1. Fractal Scene Writing
Theory and Practice

2. A “Fractal”
A set of “anything” that repeats, at several scales, big and small.
Fractals exist both “in the real world” and “in math” (which can represent and describe the entirety of all imagination, in at least one way)

3. A “Fractal”

4. Fractal Writing Systems
Seed Idea
Discover and compile the seeds of your story. Write one line representing the seed idea.
Story Premise
Write a one paragraph story premise which fills in more details from the seed idea.
Story Summary
Write a full page story summary, highlighting major plot points, the lessons learned by the protagonist.
Plot
Write the plot
Scene Outlining
Give play by play outline of each scene.
Scene Writing
Write the first draft
A writing system that repeats until all knowable details are known.

5. Benefits of the System
Work out all details, twists and plot problems before you sit down to write
Save time by eliminating the need to think (more on this in the final class)
Build a better novel – higher quality novels = more $$$

6. So Far We’ve Covered… Generating the Idea and Story Premise
Generating the Characters
Plotting the Book

7. Fractal Scene Writing
The system of writing an actual scene, going from plot to first draft
Again, we go from a broader view to a tighter view, seeing more details as we build.
This is an outlining system…we outline the very basics of what happens before we write
This is a play by play, much like a sportscaster giving the play by play of a game

8. Fractal Scene Writing Outline
(Hint: This is going to sound familiar to Mike’s plot outlining)
(Also, I’ve done this a million different ways in the past, all of them are legit)
A: Character takes an action (Throws a ball, fires a gun, throws a punch, steps forward, starts walking, starts a car, drops a tornado…)
R: Character reacts to the previous action taken (Dodges out of the way, walks towards the other character, etc.)
IN: Internal narration that describes what is going on in the characters head or provides background into the characters thought
AD: Action dialogue – Character speaks
RD: Reaction dialogue – Characters speaks in reaction to an action or AD
[Attributes]: Various attributes to the character that could be relevant, including state of being (emotional state, physical state, anything that affects the story)

9. Example
A: Bob approaches Betty AD[Confusion]: Betty comments. “Bob, I don’t understand” RD[Angry]: Bob claims he saw Betty kiss Bill IN: Bob’s face is red, fists clinched. He remembers the first time Betty cheated. RD[Afraid]: Betty denies it. “No, I’ve never cheated since…” … A: Bob leaves the house, slamming the door.