I have started to see “plot points” in films way before I understood that I could write a story myself. When my husband asks watching a film “why do they have to do this”? I calmly react: because that’s the way the screenplay has to be written.

I was craving stories and films that would actually surprise me one way or another. I absolutely get bored with “the same difference”.

So, I’m trying to beat the routine with some freshness. Whether it’ll work or not, that’s a different story. But if someone wants to read the same story with different names, they won’t like mine. Which is fine. I won’t feel offended. I’m not writing for them apparently.

I’ll write the stories I wanted to read.

I agree, stories have to have beats and ups and downs. Definitely. Stories cannot be boring. That’s the whole point. :)

As I write romance, some basics are given whether I like it or not. (No, I have no problems with these.) :) Two people will become a couple. I just tell the “how it happened”. I tend to keep them finding problems as I have that in my life all the time. Sometimes them meeting is not at the 15% place, but right in the first scene. And sometimes the last scene is not where they finally confess their love. I write the scenes as the story requires it.

If I pull and push right, I can even fit the stories into structures. But that’s not my main aim. :)