4th Annual Plot Writing Month ~~ Day Thirty-one

Today marks the final day of the 4th Annual International Plot Writing Month also known as PostNaNoPlotPerfection aka PlotWriMo for writers intent on crafting a story that is pleasing to the reader and perhaps on finding a bit of enlightenment along the way.

Thank you for visiting and following along. I'm pleased to hear the information has helped so many of you prepare for your next rewrite and that you're confident and ready to begin writing in the new year.

Tonight after all the festivities of saying goodbye to '11 and greeting '12, before you fall asleep, see yourself tomorrow going through each step of the writing ritual you imagined for yourself during yesterday's assignments. Really see yourself writing, for even longer than the time you scheduled. Ask the "powers that be" to help support your efforts in the morning and to show you in ways that only the great beyond is able to that you have been heard...

If you fell behind on the re"vision" of the overall plot arc of your novel, memoir, screenplay or simply wish to follow along with the International Plot Writing Month anytime of the year you wish, click HERE.

If you wish to deepen your understanding of the Universal Story and learn how it assists you in writing a novel, memoir, screenplay, click HERE.

If you wish to deepen your plot at the scene level, click HERE.

Continue to visit here for inspiration as I unwind from plot consultations and comment on the problems writers confront in their process and offer tips to keep going.

My intention is and always has been to help support writers to keep at the business of writing.

May all your dreams come true next year...

(***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

2011 PlotWriMo ~~ Think Different

Tomorrow begins International Plot Writing Month and you are joyfully invited! Visit the Plot Whisperer blog here everyday beginning Thursday the 1st and throughout December.

PlotWriMo, also affectionally known as PostNaNoPlotPerfection, came about three years thanks to friend and short story writer Mary Eastham who had successfully completed NaNoWriMo and was left with -- what do I do now?

Every December for the past three years the Plot Whisperer blog has been dedicated to answering that question for NaNoWriMo writers everywhere.

This year is a bit different.

Feedback from writers about the The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master has inspired me to dedicate 2011 PlotWriMo to women writers everywhere resurrecting her dreams. Seems the book not only guides writers through creating a compelling plot for novels, memoirs and screenplays, the Plot Whisperer book also acts as a catalyst to women who have stopped writing though never forgotten the dream.

I am passionate about women's voices coming to the fore. Our left-brained, logical and linear world of today deserves the balance that can only come when paired equally with a right-brained, holistic and intuitive approach. Women hold that key.

While going through the steps during PlotWriMo, remember that most of the major works that have influenced your thinking have come primarily from a patriarchal point of view about women and our roles and expectations. Therefore, dig deep. Think different.

All this likely sounds like challenging work to the very writers I hope to inspire. Many women writers find plot and structure counter-intuitive... until seen through the Universal Story.

I get ahead of myself here.

All that for December...

See you tomorrow!

To familiarize yourself with the Universal Story and the basic plot terms we'll be using throughout December:

1) 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

2) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (Now also sold as a Kindle edition)

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

PlotWriMo: A Gift a Day throughout December

I learned about a family oversight from my niece Shreve Stockton, founder and author of The Daily Coyote. My 91-year-old mother never had her own advent calendar. When I was a kid, she cut and decorated advent boards for my three siblings and me and hung tiny gifts from hooks, one for each day until Christmas. When my sisters grew up and had their own families, they made and decorated advent boards for their children every year but never one for my mom... until this year. The delight in her voice is like a warm hug as she describes the gifts dangling in front of her and tempting her these last couple of days before the big day -- December 1st and start of the fun.

Imagine this blog during December as an advent board I cut and decorated just for you and ladened with an everyday shiny new gift taking you deeper into your story and yourself.

No peeking until the big day -- December 1st and PlotWriMo begins.

To familiarize yourself with the Universal Story and the basic plot terms we'll be using throughout December:

1) 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

2) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (Now also sold as a Kindle edition)

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

Monday Morning Plot Book Group -- the Climax Scene

How do you do endings? Do you put forth effort all the way to the very end? Do you give up before you reach the end? Do you throw something together just to have an end? Do you push yourself even harder to finish with a flourish? Do you stay in the moment of writing your story all the way to the end?

