Introduction

I've been working on a five-stage story design model.

I remembered that there were five stages of grief in the Kübler-Ross model, and wondered how my system would map to them.

Surprise! It maps very well.

Stage 1

In the Kübler-Ross model, this is "denial."

I tend to consider this the "need for adaptation."

Something is fundamentally broken, but we go on like it is business as usual.

Stage 2

In the Kübler-Ross model, this is "anger."

I tend to think of this as the "need for faith."

The world has turned upside-down. Those with advice are initially rejected.

Stage 3

In the Kübler-Ross model, this is "bargaining." In order to bargain effectively, you need to know what is of value and who is pulling the strings.

I tend to think of this as the "need for knowledge."

The search for what is needed in order to effect the desired change.

Stage 4

In the Kübler-Ross model, this is "depression."

I tend to think of this as the "need for community."

Going it alone won't work. What is needed to get the help required?

Stage 5

In the Kübler-Ross model, this is "acceptance."

I tend to think of this as the "need for hope."

At the beginning of this section, when the need for hope is the highest, it is the time of the bleakest despair.

It needs to end on the common "it is going to be okay" note, at least until the next book starts.

Other files

• grief_as_story_model

  📓 Kübler-Ross 5 stages of grief as a model for story design

Keywords:

• novel writing

• story writing

• story model

• story model, grief

• stages of grief

• stages of story

• fiction writing

Category

Essays and Thoughts