Conventions of the Status Genre LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE AT: www.savannahgilbo.com/blog/status-conventions If you're writing genre fiction, you'll want to know the conventions that readers will expect to see in a story like yours. Conventions are the character roles, settings, circumstances, and microevents that are specific to a genre. They’re also what help us craft a story that works AND what help us evoke emotional reactions in our readers. Conventions of the Status Genre: If you're writing a status story, you can use this checklist to help you brainstorm, outline, write, or edit your first draft. Here are the genre conventions at a glance: The protagonist wants to gain respect, but what they need is self-esteem. The antagonist opposes the protagonist and threatens their position. There is a clear (and specific) definition of what it means to be successful. The setting is public; people will witness the protagonist's success or failure. At least one social problem or moral challenge for the protagonist to face. At least one foil character who demonstrates a different path to success. At least one mentor figure who guides the protagonist, for better or for worse. At least one shapeshifter character who hinders the protagonist’s progress. The protagonist must overcome an inner obstacle related to success. The ending is usually bittersweet. Beyond these genre conventions, there are a handful of obligatory scenes that are unique to the status genre, too. Learn more here: www.savannahgilbo.com/blog/status-obligatory-scenes Notes, Insights, and Reminders: FICTION WRITING made easy EPISODE 70: STATUS GENRE CONVENTIONS www.savannahgilbo.com/blog/status-conventions 1 The 6 Key Scenes Every Status Story Needs LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE AT: www.savannahgilbo.com/blog/status-obligatory-scenes If you're writing genre fiction, you'll want to know the key scenes that make stories in your chosen genre unique. These obligatory scenes are the key events, decisions, and discoveries that help move the protagonist along his or her journey from A-Z. They’re also what helps us craft a story that works AND that will evoke emotional reactions in our readers. The 6 Key Scenes Every Status Story Needs: If you're writing a status story, you can use these key scenes as a framework to outline your story or as a checklist to help you revise your first draft. Here they are at a glance: The protagonist becomes aware of an opportunity to rise in social/economic position. The protagonist leaves their comfort zone and commits to pursuing this opportunity. The protagonist learns what the antagonist wants and why (& sees their true nature). The antagonist takes the lead and/or destroys the protagonist’s chances. All is lost. The protagonist faces the antagonist, and gets what they want or redefines success. The protagonist is rewarded externally, internally, or both. Beyond these key scenes, there are a handful of conventions that are unique to the status genre, too. Conventions are the character roles, settings, micro-events, and values that are specific to a work of genre fiction. Learn more about them here: www.savannahgilbo.com/blog/status-conventions Notes, Insights, and Reminders: FICTION WRITING made easy EPISODE 84: THE 6 SCENES EVERY STATUS STORY NEEDS www.savannahgilbo.com/blog/status-obligatory-scenes 1
