sure! :3
1. EXPOSITION
this is where you introduce your characters and main conflict to the narrative. for the greatest dramatic impact, if your story has a happy end, they should start unhappy. (and vise versa if it has an unhappy ending.) this is the fundamental theatric concept of comedy/tragedy.
assuming you want a happy ending, your characters should be dissatisfied with something in their lives, whether it be smth as grand an enemy as The Entire Government or as intimate an enemy as being unable to crush your unrequited love yet too cowardly to confess. assuming you're writing a happy end unrequited love romance, a good exposition would involve
- introducing why the mc (main character) is in love with the li (love interest)
- why is li important to them
- what is unique about their relationship, be as specific and emotionally-tethered as possible
- the fact that mc is unhappy with their state of affairs
- how mc handles their unhappiness in unrequited love (conflict)
- does mc wallow in misery silently, does mc hide it with a fake smile, does mc get violent and aggressive?
it boils down to "what is the conflict (unresolved desire) and how does mc feel about it?"
2. RISING ACTION
rising action is where you introduce why it's important the mc gets what they want (in this case fulfills their love) and what they have to lose if they don't.
ask yourself:
- why does it matter that mc gets their love fulfilled?
- what do they have to gain? what would it mean for them to be loved back? what kind of joy, security, comfort, and happiness lies that way?
- what would happen if they got rejected?
- what does heartbreak mean to them? (anything from I'm gonna lie in bed with a delivery pineapple pizza or I have lost all hope and meaning in my life)
3. CLIMAX
this is where the main conflict question (will they get what they want or not?) gets answered
in action, this is the big final battle scene. in romance, it's the confession scene and the ultimate deciding moment of whether their love gets requited or rejected.
this is the scene where the tension is the highest and the emotional stakes are most precarious, where the characters are the most desperate and extreme.
ask yourself:
- what does the mc decide to do about their love ml pursue or give up?
- what is the most extreme (chemical) reaction between li and mc that you can think of?
- what does the li think of the mc? what do they do or decide?
4. FALLING ACTION
this is the aftermath of battle, the cleaning up the casualties and tidying up the battlefield. in love, it's comforting the other about all the extreme stress and anxiety like aftercare. it's about making each other feel safe and secure in their new relationship that came after such hardship, in the case of a requited love happy ending.
ask yourself:
- what does your mc or li need to hear to feel better and stop being anxious about their future or the stress of everything they overcame to be together
- how can they comfort each other and care for each other and enjoy their hard won happiness?
5. RESOLUTION
in the case of a fulfilled romantic happy ending, this is just the closing scenes where they walk hand in hand into the sunset. just looking towards and projecting the future. leaving the audience with a good taste in their mouths.
ask yourself:
- what kind of scene represents the pair's future?
- do they leave the stage with a kiss or a hug or a cuddle in bed the morning after or do they jump into bed together in a fade to black?
the way they leave the stage contextualizes the entire play/story/narrative.
that's all! lmk if you want any more advice on humanizing characters or any questions you have