FS101 - Plotting

By [SleepingDragon]



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My take on plotting
Pertaining to answers 9 and 12

9. I can't plot for beans.

12. Coming up with clever, twisting plots (like mysteries or politically influenced-type stories), is difficult with me.

Hopefully, the following will help some with these issues.

Plotting

Hey all. [SleepingDragon] here with a few notes on plotting. The following is a method that works for me. Other tutorials may vary or be more in depth or more complicated. So be it.

What is a plot?

Definition (Word Web):

Noun-

1. A secret scheme to do something. (especially something illegal or underhanded) “They concocted a plot to discredit the governor”

2. A small area of ground covered by specific vegetation “a bean plot”

3. The story that is told in a novel or play or movie etc. “the characters were well drawn out but the plot was banal”

4. A chart or map showing the movements or progress of an object

Verb-

1. Plan secretly, usually something illegal “They plotted the overthrow of the government”

2. Make a schematic or technical drawing to show how things are constructed or how they work

3. Make a plat of


While definition 3 (nouns) is mainly what we are concerned with here, it is interesting to consider others, such as number 4 (map) and number 2 (area of ground). Also verb number 2. The important thing for me to point out here is that a ‘plot’ is a plan.

As with anything you do, things become simpler with a plan. Ever try to assemble a set of bunk beds without following the instructions or blue print? Ever tried baking a cake without the recipe? Overhauling an engine without a manual? See where I’m going? Yes, it can be done, but you may have a much easier time with a good plan in place before you start.

Now some might say “I want the freedom to be creative and let my story flow where it wants to.” or something similar. Fine. So do I. Having a plan does not negate this. It does in fact make it easier to be creative, so long as you don’t sew yourself in so tight that you have no room for creativity. Also, you can (and should) be highly creative while making your plan.


Here’s what I do:


1. Open word or get out a notebook. (I recommend word because you’ll probably be making a lot of edits) Write ‘synopsis’ at the top of the page. Now, write a paragraph or two on what your story is going to be about. Just a general idea. It doesn’t have to be fancy or grammatically correct, and it will likely change several times in the next little while, so leave room.

2. Identify some important elements of the story and list them. These can be things like talismans, magical swords, material evidence, specific locations etc., whatever is important to the story. Write a short blurb on each, describing them. You may also consider making maps or rudimentary blueprints for some types of stories.

3. List your main characters and write a paragraph on each. The important thing here is that you have a good picture in your mind of who your main characters are. This is extremely important, as a plot is nothing without solid characters.

4. Start a chapter by chapter outline. Ok, I know this is the real scary part for many people. Let me say this... Your outline need not be complicated or complex and it need not be very in depth. One or two fragments of a sentence may be all you need to have in place in order to move on. Here’ an example...

Chapter 1- Action scene. Random woman is killed by unknown killer.
Chapter 2- Police detective (main character 1) investigates. Sees pattern that indicates serial killer.
Chapter 3- Martha Peters (main character 2) sees story of murder on TV. Also meets handsome stranger (Main character 3)
Chapter 4- another murder, police still baffled, clue is found (item 1 from step 2 above)
...
...
...
So on and so forth until you get to...
...
Chapter ?- Climax of story, Main Character 3 is the killer, Main character 1 retires, main character 2 is admitted to psyche ward.

Its ok to have a ‘chapter ?’ at the end and fill in the middle as you work on your outline. If you have a good idea what the story is about, you probably know the ending before the other details, right? It’s an important point. Just make sure you have something for every chapter or section in the story before you start the actual writing.

As you’re doing the outline, don’t be afraid to jump around the page, adding or changing character details, editing the synopsis, placing new relevant items and locations into the story.

Very important- leave some room for the story to grow! Don’t choke it with too much detail in the outline. Recall that one definition of a plot is an area of ground where things can grow. Well, leave room for growth. Leave room for those grand ideas that come to you while writing. And remember, your characters (and their dialog in most cases) are what drives the plot.

Some elements to add:

Conflict and resolution- (probably most relevant to the synopsis but you may have a lot of little conflicts as well.) Most every story has a conflict of some kind. This is what the story is about. An evil menace is trying to take over the fictional world. A killer is on the loose. Barbie’s hairbrush is stolen. The sky is falling, etc.

Plot twists: These are things that happen unexpectedly and complicate things for your main characters. Someone gets thrown in jail or taken prisoner. The love of their life is a serial killer. The car dies as the axe murderer is closing in, Clarise loves Bobby AND Chad AND Felicia AND....you get the idea.

Action: Chase scenes, bar room brawls, the dragon attacks, etc.

Love scenes: Do I really need to explain this?

As you write

As you write, look at your outline and see what elements you are trying to address in the section. Whatever else happens, try to get them in there. Approach it as you would any writing exercise, remembering that an additional requirement is that it makes logical sense with the rest of your story. You may, at certain points, realize there are things you want to change in the outline. That’s fine. Go ahead. Move an element from one chapter to another if it fits better with how your plot is developing. Add things or subtract as necessary. Change the ending if you are so inspired. None of this is written in stone. The important thing is that you have a plan and a framework to use as you write. Hopefully this helps you avoid writing 1000 pages before you realize that all your characters are lost in the wilderness with no way back, causing you to stop for 3 months while you dream up a temporary solution.