Author R.A. Gasparac

For some reason, as writers we fear the dreaded process of plotting, and creating our story structure. This is odd because this is the core of the stories we love. This should be the most blissful part of the pre writing process. Yet, each and every writer toils over this part simply because of the pressure to weave the perfect story.  I am guilty of this, because a broken plot equals a broken story that your reader will either put down before the real conflict starts, or loathe the ending and feel shortchanged.

What we will cover in this Post:

• Plotting Basics
• Structure and Plotting 101
• Weaving Plot Chains
• Favorite References

Plotting Basics

The basis of your work (especially if it is fiction) is your plot.  Many writers overthink it.  Plotlines can be as simplistic as a bulleted list of things you want to happen throughout the course of your story, or it can be as intricate as weaving a rug on a million thread loom.

There is no denying that the more intricate the plot, the more interest your reader will have, but if you add one too many the reader cannot keep up.  The best way to go about it is to add in an A storyline ( Main storyline), and a B storyline (secondary storyline).  Any short work will benefit from only these two.  However, the longer the story, the more plotlines should be incorporated.

Structure and Plotting 101

When we talk about longer stories, we need to get out the large 18X24 sheets of drawing paper and make our story grid ( J.K Rowling’s story Grid Method). Why do we need to do this? Because intricate structure (expertly weaved major and minor plotlines) makes for a messy timeline if you aren’t organized.  Some authors keep what they call ‘Story Bibles‘ of their WIP ( Work In Progress) to record any important facts about their stories they may have to reference later.

The aim of the game when organizing your plotlines is to mix all plotlines together in a coherent manner, that tells the story while giving each plot point a distinctive time to exist for your reader.  It sounds A LOT more complicated than it really is.

Weaving Plot Chains

This is the nitty-gritty part that writers loathe.  We know we have things we want to happen, and we have the great ways we want them to happen, but organizing it all seems to be the biggest hurdle. The real work is organizing every storyline so that it moves the action forward, and prevents the story from stalling out.

For instance we will have ‘Plot A’ be the main story line, ‘Plot B’ be the Romantic storyline, and ‘Plot C’ be comedic relief. The main story will be the strongest action points in your plotline, ‘Plot B’ will be a fantastic vehicle to make readers care about your characters, and ‘Plot C’ will temporary lighten the mood after a supporting character dies, or a very heavy fighting scene. ‘Plot C’ is very important, because as human beings we can only take so much action/death (George R. R. Martin is GREAT at this with Game of Thrones).  Just as if we were in a gym running on the treadmill, we have to eventually get off, and let our muscles rest in order to get stronger.

The same goes for your reader. The fantastic part about reading and being absorbed in a story is that your brain is unaware that you aren’t the person going through the trials and tribulations.  As your brain reads and feels the words on that page, the brain acts as if it is experiencing it, rather than your characters. So give your reader the equivalent of an emotional smoke break so they do not become too exhausted to read further.

Favorite References

Websites:

• Beat Sheets
• NaNoWriMo Blog On Plotting
• The Writers Workshop

 

Books:

• Book in a Month – Writes Digest Books
• 20 Master Plots – Writers Digest Books
• Writers Craft Power Pack – Rayne Hail
• Outlining Your Novel/ Structuring Your Novel – K.M Weiland
• Novelsmithing – David Sheppard

There is no easy way to say this, but you have to do the hard work first before you can get to the fun part that is writing.  This is usually the point where those who don’t have what it takes, give up.  If you can get through this part, you can EASILY write 50k. Thoughts? Comments? Concerns? Tips? Write them in the Comments below!!!

Hey, did you miss my post on worldbuilding? Click HERE to catch up!