Plot Consultant

Dialogue, Introspection and Narrative, Scene and Summary

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1) Question:What is a good percentage mix of Dialogue, Introspection and Narrative? Is there a good mix, or is it just what fits the story? Suspense romance writer -FloridaAnswerA story unfolds in scene, of course. And, scene is usually made up of dialogue and always action. But the dialogue I'm talking about is dialogue that advances the plot, NOT dialogue that is mere information dumping. Introspection can give insight into the inner workings of the character, but is inherently flat and thus …

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SUBPLOTS

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You know how a recorded voice sounds when the power dies? The words elongate until the sounds becomes one long moan? Well, the writer had not succumb entirely, but her words were hesitant and apologetic. I had consulted on her murder mystery a year or more ago. Then, we had worked primarily on developing a dramatic action plot line that would challenge her protagonist in a transformative way. We had also toyed around a bit about the underlying meaning of the story --thematic significance.She had …

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SECOND DRAFT

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You finish your rough draft. Now what? How do you write an effective second draft of your story rather than just edit what you've already written or simply move words around?I have a few tips.1) Fill out a Scene Tracker for your project. Scenes that fulfill all seven essential elements of plot -- date and setting, character emotional development, is driven by a specific character goal, shows dramatic action, is filled with conflict, tension, suspense or curiosity, shows emotional change within …

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POINT OF NO RETURN

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Livvy asks:On your Blog, under the Plot Consultation page, you have an image of your plot planner which shows The Beginning section of the planner to be disconnected from The Middle section. However, in your book, the plot planner is different and is shown as one fluid line.I know that in one of your DVDs (not in your book), you mentioned that the reason for this is that the end of the Beginning Section is to be considered as the "Point of No Return".Martha answers:I usually talk about the end …

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What do you think when you think plot?

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Kids and teens learn in school that plot is a series of events linked by cause and effect. That definition of makes me think a jewel thief wrote it. Someone dressed in black in a room full of shadows. A lightbulb hangs from the center of the room. She's wearing all black, and chalking out for the others her plot to steal a diamond ring. Step One:Get past the guard at the front door Right off the bat and she is in trouble. HOW does she get by the guard at the door? The character element. If …

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