But do you think about it as you write? Are other writers conscious of whether they're following a traditional story arc or not? As SusanL said, "I try to keep my writing original, but most of the time I just sit down and start writing." So if her stories end up following a (for lack of a better term) predefined structure, then it wasn't on purpose. Others (like an older version of me) tried to actively avoid it, but just couldn't. It was almost compulsory that I wrote like that---almost as if I had no say in the matter.
I found it fascinating, actually. Didn't know if that was just me or if others ran into it too.
No, I don't think about it as I write. I don't think structure makes much, if any, difference, as long as it's a structure that allows the reader to enjoy a good story.
There aren't many plots. We were taught in college that only four plots exist, and I believe it. There aren't even all that many types of problems, all that many conflicts. In one way or another, nearly all conflict is about pretty basic emotions or beliefs, needs, wants, life and death.
I firmly believe that the most original thing in the world is a good story, well told, filled with good, empathetic characters, well drawn.
Where originality does exist, it exists as
us, as the individuals we are. It's our unique life experiences, our unique take on all sorts of things, mundane and mighty. Originality isn't about plot or structure, it's about getting the unique us into the story, through the narrative, and through the characters.
But I just try to tell the best story I can tell, and fill it with characters who come alive on the page. I do this by not worrying about plot or structure, beyond normal, readable, storytelling structure that doesn't get in the way of the reader enjoying the story.
