Applying the 1-3-1 Rule to Writing

A Simple Framework for Author Success

Writing can feel like a chaotic process. Whether you’re drafting a novel, working on short stories, or even crafting an article, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the endless details. How do you balance character development with plot progression? How can you maintain focus while juggling subplots, secondary characters, and world-building? Enter the 1-3-1 Rule: Writing Edition!

The 1-3-1 Rule is a simple yet powerful framework that can help you organize your thoughts, streamline your writing process, and guide your creative decisions. By focusing on one main idea, supporting it with three elements, and concluding with a single takeaway message, this rule provides clarity and structure in the often tumultuous world of writing.

Though the 1-3-1 Rule is more often used in business or problem-solving, it can offer guidance at every stage of the writing journey as well, from crafting your initial draft to navigating the publishing landscape. Understanding how to apply this framework effectively can transform a scattered collection of ideas into a cohesive, purposeful narrative that resonates with readers!

What Is the 1-3-1 Rule, and Why Does It Work for Writers?

The 1-3-1 Rule is an easy-to-remember method for structuring your writing. At its core, it emphasizes focus and simplicity:

1 Main Idea: The central concept or theme of your work.

3 Supporting Elements: The key points or aspects that flesh out the main idea.

1 Takeaway Message: The core message or conclusion you want your readers to take away from your work.

This rule works because it keeps you grounded in your story or argument. Whether you’re writing a novel, short story, or nonfiction work, it prevents you from wandering too far off-track. It helps you make decisions more efficiently and ensures that every part of your writing serves the central purpose.

How Can the 1-3-1 Rule Streamline Your Writing Process?

The 1-3-1 Rule is the perfect tool for improving focus and flow. Writing can easily become messy, especially when you’re trying to juggle multiple ideas or timelines. The 1-3-1 Rule helps you refine your focus, turning what might be a sprawling, unfocused draft into something purposeful and cohesive!

▷ Step 1: Defining Your Main Idea

Every successful piece of writing begins with a single, clear idea. What is your story about? What message do you want your readers to walk away with?

For example, if you’re writing a romance novel, your main idea could be something like “Two people overcoming personal fears to find love.” In a historical fiction novel, it might be “The struggle between tradition and progress during a time of war.” In a dystopian novel, your main idea might be “The fight for freedom in a world controlled by a totalitarian regime.”

This main idea becomes your anchor. Everything in your story—whether a scene, a character, or a subplot—should tie back to it.

▷ Step 2: Adding Three Supporting Elements

The next step is adding depth to your main idea. This is where you’ll introduce your key plot points, character arcs, and themes. Choose three essential elements that will fully develop the main idea.

For example, if your main idea is “The fight for freedom,” your three supporting elements might be:

 1. A protagonist who is part of the oppressed class.

 2. A secret rebellion that opposes the regime.

 3. A moral dilemma that challenges the protagonist’s beliefs about freedom.

These three elements flesh out your main idea, giving it substance and complexity without overwhelming it.

Tip: You don’t have to overcomplicate it! Three strong elements are all you need to make your story or message resonate. If you find yourself adding more than three, consider whether each element is truly essential to your main idea.

▷ Step 3: Wrapping Up with One Takeaway Message

Your takeaway message is the heart of your writing—the lesson or truth you want your readers to walk away with. This takeaway should resonate with your audience and tie directly back to the main idea.

For our dystopian example, the takeaway message might be “True freedom isn’t just about overthrowing power—it’s about understanding and reclaiming personal autonomy.”

This takeaway helps to cement the central theme in your reader’s mind and gives your writing purpose.

How Can the 1-3-1 Rule Guide Your Novel or Story Structure?

The 1-3-1 Rule isn’t just about theme and message—it’s also an effective tool for structuring the plot and character arcs in your stories. By applying this rule to each act or chapter, you can ensure that every part of your story builds on the central idea!

▷ Act 1: The Setup

In the first act, you’ll introduce your main idea and set the stage. This is where you introduce the world, the characters, and the stakes.

Main Idea: The character is stuck in a world where freedom is limited.

Supporting Elements:

 1. The oppressive government’s control over daily life.

 2. The protagonist’s desire for change.

 3. A mentor figure who hints at the possibility of rebellion.

Takeaway Message: The protagonist is stuck, but the seed of rebellion is planted.

▷ Act 2: The Conflict

In the second act, your protagonist faces challenges that push them toward a confrontation with the central conflict.

