Development Notebook

Scratch Pad

navy will perform air cavalry and troop transport role with gunships. I need to flesh out the marine recon role.

Increase the length of the prologue, to have more fleeing, near death experiences, etc.,
Here is a list of characters

Here is a list of warships

Here are the Races and Professions.

http://robertplewis.com/index.php/Category:Naval_Weapons

• need a page to promote artists.

http://robertplewis.com/index.php/System_Titles

Outline

This outline combines Gail Carriger's Heroine's Journey model (from The Heroine's Journey: For Writers, Readers, and Fans of Pop Culture, 2020) with classic 3-act structure.

Carriger's model emphasizes connection, networks, delegation, compromise, and community restoration. The protagonist builds or rebuilds alliances to achieve shared victory. Success benefits the group; individual revenge or glory is irrelevant.

Phases: Descent (broken network), Search (gathering allies, risk, rebuilding), Ascent (negotiated success, new network).

The model is not gender-specific and works across genres — it prioritizes relational growth over solo heroism.

Act 1 – Setup / Descent (≈ 0–25%)

Ordinary World → Inciting Incident → Plot Point 1 (Forced withdrawal into isolation/risk)

Focus: The protagonist's original network (family, team, society, found family) breaks or fails. Attempts to repair or appeal within the system are ignored or powerless, leading to involuntary separation, danger, and isolation.

Descent Phase – Broken Network & Abdication

1. Familial/Social Network Breaks

  Core community shatters (betrayal, loss, crisis, misunderstanding, external force). The protagonist senses a better possibility but feels trapped in dysfunction.

1. Pleas Ignored, Power Abdicated

  Attempts to appeal, negotiate, or fix within the system fail. The protagonist is dismissed, overruled, or forced to relinquish control. Involuntary withdrawal follows.

Plot Point 1 (End of Act 1): The protagonist is isolated and at risk. They must venture into the unknown (alone or with minimal support). No easy return to the old network.

Act 2 – Confrontation / Search (≈ 25–75%)

Rising action, gathering allies, trials → Midpoint shift → Dark Night low

Focus: The protagonist searches for solutions, disguises vulnerabilities if necessary, and builds a new network or found family. Isolation and danger test the ability to connect, delegate, collaborate, and compromise rather than conquer alone.

Search Phase – Isolation, Risk, Rebuilding Attempts

1. Isolation, Danger, Risk

  Alone or nearly so, the protagonist faces threats (physical, emotional, societal) and navigates underworld-like challenges.

1. Search & Disguise/Subversion

  The protagonist seeks answers, information, or help, often in disguise or by subverting expectations. They begin gathering allies who recognize their value.

1. Attempt to Rebuild Community

  The protagonist delegates tasks, prods allies forward, and negotiates compromises. Shared goals emerge; the new network strengthens but remains fragile.

Plot Point 2 / Dark Night (End of Act 2): Lowest point. The new network falters, old wounds reopen, or a major compromise appears impossible. The protagonist faces the threat of total isolation or collective failure.

Act 3 – Resolution / Ascent (≈ 75–100%)

Climax → Negotiated Victory → New Equilibrium

Focus: The protagonist rises through collective effort. Success is achieved via negotiation and compromise that benefits all parties. A new or reborn network forms — stronger, more equitable, and inclusive. Victory is shared; there is no solo glory.

Ascent Phase – Success, Negotiation, New Network

1. Success in the Search

  Through the combined strengths of allies, the protagonist achieves the goal (restoring balance, healing rifts, creating something better).

1. Negotiations & Compromises That Benefit All

  Final deals bridge divides. The focus is on mutual gain and harmony rather than revenge or personal glory.

1. New Network Re-Established (Altered Form)

  The community is reborn — stronger, more equitable, and deeply connected. The protagonist has integrated the lessons of connection.

Final Image / Return: The protagonist exists within a renewed, thriving network, viewing the world through the lens of connection. Peace is achieved through unity, not domination.

Quick 3-Act Beat Summary

Act	Key Beat
Act 1	Hook
Act 1	Inciting Incident (Network Break)
Act 1	End Act 1 (Isolation Begins)
Act 2	Midpoint (Network Building Shifts)
Act 2	End Act 2 (Dark Night of Network Threat)
Act 3	Climax (Collective Victory)
Act 3	Resolution (New Network)

Tips

• Carriger stresses this model is not gender-specific (examples: Harry Potter builds networks to defeat Voldemort; Barbie rebuilds connections in her world).
• Contrast with the traditional Hero's Journey: isolated protagonist defeats evil alone for personal glory vs. networked protagonist who prods allies toward shared victory.
• Common examples: Barbie (2023), Everything Everywhere All at Once, ensemble/redemption arcs (e.g., Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender).
• Phases may overlap; internal growth can be added, but the core emphasis is external connection over individual conquest.