Tag Archives: Wordsmithsix.com

Being Consumed

Posted on by
1

POSTCARDS FROM THE MUSE

Being Consumed

By Nandy Ekle

I know my job is to write about plot. Plot is very important because that’s the essence of the story. It’s the conflict, it’s how the characters react to the conflict, it’s how the conflict reacts to the characters, and it’s who wins in the end. In short, if you got no plot, you got no story.

Lately, something has happened to me that I crave to happen constantly. I am consumed by a story. This story popped in my head a couple of years ago while listening to a song on my play-list. This song is on an album I had as a teenager and I wore it out listening to it so much. Now, as an adult with the ability to purchase electronic forms of music, I found the album on-line and bought it. So all the songs were familiar old friends. 

But when this particular song played, it was more than just remembering how much I liked it back in yore. A seed opened up and a root shot out into my mind. I had to hear the song again, and again, and again, over and over. The root grew a stem, the stem grew leaves, and a bud began to open. And all the while, the roots took over more and more of my mind.

I am now so consumed by this story growing that every thought I have goes back to the song. 

Congratulations. You have just received a postcard from the muse.

Snowflake Method (Summarized)

Posted on by
Reply

Snowflake Method (Summarized)

by Adam Huddleston

For my last blog concerning plots, I wanted to summarize the Snowflake method created by Randy Ingermanson.  

1.  Write a one-line summary of your entire story

2.  Expand your one-line summary into a paragraph

3.  Write a one-page summary for each major character

4.  Expand each sentence of your one-line summary into a full paragraph (about one page)

5.  Expand your one-page plot summary into a four-page synopsis

6.  Continue expanding major and minor character descriptions

7.  Continue expanding your synopsis by creating individual scenes (a program such as Excel will help)

I hope this helps in your writing!

Techniques to help develop a plot

Posted on by
1

Techniques to help develop a plot

Rory C. Keel

1. Write a synopsis of your story

2. Outline your story by Chapters

3. Use index cards

4. SOTP – Seat Of The Pants writing where you draw the map as you travel

Remember, Plot is the map of the story and not the story. It is the overarching outline that you fill with all the story details.

Find the method that helps you write your story.

Pantser or Plotter?

Posted on by
1

Pantser or Plotter?

By Adam Huddleston

Here’s a repost of a blog from 2015

So the questions come up when new writers look to begin their first work: How do you write a story?  Do you begin at the first and then just plug away?  Do you organize all of your scenes first and then write it?  What’s the best way?

Guess what folks.  It really depends on the writer and their preferences.  I will say that there are pros and cons to each. Let’s examine the two prevailing methods.

  1. The “pantser” writes by the seat of his/her pants.  They start from word one and let it fly. The plot unfolds as they write.  This can be a very exciting and creative method, but it can also lead to quite a bit of editing later on. 
  2. The “plotter” plans out each scene and plot twist before they begin to write anything.  This allows the process to be more streamlined and decreases editing. 

Most writers probably use a little of both and what works best for you is simply that; what works best for you.  I prefer to write and edit the “major” scenes that I know I want in the story then piece them together with “minor” scenes. 

Try out both methods and see which you prefer.  Happy writing!

Let Down

Posted on by
Reply

Outtakes 377

Let Down

By Cait Collins

Have you ever started reading a story and when you reached the end, it was a real let down?  Good plots lead to a satisfying ending.  No one wants to read a romance only to find the hero and heroine separate at the end. Rule number one of a romance is to have a happy ending. But when Prince Charming leaves Cinderella with a peck on the cheek and a “see you later”, we’re not satisfied.  And chances are we will not purchase another book by that author.

A good story catches the reader within the first few pages. It maintains a rhythm that builds to a climax and then begs for a resolution. It’s spiced with twists and turns that challenge the characters. The obstacles force the hero to grow and become stronger. And in the end the questions are answered and the hero is able to build a life beyond the troubles and trials of his past.