The countdown to the end of NaNoWriMo has started. Soon you'll have to remember your life before nanowrimo but for now, you've still got time to write a lot more words. Every word nearer you write to the end, the better off you'll be next month when we start in on PlotWriMo.

Because of PlotWriMo, there will be no Monday Morning Plot Book Group during December. We will reconvene in January. (NOTE: I did say in today's video that we'd likely make The Secret Garden the January selection. Read the POST for an explanation why we are NOT using The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett... what fails as a climax scene, and why I gave a novel I remember as a favorite when I was a kid a 1-star out of a possible 5 on Goodreads)

November's book selection for Monday Morning Plot Book Group for Writers is

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

The Alchemist has sold more than 65 million copies in 150 countries and been translated into 60 languages. I use Coelho's story to demonstrate some of the plot techniques from the Universal Story he used so effectively that his novel continues after nearly 30 years as an international bestselling phenomenon.

I chose Coelho's novel because his story inspires me and had a direct impact on The Plot Whisperer book. Watch how he creates the Climax of his novel.

For more support about the Climax scene:
1) Check out Chapter 11 of:

The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (Now also sold as a Kindle edition)

2) Watch:

The Beginning of the End

Thematic Significance

Develop the Scene Sequence to Climax

How to Write the Climax

Resolution

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit 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.

For more tips about how to use plot and the Universal Story in your novel, memoir or screenplay, read: The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

See the Crisis for What it is and Keep Writing

I'm trying something new today -- embedding the new video in the Plot Book Group Series in this blog post. It's a first for me. We'll see how it works.

(P.S. -- A big reason I'm talking about the Crisis today is because it's that time in November for Nanowrimo writers to be writing the Crisis.

In order to have a solid beginning, middle and end by November's end, write the Crisis today and tomorrow...)

For more support about the Crisis and highest point in the entire story so far:

1) Check out Chapter 10 of: The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (Available as a Kindle edition)

2) Watch:

• How to Write a Crisis scene

For more about writing the Middle of your novel, memoir, screenplay:
• Rediscovered Skills and Knowledge in the MIddle
• Cause and Effect in the Middle (using The Help by Kathryn Stockett)
• Character Emotion and Thematic Significance
• Creating Conflict & Tension in Preparation for Crisis
• Developing Threshold Scene after Crisis

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit 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.

For more tips about how to use plot and the Universal Story in your novel, memoir or screenplay, visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

When the Climax Fails, the Reader Suffers

In preparing for a plot talk for children's writers and the SCBWI San Francisco/South region last Saturday, I analyzed one of my favorite books from my childhood -- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

As I read and plotted out the scenes in the Beginning of the story, I was delighted to see all the effective foreshadowing (in 2 instances she shows Mary, the 10-year old protagonist, playing in dirt and attempting to plant cut flowers which foreshadows the passion she develops for the secret garden. She also foreshadows the presence of another child in the house with the sound of crying three times before Mary actually discovers the cause of the distressing sound.).

In the middle, relationships abound which is thematically rich in that Mary has never had a true and loving relationship with others and in order to become who she is meant to be, she must heal this divide. Each relationship becomes a subplot in the middle which is exactly where subplots belong.

Also in the middle, whenever the story seems to slow down or her circumstances become too ideal, there are plenty of plot twists thrown in which makes for an exciting read.

However... and this is an enormous however, the End of the story made me want to fling the book across the room and declare that the book is no longer a favorite of mine.

The energy of the story rises to a climax and thus, stays true to the needs of the Universal Story BUT is not at all satisfying in that the reader is committed to Mary's story and yet, as soon as she helps Colin -- the only son of the lord of the manor -- heal and become whole, she moves into the shadows never to be heard from again. The last 1/4 of the book becomes all about Colin.

This is not so surprising, when one considers that the book was published in 1911 (women's right to vote doesn't happen until 1920) and girls didn't have many options. Still... there is absolutely no climax OR resolution for Mary's plot line and thus, no resolution for all the young girls who love(d) this book.

