What Is the Fichtean Curve and How Do I Use It?

The Fichtean Curve is a structure for writing that views the story as a series of crises. Something happens. And then the writer says to whom? How? Why did it happen and how does the character react? Something else happens, a little worse than before. Repeat those steps. Each of these “somethings” is a crisis.

All context and character development takes place within and between each crisis. When the protagonist feels safe, another crisis happens. Finally, the ultimate crisis occurs. This is the climax of the story. The actions here will change the course of the story for good or bad. Will the protagonist succeed or fail?

The Fichtean Curve is broken into 3 parts:

Rising action – a series of growing crises

Climax – the drastic thing that will make or break the protagonist

Falling action – what happens next?

In The Hunger Games, the protagonist, Katniss, experiences crises of hunger, breaking the law, and caring for her sister. Then her sister’s name is called to fight in the arena. This is a larger crisis showing rising action. Eventually, Katniss is a winner of the Games. This is the climax. The falling action is what follows for Katniss: interviews and a home for her family.

The rising action should comprise the first two-thirds of the book. Each crisis steadily increases in stakes leading to the climax. Usually, the climax of the story involves action and happens quickly. This follows a lead-up of intensifying passages. The falling action slows the pace to reach a satisfactory ending. We learn what each main character accomplished and what their fate may be.

I find reading about different structures fascinating and educational. If you’re like me, you want to know how and where your book fits. Check out the Fichtean Curve as an option next time you write prose.

Sources:

https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/story-structure/fichtean-curve/

https://www.scribophile.com/academy/what-is-the-fichtean-curve

by

Mona Mehas

https:linktr.ee/monaiv