particular graphic fusion of the various story structure motifs displayed and not to the content each represents, the rights of which
may be held by the originators. Copyright © 2019 Stanley D. Williams

 The Story Diamond*

Alison Fisher Purchase Pyramid

13. DENOUEMENT

re
12. Act 3 Climax

nes Befo
TP

A
4

e
Aw 1. Lif
s
T1

ACT
11. hase
are

Pur
AC

Pre
c
par

3B
es
to D itmen
Co
mm
ie
e

2. Inciting Incident
anc

10. Final Incident

Kill
PP
s

er
t
Nui

PP D
A
ion
Def all
C
init
Nee jects

AC
B
e
ds
T1
3. R

9. D Tria

T3
ark
AC

A
Nig tries o
ht o
l-

f So t
ul
u
4. Act 1 Climax TP TP
1 3
8. Act 2 Climax
5. U
Fam s Neg
se
ilia ative
rity
mo ide o
AC

re a f M
S
ddi oral
T2

ss
tion Pr

gre
al i emis

pro
A

nfo

od
- go
l Pr ves
is e
e-

ora rnati
em
ttleli

of M alte
p
rog

B
e S arro
res

T2
s

itiv n n
ide
Pos ratio

Characters transform
AC

gradually not suddenly.

ses ide
7. U Cons

TP
2

6. Moment of Grace

Copyright applies only to this particular graphic fusion of the various story structure motifs displayed and not to the content each represents, the rights of which
may be held by the originators. Copyright © 2019 Stanley D. Williams

 The Story Diamond*

Schechter’s Archetypes

13. DENOUEMENT

ore
12. Act 3 Climax

Bef
TP
4

A
ife
1. L
T1

ACT res to Die

11.
han
AC

Pre
Orp

pa

3B
e

2. Inciting Incident
anc

10. Final Incident

Kill
PP
s

er
Nui

PP D
A
l
Cal
cts

AC
B
eje
T1
3. R

MORAL PREMISE

9. D

T 3 t of Soul
STATEMENT (MPS):

ark
_________________ 

AC

A
Nig
leads to

h
__________________
but…

Ma
__________________

rtyr
leads to
TP __________________ TP
4. Act 1 Climax
1 3
Protagonist Initiates 8. Act 2 Climax
TP Turning Point
Wa
5. U

nd
ere

Antagonist (force)
ses

PP Initiates Pinch Point

r
Neg
a
tive
AC
Sid
e
T2

s
of M

res
rog
ora
A

dp
l Pr

goo
em
ise

e-
AC oral Premis
- lit
tle
rog p

B
of M
res

T2
s

e
Sid
r
rrio

Characters transform
tive
Wa

gradually not suddenly.

i
Pos
ses
7. U

TP
2

6. Moment of Grace

 The Story Diamond*

Kübler-Ross Stages of Grief
13. DENOUEMENT

ore
12. Act 3 Climax

Bef
TP
4

A
ife
1. L
T1

ACT to Die
11.
AC

Pre
pa

3B
res
e

2. Inciting Incident
anc

10. Final Incident

Acc

Kill
PP
s

er
Nui

PP

pta
D
A

nc e
l
Cal

r
e
Ang
cts

AC Night of So
B
eje
T1
3. R

MORAL PREMISE

9. D

T3
STATEMENT (MPS):

ark
_________________ 

AC

A ul
Dep
leads to
__________________
but…
res
__________________
 s
ion
leads to
TP __________________ TP
4. Act 1 Climax
1 3
Protagonist Initiates 8. Act 2 Climax
TP
Bar

Turning Point
5. U

g
ain

Antagonist (force)
ses

PP
ing

Initiates Pinch Point

Neg

and
a
tive
AC

Los
Sid

ing
e
T2

s
of M

res
rog
ora
A

dp
l Pr

goo
g
em

nin
ise

e-
Win

AC oral Premis
- lit

and
tle
p

ing
rog

B
ain

of M
res

T2
g
s

Bar

e
Sid

Characters transform
tive

gradually not suddenly.

i
Pos
ses
7. U

TP
2

6. Moment of Grace

Copyright applies only to this particular graphic fusion of the various story structure motifs displayed and not to the content each represents, the rights of which
may be held by the originators. Copyright © 2019 Stanley D. Williams

 The Story Diamond*

Bernard Brock Episodic Television

13. DENOUEMENT

ore
12. Act 3 Climax

Bef
TP
4

A
ife
1. L
T1

ACT res to Die

11.
AC

Pre
pa

3B
tion
e

2. Inciting Incident
anc

10. Final Incident

Kill
lu
PP
s

Pol

er
Nui

PP D
A
l
Cal
cts

AC Night of So
B
eje
T1
3. R

MORAL PREMISE

9. D

T3
STATEMENT (MPS):

ark
_________________ 

AC

A ul
leads to
__________________ Red
but… e
__________________

mp
leads to
tion

TP __________________ TP
4. Act 1 Climax
1 3
Protagonist Initiates 8. Act 2 Climax
TP Turning Point
Gu
5. U

ilt

Antagonist (force)
ses

PP Initiates Pinch Point

Neg
a
tive
AC
Sid
e
T2

s
of M

res
rog
ora
A

dp
l Pr

goo
em
ise

e-
AC oral Premis
n
- lit

atio
tle

ific
rog p

Pur

B
of M
res

T2
s

e
Sid

Characters transform
tive

gradually not suddenly.

i
Pos
ses
7. U

TP
2

6. Moment of Grace

Copyright applies only to this particular graphic fusion of the various story structure motifs displayed and not to the content each represents, the rights of which
may be held by the originators. Copyright © 2019 Stanley D. Williams