In analyzing this book, I consider the impact the story must have had on me as a young girl. Though I read the book in the 50s or early 60s, my generation continued to have limited options -- nurse, teacher, secretary, mother...

Now, a young girl's options are limitless. She can be a leader, an artist, a visionary, an entrepreneur.

Please, when considering your story, reach, think different, stretch when it comes to writing the Climax of your story. Write lots of endings, push yourself to think outside the box, and then pick the one that feels thematically the strongest version.

Your protagonist's actions at the climax inspire the reader to think big and different and grow and evolve. Give the ending the time it needs and deserves to deliver the greatest impact.

For more support about the Climax and ending of your story:

1) Check out Chapter 11 & 12 of: The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (Also available as a Kindle edition)

2) Watch:

• How to Create a Climax
• The Climax using in Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

For more about the Universal Story and writing the end of a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit 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. (a directory of the Plot Book Group with specific stories as examples is to the left of this post. Scroll down a bit to find it)

For more tips about how to use plot and the Universal Story in your novel, memoir or screenplay, visit:

Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Check-point for NaNoWriMo Writers -- Recommitment Scene

In life and in stories, every moment is an opportunity to commit to moving forward. To continue to put one word after another deeper and deeper into the great unknown takes courage. To persevere when the primary plot gets tangled in subplots and plot twists and your story appears lost signifies a commitment that transcends logic and demonstrates a belief in the magic and mystery and miracle of the pull of the Universal Story.

You have found the courage to not only begin writing but to continue. Now, comes the time for both you and your protagonist to state and commit to her/your goal(s) at the halfway point of the Universal Story. When you/she does, you/she feels the energy in your/her life rise in significance. This energetic surge is a warning to the reader.

Wake up.

Be alert.

A crisis is coming.

Powerful antagonists leap in, and she/you quickly find her/yourself under siege, pummeled by forces intent on preventing her/your success. The energy of the story fills with more conflict, tension, suspense, and/or curiosity in every scene.

You have discovered that the energy of the Universal Story does not cease at thresholds. Instead, the energy of your story, of your life, of your world heightens. You have also discovered that the longer you dally at any barrier, the longer it takes to achieve your dreams.

• Thrust yourself forward.
• Send the protagonist on her way.
• You are not alone.
• The Universal Story will assist you

Excerpts from the above come from The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master.

For more support about the 2nd Energetic Marker and Recommitment scene for both you as a

writer and for your protagonist:

1) Check out Chapter 8 of: The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (Also available as a Kindle edition)

2) Watch:

• Plotting the Recommitment Scene
• Recommitment Scene in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

For more about writing the Middle of your novel, memoir, screenplay:

• Goal for the Middle
• Antagonists in the Middle
• Developing the Exotic World in the Middle
• Determine the Beginning, Middle, End of your Story using Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
• Energetic Markers using Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit 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.

For more tips about how to use plot and the Universal Story in your novel, memoir or screenplay, visit:

Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Plot for Pantsers

Question via Twitter:
@plotwhisperer So what's the best way to plot as you write for those of us who are pantsers but need to meet deadlines? :) @JillKentAuthor Jillian Kent

Answer via Blogger:
Your query is a bit like hearing two non-harmonious sounds clash together -- Plot and Pansters.

1) Every story, whether written by a plotter or a pantser, must fulfill basic needs demanded by a reader -- something must happen (dramatic action plot) to someone (character emotional plot) in a meaningful way (thematic plot) = PLOT -- the noun. Thus, whether you plan it out ahead of time or write to discover as you go, your ultimate goal is to fulfill these basic requirement.

My first suggestion requires discipline so I am reluctant to use it. Somewhere along the line in history, discipline went from having at its core disciple to being a form of punishment. "You will be disciplined for breaking the rules."

So instead, why not apply the word ritual to what I suggest. Create for yourself a sacred ritual.

One time a day, everyday, preferably at the same time and place every session, write.

Another time of day, everyday, preferably at the same time and place every session study plot.

If you're a pantser, you'll like balk at lots of what you read both for how the information is presented and for the information itself. Lots of it will feel confusing and jarring, counter-intuitive.

