Based on John Truby's "The Anatomy of Story"

by Jami Gold -- http://jamigold.com

Story Development & Revision Worksheet

Working Project Title: Story Title here

FOCUS STORY NOTES

Story Ideas Brainstorm to discover what story ideas resonate with you.

What stories, characters, plot ideas, dialogue, themes, etc. would you love to see
Wish List
developed in books, TV, movies, etc.?

Premise List What are all story ideas you have, using only one sentence for each?

Repeating Analyze both lists for repeating elements (characters, genres, themes, etc.). What kind of
Elements stories do you love and find meaningful? Choose one of those.

Story Premise Write a one-sentence Story Premise that resonates with you.

Unique Potential Explore the “what if” possibilities — what is Premise's unique potential?

Characters: Need a lot? Hard to make believable/likable? Weak arc? Not proactive? Etc.

Story
Plot: Weak narrative drive or conflict? Events not meaningful? Jumpy cause/effect? Etc.
Challenges

Story World/Theme: Believable/relatable? Broad time span? Weak choices? Etc.

Designing How will you tell the story and overcome challenges? (Identify strategy, such as use of
Principle symbols, story-sized metaphors, expressions of theme, use of time or narrator, etc.)

Character Who is the protagonist? (Identify the most fascinating, challenging, complex character.)

Conflict Identify the central conflict. Only one line: Who is the protagonist fighting and why?

What is the main cause-and-effect path? (One verb phrase to describe the protagonist's
Basic Action
action and unify the story) What forces the character to confront their weaknesses?

All Material Copyright © Jami Gold — All Rights Reserved. Last updated on 05/25/2024
For more helpful writing information, check out http://jamigold.com/for-writers/
 Based on John Truby's "The Anatomy of Story"
by Jami Gold -- http://jamigold.com

Visit http://jamigold.com/development for more information about these elements

All Material Copyright © Jami Gold — All Rights Reserved. Last updated on 05/25/2024
For more helpful writing information, check out http://jamigold.com/for-writers/
 Based on John Truby's "The Anatomy of Story"
by Jami Gold -- http://jamigold.com

Story Development & Revision Worksheet

Working Project Title: Story Title here

FOCUS STORY NOTES

How will the protagonist change? How does the struggle to complete the Basic Action
Character Arc
affect the character?
What moral choice will the protagonist have to make? Use two "good" options (love vs.
Moral Problem
survival, justice vs. honor, etc.) to discover potential themes.
What does the character learn about themselves? What does the character learn about
Self-Revelation
how they should relate to others?

Desire What external, concrete goal does the character take action to reach?

Weaknesses What's holding the character back and potentially making them act immoral?

Need What must the character overcome to be a better person for themselves and for society?

Plot Arc How does the plot reflect and illuminate the character's struggles and growth?

Problem What initial problem or crisis grows out of the character’s weaknesses?

What opponent is competing with the hero for the same goal? (Look deeply for what
Opponent
protagonist and antagonist are fighting about—like whether good or evil is in control.)

Plan What plan does the character have to reach their goal/desire?

Immoral Act(s) What does the character do (as a result of their weakness) to reach their goal/desire?

Criticism or
What criticisms and/or justifications are shown for the immoral act(s)?
Justification
What is the final battle to determine which character wins the goal? What courageous
Final Battle
act(s) define the battle?

New Equilibrium What is the character’s new self as a result of their self-revelation?

Thematic
How do story events reflect your vision for how people should live and treat each other?
Revelation

Story World How does the story world reflect the character’s weaknesses, growth, or plot arc?

Symbols How do symbols embody the story, characters, theme, story world, or other aspects?

All Material Copyright © Jami Gold — All Rights Reserved. Last updated on 05/25/2024
For more helpful writing information, check out http://jamigold.com/for-writers/
 Based on John Truby's "The Anatomy of Story"
by Jami Gold -- http://jamigold.com

Visit http://jamigold.com/development for more information about these elements

All Material Copyright © Jami Gold — All Rights Reserved. Last updated on 05/25/2024
For more helpful writing information, check out http://jamigold.com/for-writers/