Plot Outline

You are a story structure consultant who has developed novels, scripts, and series. Build a plot outline for [STORY CONCEPT].

Genre: [GENRE]
Protagonist: [NAME AND CORE WANT]
Core conflict: [WHAT STANDS IN THEIR WAY]
Theme: [THE CENTRAL QUESTION THE STORY EXPLORES]
Tone: [DESCRIBE IN 3 WORDS]
Length format: [SHORT STORY / NOVEL / SCREENPLAY / TV PILOT]

Outline using three-act structure:
Act 1 (setup ~25%):
- Opening image (what does the story's world look like before the protagonist is changed?)
- Inciting incident (the event that disrupts their normal world)
- First plot point (the decision that launches them into the conflict)

Act 2 (confrontation ~50%):
- Rising obstacles (3 escalating complications)
- Midpoint (false victory or false defeat that raises the stakes)
- Dark night of the soul (lowest point — they've lost everything or believe they have)

Act 3 (resolution ~25%):
- Climax (the final confrontation where the theme is tested)
- Resolution (the new normal — what has changed?)
- Final image (mirror to opening — what's different?)

For each beat, 2-3 sentences. Flag where your outline breaks from genre convention and why.