Archetypes and Storybeats Part IV: Three Acts Structure

Over the last three weeks I’ve blogged about the nexus between certain well-recognized Archetypes and the story structures that go with them. I’ve reviewed the Hero’s Journey, The Virgin’s Promise, and the Sinner’s Redemption. There are, undoubtedly, many more story patterns that fit specific archetypes.

But what if you’re writing a story about a protagonist that doesn’t quite fit the archetypal pattern of a Hero, Virgin, or Sinner?

What if your main character is a Sidekick? Or a Mentor? Or a...