Search for doors you're drawn to open when it comes to the new plot ideas. Explore the concepts. Look for them in your favorite books. Determine what authors you admire do to create in you admiration for their writing. The more you understand basic plot and structure based on the Universal Story, the more inclined you may become to plot -- the verb.

The more you understand the Universal Story, the less blind you fly. You're able to anticipate where your writing is taking you and take an active role in coaxing what comes into a pleasing form for the reader.

(Disclosure: the following is a shameful act of taking advantage of the sincere query above)
I wrote The Plot Whisperer book for women just like you, Jillian. Lots of my very best friends and family are right-brain, big picture creative, female pantser. Women who fly by the seat of their pants as they are constantly attempting to bring to material form the whimsy their imaginations whisper. I wrote the book for them and for you...

For more support about plot:

***I am giving away 4 free autographed copies of the book AND

and a Scene Tracker Kit.

To enter, simply comment on each of fourteen blogs that took part in the mega-blog book tour

and listed on the Master Schedule. As one writer says of the experience: "I feel like I just took in a 2 hour writing workshop in a few minutes." (when you have accomplished this feat, send me an email with your snail mail address and I'll ship your plot tools)

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit 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.

For more tips about how to use plot and the Universal Story in your novel, memoir or screenplay, read: The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Secondary Characters Support Protagonist's Emotional Development

Secondary characters create depth in a novel, memoir, screenplay when they tie-into and support the development of the primary character (better understood as the protagonist's character emotional development).

A writer develops a secondary character based on patients he worked with in a previous day job. He has terrific authentic details, having spent so much time with one particular patient with special needs. The character (who is the protagonist's brother) is of great emotional importance to the protagonist. (The writer is writing what has long been espoused as a good practice for writers ~~ write what you know.)

The writer's front story (dramatic action plot) centers around drugs and money laundering and shady operations, guns and prison and betrayal. His writing strength appears to be developing dramatic action. When asked who his audience is, the writer has not yet considered such. The front story is high-stakes, exciting intrigue, which often resonates with male readers. Yet the protagonist is a woman. She is a "ballsy" woman to be sure, confident and fearless.

When asked how much of his story he wants to involve the other two plot lines ~~ character emotional development (which, at this point, is little, if at all, developed) and thematic significance, again he had no answers. Same reaction in response to whether he plans to include a romantic secondary plot line in his story.

I did not present these questions to baffle him or slow him down. I presented these questions to support him in broadening his scope of what he is doing both in his story and in his life as a writer...

He introduced and developed the secondary character in order to bring heart to the protagonist's character and thus, develop her character emotional development plot. Yet, because he is writing what he knows about patients with special needs, he concentrated on describing the secondary character's behavior without tying those elements directly to the protagonist or give the reader a sense of the impact those behaviors have on the protagonist and even more importantly, how those behaviors influenced the protagonist's backstory development.

Because the secondary character having special needs does not play into the dramatic action plot (in other words, such afflictions are not necessary for the development of the primary plot), I suggest that rather than devote so much time to the development of the secondary character, use his afflictions to deepen the readers understanding and appreciation of the protagonist instead. Her backstory wound of being ignored by her parents in favor of attending to the brother's special needs, bleeds into her everyday life in undercover as she is betrayed by not only the bad guys but the good guys, too.

For more support about the role of Secondary Characters in novels, memoirs, and screenplays:
1) Check out Chapter 6 of:The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (Now also sold as a Kindle edition)

2) Watch:

Secondary Plots and Subplots
Antagonists in the Middle

***I am giving away 4 free autographed copies of the book AND

and a Scene Tracker Kit.

To enter, simply comment on each of fourteen blogs that took part in the mega-blog book tour

and listed on the Master Schedule. As one writer says of the experience: "I feel like I just took in a 2 hour writing workshop in a few minutes." (when you have accomplished this feat, send me an email with your snail mail address and I'll ship your plot tools)

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit 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.

