Back In The Day, Who Knew He Could Be Funny?

“It’s like Die Hard, but in a kindergarten.”

That was the elevator pitch for Kindergarten Cop, straight from the producer’s mouth. And you know what? It worked. The movie became a box office hit in 1990 and turned Arnold Schwarzenegger into something no one expected: funny.

Fast forward a few decades, and Hollywood is still doing it. “It’s like Gladiator, but with blue aliens.” (Avatar) Even Barbie got the “It’s like The Matrix for plastic dolls” pitch.

The thing is—these recycled, reimagined, reinterpreted stories keep working.

Why?

Because they follow the seven basic plots. These ancient storytelling templates are so hardwired into us that we crave them, even when we don’t know it. They’ve been passed down since campfires and cave paintings. They’re the reason Shakespeare still sells and why Netflix keeps your attention past bedtime.

So if you’re writing a book and worried it’s not “original” enough—good. You’re probably on the right track.

Let's go!

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A Tale As Old As Time

In 2004, Christopher Booker released The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories, based on 34 years of analyzing a vast array of stories from ancient myths to modern films.​

It's become the bible for storytellers.

Critics argue that Booker offers a rigid classification system that doesn’t accommodate nuanced and complex narratives. In his defense, books and movies that don’t follow his rubrics end up in the dust bin or appear in indie theaters.

Let me begin by explaining that the plots listed below must revolve around a hero. Booker writes:

"However many characters may appear in a story, its real concern is with just one: its hero. It is the one whose fate we identify with, as we see them gradually developing towards that state of self-realization which marks the end of the story."

Let’s break down these seven plots and what they mean for your next big idea. Next week we're going to apply this with nonfiction writing.

1. Overcoming the Monster

Think: Jaws, The Hunger Games, Beowulf
What it is: A protagonist faces an evil force or antagonist threatening their world. The stakes are life or death.
Why it works: We love seeing the little guy rise up, confront his fears, and triumph over them. It satisfies our deep need for justice.
Pro tip: Your “monster” doesn’t have to be literal. It could be cancer, a lawsuit, a toxic boss, or even a midlife crisis in a memoir.

2. Rags to Riches

Think: Cinderella, The Hunger Games, Harry Potter
What it is: An underdog starts with nothing and ends up with everything—wealth, love, success, or purpose.
Why it works: This is the American Dream in story form. Who doesn’t want to believe it’s possible to go from obscurity to legacy?
Pro tip: Use this if your story arc shows personal transformation. It’s especially powerful in business books or personal memoirs.

3. The Quest

Think: The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, Eat, Pray, Love
What it is: A hero sets out with a clear goal, meets allies and enemies, and returns home changed. Notice the transform theme in these plots? We crave it. 
Why it works: The quest mirrors our life journey—one step forward, two steps back, all in the pursuit of something greater.
Pro tip: If your book takes readers on a literal or metaphorical journey, this is your template. Use chapters to structure “stages” of the quest.

4. Voyage and Return

Think: Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Finding Nemo
What it is: The protagonist enters an unfamiliar world, faces threats or challenges, and returns wiser.
Why it works: We love fish-out-of-water stories—because we’ve all been there. The world changes us.
Pro tip: This is perfect for travel memoirs, cross-cultural novels, or “I moved to a remote island and found myself” narratives.

5. Comedy

Think: When Harry Met Sally, Parks and Recreation, Some Like It Hot
What it is: Chaos, misunderstandings, and quirky characters collide—but it all ends in joy, usually with a union or realization.
Why it works: We love laughter with a side of truth. Comedy disarms us and reveals what really matters.
Pro tip: You don’t have to write a humor book. Even a nonfiction guide with a playful voice wins the hearts of your readers.

6. Tragedy

Think: Citizen Kane, Breaking Bad, A Star is Born
What it is: A character spirals downward due to a fatal flaw, leading to their undoing.
Why it works: Tragedy teaches us what not to do. It’s cathartic. It warns us: be careful, or this could be you.
Pro tip for authors: Tragedy works best when your message is a cautionary tale—especially in addiction, leadership failures, or broken relationships.

Booker explains,

"At the beginning of a full five-stage Tragedy, the central figure is always part of a community... It is the very essence of Tragedy that the hero or heroine should become, step by step, separated from other people."

7. Rebirth

Think: A Christmas Carol, Groundhog Day, Wild
What it is: The protagonist starts in darkness but undergoes renewal, becoming someone new.
Why it works: We’re drawn to redemption. We all want to believe change is possible, even after hitting rock bottom.
Pro tip for authors: This is a favorite in spiritual memoirs, health journeys, and books about recovery or forgiveness.

So What’s the Takeaway?

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. In fact, you shouldn’t.

Every story ever told—yes, even yours—fits into one of these seven molds. That’s not limiting. It’s liberating. Because within these ancient frameworks, your personal voice, experience, and genius can shine. Readers don’t want brand-new blueprints—they want new furniture inside the house.

When someone says, “I know this story, but I’ve never seen it told like this,” you’ve won.

Your Story Deserves a Seat at the Table

You’ve lived through your own “monster,” “quest,” or “rebirth.” You’ve wrestled with purpose, made meaning from hardship, or built something from scratch. That’s a story someone needs to read right now.

You don’t need to go it alone. Whether you’re just outlining or finally ready to publish, we help writers just like you craft, structure, and publish unforgettable books that follow timeless narrative arcs.

Let’s talk about your story. Schedule a free 30-minute session with me here:
 

The world is waiting. Let’s give it a story it subconsciously knows and already loves—written by you.

Here are two more happy Illumify authors whose books we recently released...

Congratulations to Allison Bown on the release of Grace Spaces. In her book, Bown invites you into a deeper journey with God, where grace transforms the spaces between belief and experience. Grace spaces are those places where you experience disappointment, heartache, even tragedy.

Through personal stories, group coaching insights, and the truth of Scripture, she reveals how recognizing these “grace spaces” can lead to healing, growth, and unshakable confidence in God’s presence.

You know those people who just ooze with wisdom and humility? Allison Bown is one of those people. 

That's why you need to read her book. 

Dave Cole was a corporate executive with some very big companies—Coinstar/RedBox and Cadbury/Schweppes, for example. He needed some help writing the book, so we connected him with Keith Wall, one of our top ghostwriters.

The result was Leading with Heart and Soul: Lessons From a Lifetime in Leadership. From humble beginnings to executive roles in major corporations, his story reveals how a self-described "modestly gifted individual" can rise to leadership excellence. 

In each chapter, he shares valuable lessons on trust, teamwork, and relying on God's guidance, reminding readers that true leadership emerges not only in success but in times of challenge and failure.

What a great man—and what a great book!
 

Let’s bring your book to life!