I have already mentioned this technique in Don't no 10: Pointless Plot Twists.

So in this chapter we will jump straight forward to the explanation and examples of the steps used in this technique.

This technique is excellent for testing new ideas and remember that if your story idea does not complete this simple outline, that means your plot requires work and is not yet ready to come out to the world.

To explain this technique, I am using the example of the first story I reviewed: 

The Rose That Bloomed In Augustine by Viola130831

STEP 1 - THE SET UP WANT

The story starts with the protagonist, Melanie, wanting refuge from her abusive guardian. This, the set up want of the story is the want of safety and protection. 

The Act 1 of the story is based on how she accidentally meets the Salvatores and how they decide to help her.

STEP 2 - POINT OF NO RETURN

In this step, like explained earlier, protagonist gets what she wanted. That is Melanie gets adopted by the Salvatores and they offer the safety and protection which she wanted and also assure her that her abusive guardian won't be able to get her as long as they were with her.

Basically, this is the point of no return. Melanie gets what she wanted, the Salvatores realize that she needs their help and thus they help her and throughout the journey, they discover that they are as close as a family should be and therefore they become a family. 

The Salvatores can't abandon her and she has nowhere else to go.Hence for all the characters in the plot, the point of no return has been set. 

STEP 3 - THE CATCH

In this step, protagonist also gets something else with the set up want which she wishes to get rid of; the catch.

The catch in this story is that even though Mel found a family and got the protection she needed but along with that she also got involved in the hazards of the supernatural world.

The catch consists of all those unpleasant stuff which comes free for living with two vampires, one of whom is impulsive as hell (Damon, obviously). She also has to deal with the continuous fights that arise between the brothers, is torn because she equally cares for them both and yet as the story unfolds, she is faced by the choice of picking one from the two.

Remember that the catch must be the perfect foil for the set up want. Both of these steps are simultaneous and should be planned as such.

 STEP 4 - THE FLAW

Melanie's main flaw is that she is way too self sacrificial. She always places others before her wants and needs and can do anything for the people she holds dear.

You must be wondering that how can this be a flaw. But yes, it is.

Her other flaw is being a possessive pessimist. The people she cares for, she wants them to do the exact same for her in return. But at the same time she also expects very little. Which makes her distrustful of others. 

STEP 5 - THE STRENGTH

Now as it is stated before, the strength is the complete opposite of the flaw and is something which the character is trying to achieve throughout the story.

Melanie's strength probably should be giving herself a chance as well as others. Learning to place herself as important as well and also trusting other people who are close to her.

STEP 6 - THE CRISES

Now this is the point which is known as the lowest emotional point of the story in which the protagonist is downcast and wishes never to have gotten what he/she wanted in the first place.

In the considered story, there is a variable amount of crises. To not spoil the story, I will take the example of the first crises which takes place when the protagonist is 10 years old. The Salvatores have a huge argument such that they decide to split their ways believing that they can not live together any longer. Melanie is devastated because she viewed both of them as her only family and treated them both equally as older brothers.

This situation can be defined as the appropriate crises for the story. Protagonist is devastated and his/her strength is being put to test.

STEP 7 - THE CLIMACTIC CHOICE

Like said earlier, the strength of the protagonist is being put to test. Melanie is naturally a distrustful person and it takes her a log time to form good stable relationships. And here in this crises, it is being to test since the only close relations she has are severed and she has to make a choice between both of the brothers.

This choice is the climactic choice which she would make under pressure from the situation.

In the meanwhile she also discovers a strange connection between her and Damon. A link that was kept under wraps for too long and yet is impossible to be severed.

STEP 8 - FINAL CHOICE

The final choice decides the final outcome of the story. After the crises and the climactic choice, Melanie has to make a final choice which will be the conclusion. I am not stating it here since that would be a major spoiler. But her final choice is what will decide her fate as well as that of Stefan and Damon.  

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I hope this explanation cleared your concepts. If you have any questions do not hesitate to mention in the comments. Or you can also send a message to my inbox if you want.

Stay tuned for the next technique!