“A proper structure mirrors the content of the story it wants to tell. It will contain its characters and propel them forward at the same time. And it will generally achieve this most fully when it does not draw too much attention to itself. Structure should grow out of character and plot, which essentially means that it grows out of language. In other words, the structure is forever in the process of being shaped. You find it as you go along. Chapter by chapter. Voice by voice.” (Colum McCann , Letters to a Young Writer)
Writing Exercise: Structure as an Organic Force in Character-Driven Fiction
Key Writing Techniques Illustrated in the Quotation
1. Organic Structure Emerging from Character and Language – Rather than imposing a rigid framework, strong narrative structure should feel natural, arising from the needs, motivations, and voices of the characters.
2. Balance Between Containment and Momentum – Structure must give the story shape while also allowing movement, ensuring that each section advances the characters’ journeys rather than merely housing them.
3. Discovery Through Writing – Rather than outlining structure in advance, strong storytelling allows it to evolve “chapter by chapter, voice by voice,” with language guiding its development.
500-Word Writing Prompt
Write a scene of two characters trapped in a confined space (literal or figurative). One character is desperate to leave or change the situation; the other resists. The tension should build naturally, with the structure mirroring the push-and-pull between them.
Key constraints:
• Avoid outlining in advance. Instead, let the shape of the scene emerge as you write.
• Allow the language and rhythm of the dialogue, interiority, and action to dictate paragraph and scene breaks.
• The scene should feel self-contained but also generate momentum—by the end, something should have shifted, even if subtly.
Example setups:
• Two siblings arguing inside a stalled car on the side of an empty highway.
• A retiree refusing to leave a house that’s just been condemned, while their adult child pleads with them.
• A detective questioning a suspect in a room with no windows.
• A ghost haunting a space they cannot escape, while a living character unknowingly disrupts them.
Evaluation Criteria for a Strong Response
Strong responses will use structure to reflect the characters’ emotional states (e.g., long, meandering sentences for hesitation; sharp, clipped ones for urgency). They will create a sense of both containment and momentum, where tension builds organically and resolution (or lack thereof) feels earned. The shape of the scene will emerge from the interaction rather than feeling imposed or predetermined.
Weaker responses may follow an obvious or formulaic structure (e.g., a rigid three-act mini-arc with no surprises). They might rely on exposition rather than allowing structure and language to reveal the power dynamics. Scenes that feel static, with characters repeating themselves without escalation or change, will be less effective.
Follow-Up Questions for Workshopping & Revision
• Where does the scene want to go next? Does the current structure support that movement?
• Do the paragraph and scene breaks reflect the emotional beats, or do they feel arbitrary?
• If you read the scene aloud, do you hear a natural rhythm, or do some moments feel forced?
• How does the interaction create pressure? Is there a point where the structure subtly shifts to mirror that tension?
Recommended Reading
The Largesse of the Sea Maiden by Denis Johnson (especially the title story) – A masterclass in how structure evolves through voice, with each section both contained and propelling forward.
Emergency by Denis Johnson – A short story that lets structure emerge organically through character voice and movement, seamlessly shifting from the mundane to the surreal while maintaining a tight narrative core.
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