21.18: Deconstructing the Three Act Structure
From Writing Excuses by Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler
May 3, 2026 · 31 min · Season 21 · Episode 18
About this episode
The episode explores the three-act structure in storytelling with guest Margaret Dunlap.
Today, we are joined by Margaret Dunlap as we dive into the three-act structure. This traditional framework—setup, confrontation, and resolution—is a tool to use rather than a formula to follow. We break down each act, exploring the defining questions, try/fail cycles, and emotional shifts that shape a story. We also highlight the importance of identifying your central dramatic question while examining common pitfalls like the “soggy middle.” Today’s biggest takeaway is that this structure should serve your story, not constrain it. Homework: Take a familiar fairy tale (e.g., “The Three Little Pigs” or “Goldilocks”) and map it onto a three-act structure. Identify where Act One, Act Two, and Act Three fall, and note whether you would need to add or adjust elements to make it fit more clearly. Final WXR Cruise! Our final WXR cruise sets sail for Alaska in September 2026—get your tickets here! Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, Erin Roberts, and DongWon Song. Our guest was Margaret Dunlap. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson. Join Our Writing Community! Writing Retreats Newsletter…
People in this episode
Hosts: Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, Erin Roberts, DongWon Song
Guest: Margaret Dunlap
Topics covered
- three-act structure
- storytelling
- dramatic question
- story structure
- writing techniques
Keywords
- three-act structure
- storytelling
- dramatic question
- soggy middle
- writing homework
Sponsors
HomeServe, MasterClass, Talkiatry
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: NOCD
More episodes of Writing Excuses
- 21.23: Barrier Breaking: Interruptions · June 7, 2026 · 30 min
- 21.22: The Order of the Telling · May 31, 2026 · 27 min
- 21.21: Rhythm and Words · May 24, 2026 · 24 min
- 21.20: Sequencing from Mega to Micro · May 17, 2026 · 34 min
- 21.19: Getting Everything Connected · May 10, 2026 · 24 min
- 21.17: The Up and Down Escalators · April 26, 2026 · 28 min
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