NEW Writing Template for 2026 MSB FAFO Project
MSB
Template
Character Voice (Markus)
Danger Scenes
| Trigger | Response |
|---|---|
| Confusion | Sarcasm |
| Fear | Sarcasm |
| Panic | Sarcasm |
| Real danger | Sarcasm fades to seriousness |
Resource Danger
| Beat | Response |
|---|---|
| Problem | Sarcasm |
| Attempt | Sarcasm |
| Failure | Frustration / self-defeatism |
| Second attempt | Hesitant optimism |
| Relief | Sarcasm |
| Reflection | Softening |
Story Beats
World Beats
| Beat | Beat |
|---|---|
| Casual magic | Misunderstanding |
| Cultural detail | Artifact message (phone) |
| Salem = humans + beast-folk | Magic is mundane to locals |
Character Beats
| Beat | Beat |
|---|---|
| Grief memory | Sarcasm moment |
| Interaction with Whiskers | Ya’al observing |
| Translation magic moments | Burrito references |
This / Not That
| THIS | NOT THAT |
|---|---|
| observation -> implication -> doubt | internal lecture -> conclusion |
| Magic revelation -> burrito joke -> grief reflection -> cosmic thought; Humor -> Wonder -> Meaning | |
| Question -> Short answer -> Example -> New question | Avoid long exposition blocks |
| survival > power; power must always have cost or effort | No free upgrades |
Scene Structure
| Element | Pattern |
|---|---|
| Momentum Rule | Observation -> Observation -> Observation -> Interruption |
| Scene Engine | Goal -> Conflict -> Change -> New Goal |
| Narrative Promise | Promise -> Progress -> Payoff |
Something must happen.
Scene Beat Sheet
Goal: Markus wants…
Beat 1
Observation
Reaction: often sarcasm
Result
- Yes, but -> partial success with complication
- No, and -> failure creating a bigger problem
Beat 2
Observation
Reaction
Interruption / escalation
Result
- Yes, but -> partial success with complication
- No, and -> failure creating a bigger problem
Beat 3
Escalation / conflict
Action taken
Result
- Yes, but -> partial success with complication
- No, and -> failure creating a bigger problem
Sequel (Reaction -> Dilemma -> Decision)
Reaction
Emotional response: sarcasm, confusion, quiet grief, curiosity
Reflection
What does this mean?
Dilemma
If Markus does X…
But if he does Y…
Both options have consequences.
Decision
Markus chooses to…
Next goal: …
End Hook
Leave unresolved tension.
Examples:
- new danger
- new mystery
- unexpected appearance
- strange phone message
Hook: …
25-Chapter Arc Tracker
Arc Purpose
What is this arc really doing?
- Introduce world?
- Build belonging?
- Train Markus?
- Defeat a contained threat?
- Reveal a bigger threat?
Arc Spine
Arc Goal:
Arc Threat:
Arc Emotional Change:
Arc Final Payoff:
Arc New Question:
Five-Part Arc Map
| Chapters | Focus | Guiding Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | Disruption / Survival | What throws Markus off balance? What immediate problem must he survive? What makes the world feel strange? |
| 6-10 | Orientation | Who explains the world badly? What does Markus start to want? What first rules become visible? |
| 11-15 | Belonging / Training | Who begins to matter to Markus? What skill or knowledge begins to grow? What small victory proves progress? |
| 16-20 | Rising Threat | How does the contained threat escalate? What misunderstanding or cost complicates things? What pressure forces Markus to act? |
| 21-25 | Confrontation / Payoff | How does Markus face the threat? What does he win, lose, or change? What larger danger or mystery remains? |
Arc Checkpoints
- Chapter 1 hook is clear
- Chapter 5 gives a reason to stay
- Chapter 10 reveals a stronger goal
- Chapter 15 shows real progress
- Chapter 20 raises true stakes
- Chapter 25 pays off the arc and opens the next one
Arc Reminder
Contained problem solved.
Bigger problem revealed.
That keeps the serial moving without closing the world.
Social Scenes