The Golden Ratio (for plot)!

What is the golden ratio?

The golden ratio is a pattern found in nature, a proportion that is found aesthetically pleasing to the eye. To put it very, very simply, it's a ratio of 1:1.618 (the latter number is an irrational number called phi, but let's skip the math). You find this proportion everywhere, the human body, seashells, architecture, web design, music, even.

Simply, it's the mathematical formula for good taste.

I've long held a suspicion that the golden ratio could be applied to writing composition. Now I've found a way to apply it to plot. I've made a small, simple javascript function that takes in the intended word count length of your project, the number of major events in your novel, and plots out where they should occur by the golden ratio.

This is purely theoretical-- I have no idea if this really works to make good literary composition. Play at your own risk.

Directions:

Type in how many words ought to be in your writing project, your intended word count.

Then, figure out how many big, plot-changing events happen in your book. Most have about 3, but this can vary depending on your needs. Don't have too many, or this won't work!

Once you calculate those two numbers, this calculator will use the golden ratio (1:1.618) to caluculate how those events should be spaced through your novel.