Hey guys! thought I'd launch my first question with a really rubbish slogan from a shirt I own :')
On a serious note, I seem to be able to get everything down to the finest detail, the setting, the characters, whether they play nice or whether they really want to throttle each other [all sort of prelim stuff I know] but when it comes to the plot I fall down, badly.
I just can't seem to get how to create a plot or even what it is [in a technical sense, of course I know what a plot is] and I was wondering if any one could shed some light on where I'm going wrong or how I can develop a plot - in as pain free a way as possible.
My natural style of writing is to just write, so I often end up with some pretty good ideas [in terms of not just copying everyone elses ideas] for things that can happen, but can never find a place to fit them in effectively.
Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated !
Cheers guys.
Oh and, is my image all blurred and poor quality? it seems so from this end any ideas on how to sort that out?
I used to write freely, seeing where the story took me, but lately I have become far more rigorous. This works far better for me and I truly believe my writing is better as a result.
So what do I do?
I write a plan.
First a synopsis of the story. No more than 500 words.
Then the characters get outlined and over time I go back to this basic character outline and fill in more details as the story gets written. I use this character outline as a referral and go back to it when I write to make sure that what I am writing fits with the character's personality.
I plan each chapter in advance based on the synopsis of the story.
I write using these notes as my basis, then as the story unfolds I tweak it and alter it accordingly.
I find having a plan helps me to stay focused and keep momentum. Also, if I hit a part of the tale and get stuck I can move on to a later part and then return to the problem with greater insight.
After the first draft I read through the manuscript and take notes on what works and what doesn't work then teak my notes again - or even write new ones. Then it's time for the second draft.
Draft two gets read by someone else and they are given the notes as a guideline as well to see how much my story conforms with my intentions.
Then it's time for draft three - but I haven't got that far yet so can't say how that will unfold. :-)
Hi Frank
I think of plot as a series of links in a chain. Each link is one incident in a series of dramatic events.
This may involve an element of mystery or suspense as to what happens next.
The best storylines and plots are as straight as can be.
Below I have made a simple example of a plot.
Cause - A family member dies in a novel. Effect - Family and friends are devastated. But that may not be the case. A family member may be glad their relation is dead. The deceased might have been very rich.
Cause - The reading of the deceased last Will and Testament. Effect - Some family members left nothing by the deceased.
Cause- Resentment against the beneficaries of the Will. Effect - Family fued.
Cause - The Will is challenged in court. Effect - The will is declared Null-and-Void.
Cause - The original beneficaries are ordered to give back the money after a second Will is discovered.
Cause - Refuse to give back the money. Contest the second Will. Effect - Drawn out court case.
I highly recommend the novels of Malorie Blackman.
She is a brilliant plotter.
I hope that helps.
Good Luck.
I cannot think of a better plotter than Malorie Blackman.
I think I would agree with Frank. I have the same problem with plots and working backwards can really help. Maybe even try to do a sort of mind map of all your ideas for the story and see if or how they fit together.