Storylines

Storylines are the sequences of events and actions that make up a narrative. They provide the overarching path through which a character grows, a conflict unfolds, and a setting becomes meaningful. In common usage, a storyline refers to the intended progression of events across a work of fiction, whether imagined in a novel, film, TV series, or game.

The term is sometimes distinguished from plot. Plot denotes the arranged sequence of events as they are presented to an audience, often focusing on causality and suspense. The storyline is the underlying world chronology, including backstory and events not directly shown, and it may be revealed gradually through clues, foreshadowing, or character memory.

Key elements include characters, setting, conflict, goals, and the causal relationships that connect actions to outcomes, as well as subplots and thematic threads. Storylines rely on motivation and consequence to create coherence and drive engagement.

Most traditional narratives follow a rising action, climax, and resolution, though many works use non-linear or episodic structures. In serialized media, storylines may continue across episodes with ongoing continuity, and they often interweave multiple character arcs. In interactive media, branching storylines and multiple endings allow the audience to influence outcomes, creating a dynamic relationship between story and participant.

In writing and media production, storylines are planned with tools such as story bibles, continuity notes, and arc outlines to maintain coherence across episodes, books, or games.