Narrative Wheel (Roue Narrative)-narrative tool for writers

Example

A story about justice might explore themes like revenge, forgiveness, and law. The Narrative Wheel helps to dissect these themes into four philosophical values: the norm (e.g., justice is served through law), the opposite (e.g., taking the law into one's own hands), the contradictory (e.g., the law is flawed), and the Trojan horse (e.g., revenge masquerading as justice).

Scenario

In a crime drama, the protagonist might begin with a belief in the legal system (the norm), but as they encounter corruption, they might be tempted to take justice into their own hands (the opposite), leading to moral dilemmas and a deeper exploration of the theme.

Example

Using John Truby's method, the Narrative Wheel breaks down the protagonist's journey into seven stages, including their initial weakness, desire, and final self-revelation. For instance, in a romance story, the protagonist's initial weakness might be their fear of vulnerability, which they must overcome to find love.

Scenario

In a romantic comedy, the protagonist starts off avoiding relationships due to past heartbreak (initial weakness). Over time, their desire for companionship clashes with their fear, leading to growth and ultimately a self-revelation that allows them to embrace love.

Example

The Narrative Wheel uses the 'Save the Cat' method to structure the plot into 18 sequential and causal steps, such as the 'Opening Image,' 'Catalyst,' and 'Final Image.' For example, in an action-adventure film, the 'Catalyst' might be the discovery of an ancient artifact that sets the hero on a quest.

Scenario

In an action-adventure movie, the 'Catalyst' could be the hero finding a map that leads to a hidden treasure. The plot would then follow their journey, with each step revealing more about their character and the theme, leading to a climactic final battle that tests their growth.