For more tips about how to use plot and the Universal Story in your novel, memoir or screenplay, read: The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Monday Morning Plot Book Group -- End of the Beginning Scene

If you are participating in NaNoWriMo, this blog post is of special interest to you because it falls on the day you need to be writing the End of the Beginning scene in your story to stay on schedule and complete your entire novel, memoir, screenplay by the last day of November. (To learn how to pre-plot your writing time and ensure you end the month of November with a solid beginning, middle and end to your story. To read more...)

November's book selection for Monday Morning Plot Book Group for Writers is

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

The Alchemist has sold more than 65 million copies in 150 countries and been translated into 60 languages. I use Coelho's story to demonstrate some of the plot techniques from the Universal Story he used so effectively that his novel continues after nearly 30 years as an international bestselling phenomenon.

I chose Coelho's novel because his story inspires me and had a direct impact on The Plot Whisperer book.

Last week -- 1G you are asked to: Insert on your story's Plot Planner a post-it note that represents the Climax of your story.

This week -- 1H, you are asked to: Insert on your story's Plot Planner a post-it note that represents the End of the Beginning scene of your story.

For more support about the End of the Beginning scene:
1) Check out Chapter 8 of:

The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (Now also sold as a Kindle edition)

2) Watch:

Plotting the Beginning
Energy Anatomy of Stories

***I am giving away 4 free autographed copies of the book AND

and a Scene Tracker Kit.

To enter, simply comment on each of fourteen blogs that took part in the mega-blog book tour

and listed on the Master Schedule. As one writer says of the experience: "I feel like I just took in a 2 hour writing workshop in a few minutes."

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit 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.

For more tips about how to use plot and the Universal Story in your novel, memoir or screenplay, read: The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Plot the Beginning of Your Novel, Memoir, Screenplay

Take a moment to assess where you are in writing your story now that you're 4 days into NaNoWriMo.

To ensure that you stay on track and write a solid beginning, middle and end by the end of November, stand back from your writing for a minute and consider the following.

Tuesday marks the day you and your protagonist enter the exotic world.

Begin opening up to the idea of pulling the beginning together so you're sure to be writing the End of the Beginning scene on Monday.

For support:

Plotting the Beginning
Energy Anatomy of Stories
Plot the Dramatic Plot
Plot the Character Emotional Development Plot
The Three Major Plotlines

***I am giving away 4 free autographed copies of The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master AND

and Scene Tracker Kit (which includes Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple).

To win, simply comment on each of fourteen blogs that took part in the mega-blog book tour

listed on the Master Schedule. As one writer says of the experience: "I feel like I just took in a 2 hour writing workshop in a few minutes."

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit 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.

For more tips about how to use plot and the Universal Story in your novel, memoir or screenplay, read: The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Plot Book Group for Writers

Last month's book selection for the Monday's Plot Book Group for Writers is Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult. (I'm a bit behind due to the mega-blog tour and release of The Plot Whisperer book. My apologies for the delay.)

Last week - 1F- you were asked to:

- Determine the 4 Energetic Markers for your story.

This week - 1G you are asked to:

- Insert on your story's Plot Planner a post-it note that represents the Climax of your story.

For more support about the Climax, check out Chapter 11 of:

The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (Now also sold as a Kindle edition)

Next week's book selection is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

***I am giving away 4 free autographed copies of the book AND

and a Scene Tracker Kit.

To enter, simply comment on each of fourteen blogs that took part in the mega-blog book tour

and listed on the Master Schedule. As one writer says of the experience: "I feel like I just took in a 2 hour writing workshop in a few minutes."

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit 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.

For more tips about how to use plot and the Universal Story in your novel, memoir or screenplay, read: The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Day Ten: 2-Week NaNoWriMo-themed Blog Book Tour for the New Plot Whisperer Book

In celebration of the final day in the two-week blog tour and the successful release of The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master, I am giving away 4 free autographed copies of the book.

To enter, simply comment on each of the three following blogs AND for the book and a Scene Tracker Kit, leave a comment at every single blog on the tour and listed on the Master Schedule below. As one writer says: "I feel like I just took in a 2 hour writing workshop in a few minutes." Drawing happens next week. Time to be determined. Check back for details...

