[[As promised last week, this is a continuation of Process posts while
we’re moving.]]
First, a few words on actual
structure. I'm coming at this from a mystery writer's perspective, so my notes
and sources are generally skewed in that direction.
For physical structure, I like to
use the W plot. Kris Neri first introduced this to me, but many writers use it.
It's very hard to find a good picture of it, but this site (http://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/w-plot.html)
includes two fairly good samples. This one has a simple example near the end of
the page (http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/columns/virtually02apr01.html
).For mystery fiction, it's
useful to put one more hump in it. Point A starts at the top left, B is the
bottom of the first downstroke, then C is up, D is down (but not as far down as
B), E is up (but not as far up as C), F is way down, and G finishes with a big
upstroke.
A: Begin and immediately start a
struggle for your protagonist
B: Pull the rug out from under
her
C: Allow her some progress toward
her goal
D: Give her a hurdle and make her
think that her goal will be in sight once she leaps it
E: Move her close, but then make
things worse
F: This is the low point of her
struggle, she despairs that she will ever reach her goal
G: She finds a way to prevail
This works for a broad overview
of the plot. You can also use one for each subplot and plan where they'll
overlap and/or intersect.
I like to brainstorm with myself
a bit and set up plot points. If I can end up with at least 12, I distribute
them into Act I, Act IIA, Act IIB, and Act III. If I can work from point to
point, putting at least 5400 words between points, I know I'll end up with a
65,000 word novel on first draft. From there, I usually layer in some texture.
I revisit dialog and description, and try to put as many of the 5 senses into
each scene as I can. I make sure each scene has a goal, conflict, and
resolution. That last should lead to another goal set up to keep the story
going.
Sounds simple, but the plot
points tend to morph during writing. Some don't work out, others have to be
added, always paying attention to the ebb and flow of action that some call
scene and sequel. Character refuse to play the role you've assigned to them,
and other characters pop up unbidden and interrupt things. Yikes! How did I
ever write a novel?
So, I guess, it's complicated.
I'm open to suggestions on how to plot here! It's good to see how others do it.
To prepare this blog, I googled
around and found some sources new to me. These folks have some good thoughts on
plotting for fiction:
Here's a fun one:
xoxo… printing.
ReplyDeletexoxo back atcha!
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