Counterpoint argument based on the Japanese/Korean story structure called kishōtenketsu:
> The necessity of conflict is preached as a kind of dogma by contemporary writers’ workshops and Internet “guides” to writing. A plot without conflict is considered dull; some even go so far as to call it impossible. This has influenced not only fiction, but writing in general–arguably even philosophy. Yet, is there any truth to this belief? Does plot necessarily hinge on conflict? No. Such claims are a product of the West’s insularity. For countless centuries, Chinese and Japanese writers have used a plot structure that does not have conflict “built in”, so to speak. Rather, it relies on exposition and contrast to generate interest. This structure is known as kishōtenketsu.
Also, there are numerous highly regarded, non-Hollywood films that do not rely on the traditional confrontational story arc. "Killer of Sheep" and "Patterson" are two off the top of my head.
So "Universal Structure of Storytelling" seems a bit over-sold.
Confrontation is a turn, which is the third act in this Japanese rendition, 起承転結. Nowadays people just want more and more of this crescendo phase of the story, as people can't sit long enough for a slow buildup of the first two phases. The four-act story is like a knock-knock joke, yet people grow up and only have time to enjoy one punch line.
Thank you for this link! I was looking to an alternative model for so long since the "traditional" confrontational structure is quite tiring, not just for the reader.
I'm trying to write fiction and this article helped me to build a tool box that I can use to decide what a story really needs. I don't have to use a hammer anymore to solve every problem!
Do you maybe have more resources like the one you shared, other than in this thread already?
> The necessity of conflict is preached as a kind of dogma by contemporary writers’ workshops and Internet “guides” to writing. A plot without conflict is considered dull; some even go so far as to call it impossible. This has influenced not only fiction, but writing in general–arguably even philosophy. Yet, is there any truth to this belief? Does plot necessarily hinge on conflict? No. Such claims are a product of the West’s insularity. For countless centuries, Chinese and Japanese writers have used a plot structure that does not have conflict “built in”, so to speak. Rather, it relies on exposition and contrast to generate interest. This structure is known as kishōtenketsu.
https://stilleatingoranges.tumblr.com/post/25153960313/the-s...
Also, there are numerous highly regarded, non-Hollywood films that do not rely on the traditional confrontational story arc. "Killer of Sheep" and "Patterson" are two off the top of my head.
So "Universal Structure of Storytelling" seems a bit over-sold.