Adventure Plot

Not to be confused with the quest plot, the adventure plot involves setting out on a journey. In a quest, the lead is pursuing some object. In the adventure plot, the lead is seeking adventure.

Along the way he meets interesting characters and gets caught up in fascinating experiences and circumstances. After the adventure the lead typically has some new insight into himself. Again, this character arc thing we keep hearing so much about.

Many movies fall into more than one category. For instance, many adventure movies involve a quest. Or one or more of the other 20 plot ideas. But below are some movies that serve as excellent examples of the adventure plot.

Star Wars (1977) – Space adventure
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Romancing the Stone (1984)
Jurassic Park (1993)
Stargate (1994)
The Mummy (1999)
The Lord of the Rings – Fantasy adventure
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone (2001)
The Incredibles (2004)
Serenity (2005)
Beowulf (2007)
10,000 B.C. (2008)

The challenging part of writing an adventure is to not get caught in the trap of writing “episodes.” In other words, your lead shouldn’t just leap from one adventure, or “episode” to another, always coming out in the same place.

One drawback to writing in an episodic manner is that the piece can end up with a disjointed feel to it. One adventure should send your lead relatively seamlessly to the next. And during the process, each adventure should teach the lead something new. She should come to a new understanding of life, herself or both.

As a rule of thumb, remember: While we may be stuck in a routine of going to work everyday at our 9-5 job, watching a movie with the family every Saturday night at 8pm or otherwise entrenched in a holding pattern, our lead should not. He’s out there. Seeing the world. Experiencing new and exciting things. Meeting new people. Learning new and valuable lessons. Basically, doing all the things we wish we could do.

Next up: The Pursuit Plot