8 Point story arc for short stories

The writing arc is actually your book's "blueprint".  The following eight steps help keep your writing projects organized and flowing while creating the tension necessary to any bestseller. 

Point One - Stasis

Describe a typical day for your main character.  What would be normal for him / her?

Point Two - Trigger

You know that things can't stay all nice and calm, you must turn your beloved characters' lives upside down. This is your chance to establish that something is not going quite right. Create that spark here.

Point Three - The Quest

Establish some unpleasant event that your trigger is pointing towards.

Point Four - Surprise

Insert some pleasant events and obstacles. This gives your readers a chance to breathe.

Point Five - Critical Choice

This is choosing between what's good but hard OR what's bad but easy. This is the point your character has to make a tough decision.

Point Six - Climax

This is the peak of the tension that you have been building.

Point Seven - Reversal

Present the inevitable and the probable.

Point Eight - Resolution

The return to stasis - your character is somehow changed and made stronger