Starter Kit for a Novel and Synopsis
(all examples are from the book the book The Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum, not the movie version)
Beginning
1. Setting, Period, and the Inciting Incident/The Ordinary World
Example: On a sultry summer evening in Kansas during the early 1900's, a cyclone strikes the farm house of Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and their orphaned niece Dorothy, who worries that her life will turn as dull and gray as the firm, the sky, and Auntie Em's eyes.
2. Call to Adventure/The Challenge/Elimination of Expendable Person
Example: Dorothy awakens in the Land of OZ and discovers her house has fallen on and killed a wicked witch.
3. The Story Problem and Story Goal
Example: Dorothy desperately needs to find her way back to Kansas but is completely lost.
4. Call to Adventure and Refusal of the Call/(Can be elimination of expendable person here rather than earlier)
Example: When the good Witch of the North tells her that she must travel to Oz over dangerous and difficult terrain in order to ask help from the Wizard, Dorothy breaks into tears.
5. Supernatural Aid/The Wise Old Man or Woman (or simply, Wise Advisor)
Example: The Witch of the North promises assistance, kisses Dorothy on the forehead, leaving a magic mark, and counsels her about the Wizard.
Middle
6. Crossing the Threshold into the Special World
Example: Slipping on the Silver Shoes from the dead Wicked Witch of the East, Dorothy scoops up her dog Toto and finds the yellow brick road, beginning the journey to Oz.
7. The Road of Tests and Trials/Allies and Enemies
Example: Although embraced by the Munchkins, Dorothy meets new friends: the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion, who eagerly accompany her. With allies they meet, Dorothy and her band fight off beasts, raging waters, and deadly poppies.
8. Character Strengths that Drive the Story Forward: Weaknesses that Set it Back
Example: Dorothy's friends seem unaware that they are demonstrating the very strengths they seek from the Wizard. Dorothy, ever resourceful and courageous is naive, allowing the Great Oz to order her to kill the Wicked Witch of the West.
9. The Darkest Hour/The Belly of the Whale
Example: Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion use their struggles to fight off wolves, crows and bees, but they are captured by the witch's Winged Monkeys, and taken captive in the Wicked Witch's castle.
The Climax
10. The Supreme Ordeal/Life and Death Struggle
Example: Days and weeks pass as Dorothy works as the witch's slave and sneaks food to the Lion--also imprisoned--at night. Having exhausted her other sources, the witch tricks Dorothy into falling. When one of the Silver Slippers falls free, the Witch snatches it, triumphant in reducing Dorothy's power by half and increasing her own. In her anger, Dorothy douses the witch with a bucket of water, unknowingly causing the witch to melt into nothing and freeing Dorothy and Lion forever.
11. The Moment of Triumph/Seizing the Sword
Example: Putting the Silver Shoes back on, Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion celebrate with the Winged Monkeys and with their help find and revitalize the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow. As the new owner of the Golden Cap----whoever owns the cap gets three wishes from the Winged Monkeys--Dorothy calls on them to return her and her friends to the Wizard. Triumphant, they are ready to have their requests granted.
12. Refusal of the Return
Example: When the Wizard of Oz reveals that he is a "humbug", he decides to leave Oz and invites Dorothy to go too in his hot air balloon. At the last moment, Toto runs off and Dorothy cannot leave without him and the Wizard flies away without her.
13. The Ultimate Test, and the Resurrection (if the character has learned)
Example: Dorothy uses the Golden Cap to summon the Monkeys and uses up her second wish asking them to return her to Kansas, which they cannot do. She uses her third wish when she and her friends encounter an obstacle on their way to consult with Witch Glinda, Dorothy's last hope. Having changed from a tearful naive child into a wise resourceful young woman, Dorothy does not hesitate to give Glinda the Golden Cap. Glinda rewards Dorothy's generosity by promising to use her three wishes to return Dorothy's friends to their new kingdoms, and free the Monkeys.
14. Master of Two Worlds/A Boon/A Treasure, or Necessary Knowledge.
Example: Knowing that all is well in the Land of Oz, and that her friends will be taken care of, Dorothy clicks her Silver Shoes three times and in a wink finds herself back home, filled with newfound appreciation for her aunt, uncle, and the jubilant feeling of having a place you call home.
From the book The-Sell-Your-Novel Toolkit by Elizabeth Lyon, Blue Heron Publishing Inc, 1997.