Tag Archives: universal plots

Universal Plots: Dystopian World

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Carol Jones

A lone citizen seeks to escape or overturn a totalitarian society that has arisen after a global disaster. Often called dystopian fiction, the protagonist of this universal plot is usually an insider rather than an outsider in the society. Although … Continue reading →

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Universal Plots: Rags to Riches

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Carol Jones

The hero fallen on hard times rises to fame or fortune through luck or determination. Why do we like reality television so much? Maybe it’s the lure of the rags to riches story — someone rising from obscurity to fame and/or … Continue reading →

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Universal Plots: I hate you/I love you

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Carol Jones

I’m a sucker for the hate you/love you plot. You know the story. Girl meets boy. Girl hates boy. Girl catches boy. Girl throws boy back then gets teary when she realises that girl really really loves boy. Or vice … Continue reading →

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Universal Plots: A further thought on star-crossed lovers

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Carol Jones

If you are interested in the star-crossed lovers plot you might go back to the Bronte sisters who mastered this plot in the mid-19th century. Both Charlotte’s novel Jane Eyre and Emily’s story Wuthering Heights are masterful examples of the … Continue reading →

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Universal Plots: the star-crossed lovers

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Carol Jones

Last week I talked about how most stories are new versions of old stories. Revisiting one of these universal plots is a good way of getting an idea for a new story. Today I’d like to talk about one of … Continue reading →

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Universal Plots: the unlikely hero on a quest

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Carol Jones

It’s hard to write a completely new story. Most stories are new versions of old stories. The characters might be a little different, the setting might change but the plot is similar to ones that have been written before. There’s … Continue reading →

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