Today The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master is featured at 3 blogs:

*Friday, October 28th
Uma Krishnaswami
I met Uma years ago during a plot consultation. That she teaches writing in the MFA/Writing for Children and YA program of Vermont College of Fine Arts and came to me for plot help thrilled me -- both that she came from such a prestigious literary school and that she came from such a prestigious literary school.

When a new picture book of hers came out, I was honored to host a stop on her blog tour for: Out of the Way! Out of the Way! Hers was only the second blog tour I had had first-hand experience with. The first experience had left an unpleasant feeling when I found out that the piece I had posted on my blog was a generic one she had posted elsewhere.

I wanted to write something about plot, being the plot whisperer and all, but... I couldn't find a plot. I challenged myself and in the process saw deeper into the true energy of the Universal Story. To read my review of her book,

click here.

In her interview with me about the Plot Whisperer book, she once again challenges me about plot...

Linda Joy Myers (President, National Association of Memoir Writers) at Memories and Memoirs
Linda and I met each other years ago through Teresa LeYung Ryan. Linda has always been passionate about teaching wounded people how to use memoir writing as a healing tool. As the women she works with begin to heal, they also get serious about their writing. Linda would lead a procession of car from the San Francisco bay area to my home in Los Gatos bearing the yummiest and gooey-est and still warm chocolate muffins.

Linda always swept in with a spirit of discovery. Because she did, everyone else did, too. Because of Linda's warm and real and accepting embrace, the depth to which we could move into plot and the Universal Story revealed yet another layer.

Debbie Ridpath Ohi
 at Inky Girl
I smile as I write this and, at the same time, I am speechless...

Truly, I am speechless...

Go see for yourself the most incredible, amazing, generous, loving, incredible... did I already say that? I could say it 1000 times more and still not convey the depth of my gratitude to Debbie. What a talent...

*********
Comment to win:
1) Uma Krishnaswami
2) Linda Joy Myers (President, National Association of Memoir Writers) at Memories and Memoirs
3) Debbie Ridpath Ohi
 at Inky Girl
**********

Master Schedule of the 2-week blog tour for the Plot Whisperer book.

For step-by-step guidance into pre-plotting your novel, memoir, screenplay, refer to:
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit the Monday Plot Book Group series (A directory to this 2nd plot series is to the left of this post and scroll down a bit) and visit the first Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. (A directory of all the steps to the 1st plot series is to the right of this post.)
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (for up-to-the-minute news on plot events, giveaways and inspiration)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Day Nine: 2-Week NaNoWriMo-themed Blog Book Tour for the New Plot Whisperer Book

Today The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master is featured:

*Thursday, October 27th
Vivian Lee Mahoney at Consider yourself warned: I write books about rebels (NOTE: just my sort of writer!!)

Interview about the Universal Story. Vivian asks me common mistakes writers make. My answer may surprise you. She covers theme and also asks, just how much tension is too much tension? Lastly, she asks me about my favorite subject -- the Universal Story, not from a writing point of view but what the Universal Story teaches each of us as human beings...

Master Schedule of the 2-week blog tour for the Plot Whisperer book.

For step-by-step guidance into pre-plotting your novel, memoir, screenplay, refer to:
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit the Monday Plot Book Group series (A directory to this 2nd plot series is to the left of this post and scroll down a bit) and visit the first Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. (A directory of all the steps to the 1st plot series is to the right of this post.)
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (for up-to-the-minute news on plot events, giveaways and inspiration)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Day Eight: 2-Week NaNoWriMo-themed Blog Book Tour for the New Plot Whisperer Book

Today The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master is featured at 2 blogs:

*Wednesday, October 26th
Sherrie Petersen at Write About Now: Ramblings from a Fledgling Novelist about Reading, Writing and Life in a Small Town
Plot Interview

AND

Charissa Weaks at A Day in the Life of An Author
Interview with a book giveaway and a free Amazon $15 gift card!

Master Schedule of the 2-week blog tour for the Plot Whisperer book.