Sometimes the writer’s journey is really difficult. A promising story falls apart. I write my characters into corners and can’t find a way to get them out without the story seeming contrived. Good writing requires patience and an open mind. It doesn’t happen overnight. I am currently reading an early Nora Roberts release. It’s fun and I am enjoying it.  But the real thrill is seeing how she has continued to hone her talent and find new stories to tempt the reader.

Story Plot chart

Posted on by
Reply

 

Story Plot chart

Rory C. Keel

We’ve all heard of the Story arc or Plot Mountain, here is another way to look at the “plot” in your story.

Credit: https://writingcooperative.com

Non-linear Plot

Posted on by
Reply

Non-linear Plot

by Adam Huddleston

Infuriating to some, fascinating to others, a non-linear plot in writing or film can be very thought provoking.  I, for one, am a fan of non-linear narrative.  

What does it mean for a work to be non-linear?  A simple definition is that it is a plot that does not follow a chronological path.  This can be obtained by using multiple plot lines, character flashbacks, or internal narrative.  

Literary examples include: “Wuthering Heights”, “Slaughterhouse-Five”, and “Cloud Atlas”.  Examples in film include several Quentin Tarantino pieces such as “Pulp Fiction”, “Reservoir Dogs”, and “The Hateful Eight”.  One movie told almost completely in reverse is “Memento”.  

While some readers or movie viewers are put off by the fact that they have to work to make sense of the narrative, I enjoy piecing the plot together.  It makes for a fun trip through the story and gives a feeling of accomplishment by the tale’s end.  I highly recommend giving some of these books and movies a try and see what you think.   

Plan Ahead

Posted on by
Reply

Outtakes 376

Plan Ahead

By Cait Collins

While I admit to not being an in depth plotter, I do admire those who do spend time plotting out their story.  I’ve known writers who know to the minute when the hero will propose to the heroine.  They have detailed character sketches; know whether the hero will bring roses or gardenias. Will they vacation at the beach or in the mountains? Will the heroine wear Michael Kors or Levi’s?

Timelines stretch across one wall of the office. Sticky notes are moved from one point to the next.  Every move, every word, every decision is meticulously planned. There is no deviation from the first word to “the end”. The story or novel is almost perfect from beginning to end. I do envy those writers.  They know where they are going. They make it work.

On the other hand, I enjoy the times my characters throw a monkey wrench into the plan. So he doesn’t fall madly in love with the heroine.  What’s wrong with them being best friends? That’s a rewrite. But it works for me.

The amount of research and planning that goes into writing a short story may change the amount of time and detail that goes into the preparation. Genre may also change the game plan. The point is each one of us must embrace the method that propels us forward in our writing adventures. It may mean we experiment from time to time. Or try to fly in a different direction to get the job done. The method is not as important as completing the work and being happy with the result.

 

 

PLOT TYPES

Posted on by
Reply

PLOT TYPES

Rory C. Keel

Christopher Booker, in his book The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories, outlines seven types of story plots.

Overcoming the Monster

The protagonist sets out to defeat something that threatens him/her or a group they belong to.

Rags to Riches

A protagonist is in some way misfortune, usually financially. Throughout the story, he/she acquires things such as power, wealth or a love interest.

The Quest

The protagonist sets out to acquire an object or get to a location, facing many obstacles and temptations along the way.

Voyage and Return

The protagonist goes to a strange land and, after overcoming the threats it poses to him or her, returns with experience.

Comedy

A humorous character faces a conflict that becomes more and more confusing but is at last made plain in a single clarifying event.

Tragedy

The protagonist is a hero who makes a mistake that brings about his/her downfall, evoking sympathy.

Rebirth

An important event forces the main character to change his/her ways, often making him/her a better person.

The Perfect Story

Posted on by
Reply

The Perfect Story

Natalie Bright

Generations of parents passed down bits of wisdom to their offspring in the form of stories before he could write those stories down. “Tell Me a Story” gave way to “Read Me A Story”; a long-held family tradition.

The story holds our attention because of conflict. At the core of every story are three basic plots for conflict.

Man against Man

Man against Nature

Man against Himself

The story that holds our attention whether it’s a blockbuster movie or bestselling book, contains a form of all three.