Main Idea: The protagonist joins the rebellion, but they face unexpected setbacks.

Supporting Elements:

 1. Internal conflict about their role in the rebellion.

 2. Rising tension with the antagonistic regime.

 3. A betrayal that shakes the protagonist’s trust in their allies.

Takeaway Message: The protagonist is forced to confront their fears and doubts, and the stakes have never been higher.

▷ Act 3: The Resolution

The final act brings everything to a head, with a resolution that ties back to your main idea and takeaway message.

Main Idea: The rebellion succeeds, but at a personal cost.

Supporting Elements:

 1. A final confrontation with the regime’s leader.

 2. The protagonist’s ultimate sacrifice for the cause.

 3. The protagonist’s newfound understanding of freedom and sacrifice.

Takeaway Message: True freedom comes with a price, but it’s worth fighting for.

How Can the 1-3-1 Rule Shape Your Character Development?

Character development is one of the most important aspects of storytelling, and the 1-3-1 Rule can be incredibly helpful here, too. Just like with your plot, you’ll need one core concept to drive your character’s arc.

▷ Step 1: Define the Core of Your Character

What’s your character’s main goal or internal struggle? This is your main idea.

For example, if your protagonist is a detective in a murder mystery, their main idea might be “Solving the case to prove their worth.”

▷ Step 2: Add Three Key Development Points

Next, choose three events or choices that will shape your character’s development. These are your supporting elements.

 1. A breakthrough in the case that reveals a personal connection to the victim.

 2. A confrontation with a colleague that challenges their professional integrity.

 3. A moment of self-doubt that forces them to confront their fears of failure.

▷ Step 3: Define the Character’s Takeaway Message

Finally, what lesson or truth will your character learn by the end of the story? This takeaway message should reflect the transformation they’ve undergone.

For our detective, the takeaway message might be: “True worth comes not from solving cases, but from accepting oneself and others.”

How Can the 1-3-1 Rule Enhance Your Publishing Journey?

Once you’ve written your masterpiece, you can apply the 1-3-1 Rule to your publishing journey as well. Whether you’re querying agents, submitting to publishers, or self-publishing, applying the same principles can help ensure your book resonates with your target audience.

Main Idea: What is the core theme or message of your book?

Supporting Elements: What are three key selling points of your book? (e.g., unique premise, character-driven story, or timely relevance)

Takeaway Message: What do you want readers to feel after they read your book?

When to Adapt the 1-3-1 Rule: Flexibility in Practice

While the 1-3-1 Rule is a powerful framework, it’s important to recognize when it might need adaptation. Not every story fits perfectly into this structure, and forcing your work to conform could sometimes limit its potential.

When You Might Need More Flexibility:

Complex, Multi-Perspective Stories

Works with multiple POV characters may need a modified approach, perhaps applying the rule to each character arc while maintaining an overarching structure for the whole narrative.

Episodic or Collection-Based Works

Short story collections or episodic novels might apply the rule to individual sections rather than the entire work.

Experimental Fiction

Some literary or experimental works deliberately subvert traditional structures. In these cases, understanding the 1-3-1 Rule helps you know exactly which conventions you’re choosing to break.

Remember that the 1-3-1 Rule is a tool, not a rigid formula. The goal is clarity and focus, not conformity. Use it as a starting point, and adapt as your story requires!

Focus Your Writing Journey

The 1-3-1 Rule is more than just a tool for structuring your writing—it’s a framework that can help you stay focused and ensure every element of your work serves a larger purpose.

By identifying your main idea, supporting it with three key elements, and delivering one core takeaway, you create a clear and cohesive story that will resonate with your readers.

Incorporating the 1-3-1 Rule into your writing process will help you write with purpose, maintain clarity in your storytelling, and ultimately produce a book that will have a lasting impact on your readers.

Quick Reference Guide

Remember: The best stories aren’t necessarily the most complicated ones—they’re the ones with the clearest vision and purpose!

Erin K. Larson-Burnett, Production Manager at Atmosphere Press (submit your manuscript here!), is a born-and-raised Southerner currently living in Katy, Texas, with her husband and their small domestic zoo. She is an avid ink drinker who lives and breathes books—during the day, she works remotely with authors around the world, honing and perfecting books published through Atmosphere Press. By night, she crafts her own stories…or at least tries to. The Bear & the Rose is her debut novel.