For step-by-step guidance into pre-plotting your novel, memoir, screenplay, refer to:
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit the Monday Plot Book Group series (A directory to this 2nd plot series is to the left of this post and scroll down a bit) and visit the first Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. (A directory of all the steps to the 1st plot series is to the right of this post.)
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (for up-to-the-minute news on plot events, giveaways and inspiration)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Day Seven: 2-Week NaNoWriMo-themed Blog Book Tour for the New Plot Whisperer Book

Today The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master is featured at:

*Tuesday, October 25th
Lia Keyes
Lia very kindly asked me to write about how the book helps writers preparing for NaNoWriMo.

• Learn to pre-plot your story from the Plot Whisperer book.
• TODAY on Lia's blog learn how to pre-plot your writing time to ensure you end the month of November with a solid beginning, middle and end to your story. To read more...

Master Schedule of the 2-week blog tour for the Plot Whisperer book.

For step-by-step guidance into pre-plotting your novel, memoir, screenplay, refer to:
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit the Monday Plot Book Group series (A directory to this 2nd plot series is to the left of this post and scroll down a bit) and visit the first Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. (A directory of all the steps to the 1st plot series is to the right of this post.)
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (for up-to-the-minute news on plot events, giveaways and inspiration)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Day Six: 2-Week NaNoWriMo-themed Blog Book Tour for the New Plot Whisperer Book

Today The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master is featured at:

Week Two

*Monday, October 24th
Shreve Stockton at Honey Rock Dawn
As the author of the best-selling memoir, The Daily Coyote, and my very favorite author of all time Shreve shares first-hand experience with my plot techniques and a secret...

****She is offering a free book giveaway.

Master Schedule of the 2-week blog tour for the Plot Whisperer book.

For step-by-step guidance into pre-plotting your novel, memoir, screenplay, refer to:
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit the Monday Plot Book Group series (A directory to this 2nd plot series is to the left of this post and scroll down a bit) and visit the first Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. (A directory of all the steps to the 1st plot series is to the right of this post.)
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (for up-to-the-minute news on plot events, giveaways and inspiration)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Book Launch Party

Last week, after seeing The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master blog touroff to a great start, I introduced the new book to a packed house at my local bookstore: Capitola Book Cafe. One estimate had it at 150 people (truly humbling) two of whom were young girls with their mothers.

As some of you know, my dream is to stand toe-to-toe with the big boys who current reign supreme in the plot world. I want to represent plot from a woman's pov and balance the discussion...

I was thrilled when I was writing the book and my editor never even blinked when I used "she" as the generic reference rather than "he" throughout the book.

I lovingly and predominately showcase women's fiction and women writers. 

That two young girls may read the book while they are still young makes me dreamy and giddy at the same time. Dreamy about the stories those girls will write and giddy about our future as more and more young girls and women find and write their truths. Not the truths we were brought up to believe but our own individual true and creative selves as women and mothers and daughters and wives and sisters and friends.

One of the greatest thrills of the book talk -- besides the 150 people who attended (thank you! I hope soon to have pictures to share) -- came hours after the actual event. Way past midnight, the house quiet and the moon (visions and dreams) bright, I check in on the blog tour and then sweep through the social media and stumble upon a list of tweets  where @plotwhisperer is mentioned several times by the same person with the same Twitter icon for each tweet in the sequence.

A woman and writer in the audience tweeted about the event in real time. I had the chance to review the night through her list of tweets. 

I don't know but something tickles me about that -- live, social commentary.

This has been an amazing week. 

Thank you for coming along on the whistle stop book tour. At least 4, perhaps 5? books were given away last week. I'm hoping for as many or more in this next week beginning on Monday and running everyday through Friday. 

I hope to announce a surprise blogger on Monday who will compliment Shreve's stop and share with you my two favorite writers of all time.

Master Schedule of the 2-week blog tour for the Plot Whisperer book.

For step-by-step guidance into pre-plotting your novel, memoir, screenplay, refer to:
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit the Monday Plot Book Group series (A directory to this 2nd plot series is to the left of this post and scroll down a bit) and visit the first Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. (A directory of all the steps to the 1st plot series is to the right of this post.)
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (for up-to-the-minute news on plot events, giveaways and inspiration)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter