There are certain facets of fiction writing that are perplexing to new authors. For instance, story beats. What the heck are they? Why are they important, and how do you use them in your story?
Marlowe, the AI-powered manuscript editing tool from Authors A.I., doesn’t spell out all the story beats in your novel. Instead, it identifies the major ones and provides valuable information about whether they’re happening in the right places.
But let’s back up and get grounded.
What is a story beat?
A story beat is a specific moment or event in a narrative that moves the plot forward or causes a significant shift in the story. Think of beats as the individual building blocks or pulses that make up your story’s structure.
Story beats can be:
- Plot points – Major events like the protagonist accepting her quest, discovering a betrayal, or facing the final confrontation
- Character moments – Revelations, decisions, or emotional turning points that change how a character views himself or his situation
- Information reveals – When crucial details are disclosed to characters or readers
- Relationship shifts – Moments that alter the dynamic between characters
The term comes from music and screenwriting, where “beat” refers to a unit of rhythm or timing. In fiction, beats create the rhythm and pacing of your story. Some writers use beat sheets to outline their novels, listing each major beat in sequence to ensure proper story flow and structure.
For example, in a romance novel, beats might include: the meet-cute, the first conflict, falling in love, the big misunderstanding, the breakup, and the grand gesture reconciliation. Each beat serves a specific purpose in advancing both the plot and the emotional journey of the characters.
Story elements in the Author Dashboard
After you upload your manuscript as a Marlowe Pro user, you’ll see Marlowe’s breakdown of the major story elements in your novel. Our data scientists have determined that major story beats occur at roughly 10% intervals in bestselling fiction, so keep that in mind as you review your results.
Let’s take an example. Consider the graph above based on Marlowe’s analysis of Project Hail Mary by science fiction author Andy Weir (whom I met at a book signing event a few years ago). Here is Marlowe’s feedback on how the author handled these key story elements:
Hook: The novel opens with a relatable, bewildering first-person voice awakening in a strange, amnesiac environment, with repeated questioning by a cold machine—a strong hook that pulls readers into a tense, fraught scenario. It is highly effective in instantly setting up mystery and a need for answers.
Inciting incident: The inciting incident, a critical beat in fiction, is Ryland’s awakening in the unknown ship, stripped of memory and faced with a repeating demand from the onboard computer. This occurs at exactly the right place—a sudden disruption that propels him to investigate and adapt, leading to the chain of discovery that unravels the crisis.
Call to adventure: Ryland initially resists, both through practical incapacity and emotional overwhelm. His memory flashes and physical struggle mirror a classic “call refused,” until necessity and eventual memory recovery coax him into action. The transformation from unwilling amnesiac to active problem-solver is well-handled.
Midpoint shift: Midway, the first contact with Rocky—and the development of a cross-species partnership—is a major shifting event, introducing new hope, stakes, and thematic meaning. This midpoint is placed at roughly the 50% mark and is well-timed.
Climax: The climax hinges on Ryland’s ethical and personal decision: abandon Rocky to die or forsake his own homecoming to save a friend and an entire alien species. The narrative delivers a climax that is both emotionally and thematically satisfying.
Resolution: The story resolves with Ryland succeeding in his mission, saving both worlds, and settling on Erid—his fate uncertain but meaningful. Nearly all major threads are tied off, though readers would benefit from additional emotional space and an epilogue addressing Earth’s longer-term outcome.
All these story elements combine into a strong, cohesive storyline following a classic Three Act Structure, supporting modern reader expectations while delivering a distinct, satisfying narrative.
What to look for in your novel
Your graph will look different from Andy Weir’s, of course. If you’re just starting out, you should be familiar with some of the conventions of genre fiction, including an inciting incident that occurs fairly early in the story, key plot points in Acts 1 and 2, a midpoint shift that sends the story in a new direction, the climax, and resolution.
Veteran authors know all about these elements and use Marlowe to see where they occur in the narrative. Dozens of authors have told us they run their first draft through Marlowe, then rearrange some of the scenes or reorder their chapters so that the major action set pieces or key romantic scenes are more evenly spaced out.
Best practices for story beats in your draft
Understanding story beats is one thing — implementing them effectively is another. When drafting your novel, consider these best practices to ensure your beats land with maximum impact.
First, trust the rhythm but don’t be enslaved by it. While bestselling fiction tends to follow predictable patterns with major beats occurring at roughly 10% intervals, your story should dictate the structure, not the other way around. Use these guidelines as a diagnostic tool rather than a rigid formula. If your inciting incident naturally occurs at 8% rather than 10%, that’s perfectly fine — as long as it serves your narrative effectively.
Second, ensure each beat does meaningful work. Every major story beat should either advance the plot, deepen character development, raise the stakes, or shift the story’s trajectory. Weak beats — moments that feel important but don’t actually change anything — create false peaks that exhaust readers without rewarding them. Ask yourself: does this moment fundamentally alter my protagonist’s situation, understanding, or goals? If not, it may need strengthening or repositioning.
Third, pay special attention to the spacing and pacing between beats. A common mistake among new writers is clustering too many major beats together, creating an overwhelming rush of action followed by long stretches of stagnation. Think of your story beats like stepping stones across a river — they should be spaced to create a sustainable rhythm that keeps readers engaged without exhausting them. This is where tools like Marlowe become invaluable, offering a bird’s-eye view of your manuscript’s structure so you can identify where the pacing lags or races.
Finally, remember that different genres have different beat expectations. Thriller readers expect quick, punchy beats that maintain relentless tension. Literary fiction readers appreciate slower, more contemplative beats that emphasize internal transformation. Romance readers anticipate specific emotional beats tied to relationship development. Study bestsellers in your genre to understand the rhythm your readers expect, then use that knowledge to craft beats that feel both fresh and satisfying.
Ready for Marlowe?
Ready to run your manuscript through Marlowe? Buy a single report ($29.95) or sign up for the monthly plan ($19.95) and you’ll have Marlowe’s complete analysis of your story with actionable insights, recommendations, and a section highlighting areas that need work — all in 10 to 15 minutes.
Questions? We’re here to help — ask away on our Facebook group page.
