Q: Writers grow a little pale when thinking about plot. They feel constrained about the idea of thinking about plot, they don’t quite understand what it is and why it’s important. So my first question is to have you define plot, and tell us why a writer needs to understand why they need to grasp the concepts and skills of plot for their novel, memoir, screenplay.A: Let me begin by saying that plot and structure are not constraining. Plot and structure actually give a writer the form and …
Goals for You and for Your Characters
Successful writers establish long-term writing goals for themselves and long-term story goals for their protagonists and then set out to complete a series of short-term goals they believe will move them and their characters to success. Goal setting is not always as simple as it sounds. In teaching plot and from the plot consulting work with writers all over the world, I have found that self-professed “pansters” balk at setting goals for both their protagonists and themselves. If you are a …
Character Consistency
Not much into developing character?Confused about what exactly is your character's flaw?Plot Tip:Explore your list of scenes in the beginning quarter of your story.In Scene #2, your protagonist gives up easily and runs away. Where else in the beginning scenes does she give up? In Scene #5 she run away from her problems again. This time, when she stops running, she refuses to give up and determinedly devises up a plan.At this point, ask yourself what depletes your protagonist of her …
Dramatic Action or Character Emotional Development?
Today's plot phone consultation reveals yet again how writers show a preference either for writing about characters over dramatic action or writing about dramatic action over character emotional development.The case in point becomes obvious when I consider what I remember about her story from a 15 minute plot consultation earlier in the year. Back then, the concept of her story qualified as "high concept", the exotic world intriguing and thought-provoking, the journey exciting and full of …
Dramatic Action or Character Emotional Development?Read More
PW Book of Writing Prompts Review and Giveaway
Read How to Get Moving on Your Work in Progress: A Review of The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts by Sue Bradford Edwards on WOW! Women on Writing.While you're at WOW! Women on Writing, enter to win in the 5-Book-Giveaway for The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You WritingNOTE: still time to join me virtually today to Track Your Plot at the Scene Level, a Plot Webinar hosted by the Writers Store at 1pm Pacific.SPECIAL EVENTS:1) Feature …
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