Departing from the Arc: New Patterns for Fresh Story Structure

Are you tired of the three-act structure, the hero’s journey, or Freytag’s pyramid—plot templates that hit the same beats over and over, making every story feel like another variation of the last? While there’s value in those classics, they’re far from the only way to tell a powerful story.

In this OnDemand webinar, you’ll explore fresh, unconventional story patterns found in published literature and learn how to craft the essential elements agents and publishers look for—tension, voice, and unforgettable plots—without falling into formula. Perfect for both novelists and memoirists, these techniques will help you shape narratives that stand out while still resonating with readers.

Publishers are always hunting for the next “new” hit—stories that capture the imagination, deliver compelling characters, and feel fresh yet universal. You won’t grab attention by rehashing the same old patterns.

Drawing inspiration from organic designs found in nature, as well as other non-traditional structures, you’ll see how risk-taking in form can still lead to commercial success. With contemporary published examples, you’ll leave with practical tools to reimagine your storytelling.

Jordan Rosenfeld, author of the bestselling Writer’s Digest craft book Make a Scene (among others), brings over twenty years of experience—and seven craft books—to her work as a writing teacher, developmental editor, and writing coach. An avid reader and deep craft analyst, she’ll guide you to step beyond your comfort zone while keeping your work aligned with traditional publishing standards.

What You Will Learn:

• How to break free from predictable three-act, hero’s journey, or Freytag-style story arcs
• How to approach plot and story structure through a new lens
• How to build tension and suspense
• Unique patterns based on natural patterns at your disposal
• The power of patterns beyond traditional three-act structure
• How voice adds to story and structure
• How character contributes to the shape of a story
• How to experiment with form and still get published

Who Should Attend:

• Novelists who want to break free from formulaic story beats
• Memoirists seeking inventive ways to shape life stories
• Writers who want to experiment with fresh narrative structures
• Writers who want to sculpt a story with a fresh voice
• Writers of all genres who want to push boundaries or straddle genres
• Writers who have struggled to make stories stand out
• Writers seeking practical, real-world examples of unconventional structures
• Any writer ready to expand their storytelling toolkit

Instructor:

Jordan Rosenfeld is author of the novels Fallout, Women in Red and Forged in Grace and six books on the craft of writing, including the brand new Sound of Story: Developing Voice and Tone in Writing, How to Write a Page-Turner, the bestselling Make a Scene, Writing the Intimate Character, A Writer’s Guide to Persistence, Writing Deep Scenes and Write Free. Her freelance writing has been published in hundreds of publications, including: The Atlantic, The New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, Salon, Scientific American, The Rumpus, Writer’s Digest Magazine, The Washington Post and many more. She is also a freelance manuscript editor, writing coach and teaches online classes. Jordanrosenfeld.net