The Story Spine

When storytelling, in any medium, it is important to have a clear structure and purpose. Using a story spine is a great way to do just that. The structure of the story spine is broken down into 5 sections.

1. The Beginning

This is when the main character’s world is introduced to the audience. The main character is described and their normal routine is established. The sentence starters used in this section of the story spine are:

• Once upon a time…
• Every day…

2. The Event

The next step in the story spine is the event, this is where the routine is interrupted. Something happens in the main characters life or world that breaks the normal everyday routine that is established in the beginning. The sentence starter used in this section of the story spine is:

• But, one day…

3. The Middle

This is where the bulk of the story takes place. The main character experiences major consequences as a direct result of the routine being broken. There is no clear path and the outcome is unclear. The sentence starters used in this section of the story spine are:

• Because of that…
• Because of that…
• Because of that…

Typically there are 3 incidents in the story that the main character experiences. One is a result of the other.

4. The Climax

This is where the main character’s journey comes to a peak. They experience success or failure as a direct result of what they were faced with. The sentence starter used in this section of the story spine is:

• Until finally…

5. The End

For the main character the world has forever changed. Whether the they have success or failure, in the end, a new routine is established. The sentence starter used in this section of the story spine is:

• And, ever since then…

The author, Kenn Adams, who created the story spine has said that over the 3 decades since he developed it others have taken it and modified it to make it their own. But some of these adaptations have made it less powerful. I think that the power of the story spine is in its simplicity. It gives the author a structure of a story of which they can build upon.