10 Types of Stories

Introduction

This tutorial explores the ten types of stories outlined in Blake Snyder's "Save the Cat." Understanding these story types can enhance your storytelling skills, helping you craft engaging narratives whether in writing or other forms of media. Each type has unique characteristics and elements that can guide you in structuring your story effectively.

Step 1: Monster in the House

• Concept: This story revolves around a monster threatening a confined setting, typically a house.
• Key Ingredients:
  • Setting: Isolated environment (e.g., a house, cabin).
  • Monster: A tangible threat, often representing deeper fears.
  • Characters: Usually flawed individuals who must confront the monster.
• Practical Tip: Create tension by emphasizing the conflict between the characters and the monster, exploring their backstories and fears.

Step 2: Golden Fleece

• Concept: A quest narrative where characters embark on a journey to obtain a significant object or achieve a goal.
• Key Ingredients:
  • Quest: A clear objective that drives the story.
  • Team: A group of characters, each contributing unique skills.
  • Obstacles: Challenges that test the characters and their relationships.
• Practical Tip: Develop subplots that enhance the main quest, showing character growth and teamwork.

Step 3: Out of the Bottle

• Concept: This type involves a wish or magical event that leads to unexpected consequences.
• Key Ingredients:
  • Wish: A clear desire that initiates the story.
  • Transformation: The wish creates changes that complicate the character's life.
  • Resolution: Characters learn important lessons from their experiences.
• Practical Tip: Ensure the consequences of the wish are both imaginative and relatable, allowing for character development.

Step 4: Buddy Love

• Concept: A story focused on the dynamics of friendship or romantic relationships.
• Key Ingredients:
  • Duo: Central characters who complement each other.
  • Conflict: Challenges that test their bond.
  • Resolution: A reaffirmation of their relationship’s importance.
• Practical Tip: Highlight the characters' differences and similarities to create engaging interactions and conflict.

Step 5: Whydunit

• Concept: A mystery story centered on the motives behind events rather than the events themselves.
• Key Ingredients:
  • Mystery: A central question or crime that needs solving.
  • Investigator: A character who seeks to uncover the truth.
  • Revelation: The climax reveals the motives and connections.
• Practical Tip: Build suspense by gradually revealing clues and red herrings, keeping readers guessing.

Step 6: Dude with a Problem

• Concept: A protagonist faces a significant challenge that disrupts their normal life.
• Key Ingredients:
  • Problem: A clear, often external conflict.
  • Character Arc: The protagonist evolves as they confront the issue.
  • Resolution: The problem is resolved, leading to growth.
• Practical Tip: Focus on the emotional journey of the protagonist to enhance empathy and engagement.

Step 7: Institutionalized

• Concept: This story type involves characters navigating a system or institution.
• Key Ingredients:
  • Setting: A structured environment (e.g., school, military, corporate).
  • Rules: Established norms that characters must navigate.
  • Rebellion or Adaptation: Characters either conform or challenge the system.
• Practical Tip: Showcase the impact of the institution on individual characters, highlighting personal stakes.

Step 8: Fool Triumphant

• Concept: A comedic story where an underdog or fool triumphs against odds.
• Key Ingredients:
  • Underdog: A character underestimated by others.
  • Humor: Comedic situations that highlight the character's flaws.
  • Victory: Overcoming challenges leads to success.
• Practical Tip: Use humor to convey deeper messages about societal norms and expectations.

Step 9: Rites of Passage

• Concept: A coming-of-age story exploring personal growth and transitions.
• Key Ingredients:
  • Character Growth: Focus on the protagonist's journey toward maturity.
  • Milestones: Significant events that mark the transition.
  • Reflection: Insights gained through experiences.
• Practical Tip: Highlight relatable experiences that resonate with audiences, such as love, loss, and self-discovery.

Step 10: Superhero

• Concept: A story featuring a hero with extraordinary abilities facing significant challenges.
• Key Ingredients:
  • Hero: A character with unique powers or skills.
  • Villain: An opposing force that threatens the world or the hero's ideals.
  • Identity: The struggle between the hero's public persona and private life.
• Practical Tip: Explore the moral dilemmas faced by the hero, making them relatable despite their powers.

Conclusion

Understanding these ten story types can significantly enhance your storytelling abilities. By identifying the core elements of each type, you can structure your narratives effectively, engage your audience, and create compelling stories. Consider experimenting with these types in your writing to find which resonates with your style and voice. Happy storytelling!