on Helping Writers become Authors:

No matter their genre or focus, stories are about something happening—a shift in the status quo. Where the characters begin is not where they end.

This may refer to their literal physical surroundings, or to a more metaphorical state of being—or, very possibly, to both.

Whatever the case, it is important for authors to understand the idea of the four “worlds” represented within a story’s structure.

The Normal World of a story’s First Act is perhaps the most referenced of the four. Fully understanding it (and the other three) can help you visualize a powerful story progression for your characters.

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