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Choosing the Right Structure

Match story needs to architectural approaches

The Core Question

You don't choose a cultural structure based on:

  • ❌ Geographic curiosity
  • ❌ Cultural heritage
  • ❌ "Exotic" appeal
  • ❌ Random browsing

You choose based on:

  • ✓ What organizational system your story naturally wants
  • ✓ Whether your story fits linear or needs different architecture
  • ✓ How your narrative elements connect
  • ✓ What your conflict pattern actually is

Decision Framework

Stage 1: Identify Your Story's Natural Architecture

Question 1: How many protagonists have equal narrative weight?

  • One clear protagonist: Linear or spiral architectures likely fit
  • Multiple equal protagonists: Web or network architectures likely fit
  • Community as protagonist: Consider web or cyclical architectures
  • Place as protagonist: Geographic architecture likely fits

Question 2: How does time work in your story?

  • Forward chronological only: Linear architecture fits
  • Past directly affects present (not just flashback): Spiral architecture likely fits
  • Cyclical/seasonal repetition: Cyclical architecture fits
  • Multiple simultaneous timelines: Web or nested architecture likely fits

Question 3: What drives your narrative forward?

  • Escalating conflict toward climax: Linear architecture fits
  • Seeking balance/restoration: Balance architectures (Ma'at, Kishōtenketsu) fit
  • Interconnected consequences: Web architecture fits
  • Physical journey: Geographic architecture might fit
  • Seasonal patterns: Cyclical architecture fits

Question 4: What is your resolution pattern?

  • Victory over antagonist: Linear architecture fits
  • Restoration of balance: Balance architectures fit
  • Pattern completion: Web or cyclical architecture fits
  • Understanding/perspective shift: Kishōtenketsu or nested architecture fits

Stage 2: Match Architecture Type to Answers

If Most Answers Suggest Linear:

Single protagonist, forward time, escalating conflict, climactic victory

→ Consider Plotting Tools Classic Structures (9 linear variations available)

World Wizards focuses on NON-linear architectures. If your story is linear, Plotting Tools may be better fit.

If Answers Suggest Web/Network:

Multiple protagonists, interconnected plots, community focus, pattern completion

→ Try:

  • Anansi Web Pattern (Africa) - classic web architecture
  • Some Griot Performance elements (Africa) - community storytelling

If Answers Suggest Spiral/Generational:

Past affects present, generational saga, ancestral presence, historical echoes

→ Try:

  • Griot Performance Cycle (Africa) - classic spiral architecture
  • Celtic Spiral (Europe) - cyclical return with accumulation

If Answers Suggest Balance/Restoration:

Seeking harmony, justice through restoration, balance disrupted and restored, no antagonist to "defeat"

→ Try:

  • Ancient Egyptian Ma'at (Africa) - cosmic balance architecture
  • Kishōtenketsu (East Asia) - four-act harmony without conflict driver

If Answers Suggest Cyclical/Seasonal:

Repeating patterns, seasonal structure, circular time, eternal return

→ Try:

  • Medicine Wheel Story Cycle (Native American) - four-direction seasonal structure
  • Maya Calendar Narrative (Mesoamerica) - cyclical time concepts

If Answers Suggest Geographic:

Place as character, physical journey structures narrative, land-based storytelling, sacred geography

→ Try:

  • Songline Mapping (Australia) - story encoded in geography
  • Polynesian Navigation Epic (Oceania) - journey creates structure

If Answers Suggest Nested/Layered:

Stories within stories, multiple narrative layers, metafiction, frame tales

→ Try:

  • Arabian Nights Nested Structure (Middle East) - classic frame narrative

If Answers Suggest Hybrid:

Magical and realistic elements coexist, emotional architecture, non-linear magical elements in linear stories

→ Try:

  • Magical Realism Pattern (South America) - magic integrated naturally
  • Rasa Journey (South Asia) - emotional/aesthetic organization

Selection Tips by Genre

Fantasy/Science Fiction

Linear works for: Single hero's quest, chosen one narratives

Consider alternatives:

  • Epic with multiple POVs → Anansi Web Pattern
  • Generational world-building → Griot Performance Cycle
  • Balance of magic systems → Ma'at Structure
  • Place-based magic → Songline Mapping

Literary Fiction

Linear works for: Character transformation arcs

Consider alternatives:

  • Contemplative stories → Kishōtenketsu (no conflict driver)
  • Family sagas → Griot Performance Cycle or Celtic Spiral
  • Interconnected lives → Anansi Web Pattern
  • Magical realism → Magical Realism Pattern

Mystery/Thriller

Linear usually fits (investigation progression)

Consider alternatives for:

  • Multiple suspects/POVs → Anansi Web Pattern
  • Cold case affecting present → Griot Performance Cycle
  • Nested revelations → Arabian Nights Structure

Historical Fiction

Linear works for: Historical events as plot

Consider alternatives:

  • Past affecting present directly → Griot Performance or Celtic Spiral
  • Multiple historical periods → Web or nested architectures
  • Cultural preservation stories → Structure from relevant tradition

Romance

Linear works for: Traditional romance arc

Consider alternatives:

  • Multi-couple stories → Anansi Web Pattern
  • Generational romance → Griot Performance Cycle
  • Emotional journey over plot → Rasa Journey or Kishōtenketsu

Regional Browsing Guide

If you want to explore by region rather than architecture type:

Africa (5 structures)

Network, spiral, and balance architectures from sophisticated oral traditions

Explore Africa

East Asia (3 structures)

Harmony-seeking and non-conflict architectures

Explore East Asia

Native American (3 structures)

Cyclical, seasonal, and spiritual journey structures

Explore Native American

South Asia & Middle East (4 structures)

Emotional architectures, nested narratives, epic traditions

Explore South Asia & Middle East

South America (3 structures)

Magical realism, shamanic journeys, and cultural memory structures

Explore South America

Mesoamerica (2 structures)

Codex narratives and cyclical calendar-based storytelling

Explore Mesoamerica

Europe (2 structures)

Saga traditions and spiral mythologies

Explore Europe

Oceania & Australia (2 structures)

Geographic and navigation-based storytelling

Explore Oceania & Australia

Selection Best Practices

Start with Story Needs, Not Region

Choose based on what your narrative wants, not geographic curiosity. A European writer might find Anansi Web Pattern perfect for their multi-protagonist story.

Read Cultural Context First

Understanding WHY a structure developed helps you use it appropriately. Cultural context is included with every wizard.

Don't Force Cultural Elements

You're learning structural architecture, not required to include cultural-specific elements. Use the organizational system, understand the philosophy, adapt respectfully.

Try Multiple Structures

With $40/year access to all 26, experiment. Your story will tell you which architecture fits.

Combine When Appropriate

Some stories benefit from hybrid approaches. Master individual structures first, then experiment with combinations.

Ready to Choose?

Access all 26 cultural structures organized by region:

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