- What was the status quo?
- What happened to change, or destroy that?
- How did your main character (you, in a memoir) attempt to resolve it?
- How did his or her trials turn out?
- What do you hope the reader will walk away with?
In a book-length work, the same blueprint should also be the backbone of each chapter, which begins with a new status quo, a new problem for the character (you in a memoir) to get through, and a new ending—a cliffhanger to take the reader to the next chapter.
Even some poetry can fit into this blueprint.
Don’t see it as a template or outline, because it’s not. But if you can’t answer the above questions, either before or after you’ve written the piece, something’s missing. (Unless it’s “stream of consciousness”, which is just journal writing and not what I’m addressing here).
Beginning, middle, and end. It’s the first lesson in the most basic writing class. Even the story of how your day went today would be told as beginning, middle, and how it all ended. Hopefully, with your having gifted the world with one of your stories!
Let's Write! Creative Writing Services -- Valerie Serrano, Editor, Book Coach 