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We are in the final days of the 4th Annual International Plot Writing Month.Today:
Cause and Effect
Next, reread the hard copy of your manuscript.
Unlike earlier when I had you read your story all the way through in one sitting as a reader or as a member of the audience, this time, I want you to reread your story as many times as you need to until you have answered all the questions raised in each step throughout this re-vision process.
Don't get bogged down in criticism of your writing. Read all the way through just like you wrote it all the way through, one layer at a time.
Concentrate first on the foundation. Take notes directly on your manuscript about any any plot and structure issue that cropped up in any of the prior steps that you plan to address in the next draft you write.
Mark what works.
Insert PostIt notes on the Plot Planner about what needs rewriting. Make your notes detailed enough so when you reach them in your rewrite you remember what you were thinking.
Mark out with a big black X any and all words, paragraphs, and chapters you plan to delete in the next rewrite. Write ideas you wish to add or create in the next go round.
Keep your Plot Planner in front of you as you work your way through your manuscript.
Not until the plot and structure are completely in place do you turn your focus to dialogue, description, tone, authentic details in scene, character motivation, word choices.
In every draft you write, insert what you can about theme. By the last draft, the theme will have revealed itself and appears throughout your story.
Using the master Plot Planner you created, now draw a line from one scene to the next when the scenes are linked by cause and effect. In other words, if the action in one scene causes the action in the next scene, draw a line to connect the two of them. Continue this way through every scene.
Where one scene does not cause the action in the next, do not connect the two scenes with a line. Leave the space between those two scenes blank.
Next, reread the hard copy of your manuscript.
Unlike earlier when I had you read your story all the way through in one sitting as a reader or as a member of the audience, this time, I want you to reread your story as many times as you need to until you have answered all the questions raised in each step throughout this re-vision process.
Don't get bogged down in criticism of your writing. Read all the way through just like you wrote it all the way through, one layer at a time.
Concentrate first on the foundation. Take notes directly on your manuscript about any any plot and structure issue that cropped up in any of the prior steps that you plan to address in the next draft you write.
Mark what works.
Insert PostIt notes on the Plot Planner about what needs rewriting. Make your notes detailed enough so when you reach them in your rewrite you remember what you were thinking.
Mark out with a big black X any and all words, paragraphs, and chapters you plan to delete in the next rewrite. Write ideas you wish to add or create in the next go round.
Keep your Plot Planner in front of you as you work your way through your manuscript.
Not until the plot and structure are completely in place do you turn your focus to dialogue, description, tone, authentic details in scene, character motivation, word choices.
In every draft you write, insert what you can about theme. By the last draft, the theme will have revealed itself and appears throughout your story.
(***Click on the highlighted plot concepts for novel, memoir and screenplay examples and further explanations via video. Each time a concept is referenced you are directed to new information about the Universal Story and plotting a novel, memoir or screenplay.)
To familiarize yourself with the Universal Story and the basic plot terms we use throughout December:
1) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (Now also as a Kindle edition)
2) Watch the Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. A directory of all the steps to the series is to the right of this post. 27-step tutorial on Youtube
3 Watch the Monday Morning Plot Book Group Series on YouTube. A directory the book examples and plot elements discussed is to the left of this post.
For additional tips and information about the Universal Story and plotting a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook
Plot Whisperer on Twitter
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook
Plot Whisperer on Twitter
