#1 Plot Problem for Writers

I am often asked what the #1 problem writers have with plot. My answer varies, depending on the most recent plot consultation or plot workshop I've just done.

Today I say as I have before, the #1 plot problem writers struggle with is the climax and resolution.

So much time and thought and writing goes into developing a compelling protagonist with a mysterious back story, deciding where is the exact right beginning of the story, how to make the action exciting and the book concept big, the details just right, the dialogue snappy, the setting exotic, the crisis disastrous.

I rarely (and I mean rarely) find a writer who has thoroughly thought out the climax and written the end quarter of the story as many times or more than the beginning.

Sure, writers bog down in the middle and thus the climax seems incredibly far away -- nearly out of reach. By the time a writer limps her way to the climax, the story is lucky to have an ending at all, much less an ending that is meaningful and different and leaves the reader satisfied and wanting more.

The end of a romance novel, even if it is for a teen, especially if it is for a teen, is so much more than... they lived happily ever after. You have been so careful not to use cliched phrases, metaphors, settings and have worked to make every element uniquely your own. Why settle for a cliched ending?

When a character rises in triumph at the climax. What does she look like, act like? In the resolution, what does the world look like now that she is new and different and transformed and has shared the gift she came to share?

Everyone is looking for answers. Stories offer a new vision to replace the old, especially now that so much of the old world order falls apart.

Take an ending you're sure has no value and turn it on its ear. See the ending from a different angle or perspective. Write that.

Strive to give the reader something new and fresh and miraculous...

To familiarize yourself with the Universal Story and the basic plot terms in the above blog post:

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

Is Plot Destroying the World?

Benjamen Walker interviewed me today about plot for his radio show. (I'll share the interview link when I receive it from Benjamen.)

On his playlist and archives list for his show's Too Much Information page on the internet, he states that "in a world where everyone shares the truth 140 characters at a time, telling tales might be the most honest thing to do."

I love that.

During the interview, he goes on to say that he believes plot is destroying the world. Those may not have been his exact words. Next time I'm interviewed (and I hope I am interviewed again and often. I love radio interviews. Truth is, I loved Benjamen's passion and enthusiasm), I'll take notes to share here with you.

I think his dire belief in the evils of plot centers around those dramatic-action driven movies and books that are devoid of character emotional development and meaning are destroying the world. I agree with him.

Stories have the potential to change the reader. That potential is lost when the emotional truth that comes only through the character is left out. It's like showing violence without showing the effects of violence on the true human experience.

Yes, straight dramatic action stories sell well (I address this in the first comment during the day I spent on Red Jungle Writers blog -- shared by 8 smart and sassy crime writers -- hosted by Hallie Ephron who very generously interviewed me about my new book and shared her readers with me.

During my interview with Benjamen, I shared with him my fervent belief that plot is much more than dramatic action alone and that anyone who abuses plot misses a valuable opportunity to reach readers through feeling characters shown in a meaningful way.

I'm eager and curious to listen to his show and learn what he did with all the words we generated during our time together....

To familiarize yourself with the Universal Story and the basic plot terms in the above blog post:

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

Benefits of a Plot Planner

With a sheet of banner paper unfurled in front of me, I begin asking questions of a writer with a very successful first book who needs help with her second. Her problem? Not uncommon ~ years and years of working on the first book, layer upon layer, input, changes, rewrites, drafts and drafts, enough to make a writer wonder:

"How did I do it? And how will I ever be able to do it again? Only faster this time?"

Ideas rolling around in her head begin to tumble out.

Characters emerge, flaws and all. Setting is established. Some of the middle of the middle "new world" ideas provide stimulus for scenes. Anatgonists appear. The Crisis comes into view. The Climax is a bit murkier but enough of a promise to get her started.

By the end of a couple of hours, the Plot Planner reveals a linear sequencing of scenes for the writer to write and, with luck, end the Beginning with a bang. Even enough to trot into the MIddle and perhaps to finish a rough, rough first draft, providing she does not fall prey to the monsterous going-back-to-the-beginning syndrome.

The Plot Planner provides form and structure enough to tame chaos and bring meaning to all the ideas rolling around in a writer's head. I'll be curious to learn how far she gets with what we were able to do in a couple of hours.

To learn step-by-step how to build a Plot Planner for your own novel, memoir, screenplay, refer to The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (Also available as a Kindle and Nook edition).

For an idea of what you'll find in the book:

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Chapter One: Sitting Down to Write

Part I: The Outline of the Plot: Starting Is Half the Battle
Chapter Two: The Universal Story
Chapter Three: The Basics of Plotting
Chapter Four: Developing Themes

Part II: Create the Characters and Setting: Who’s Part of This World and Why?
Chapter Five: Who Inhabits the Plot?
Chapter Six: Who Opposes the Protagonist?
Chapter Seven: The Devil’s in the Details

Part II : The Journey
Chapter Eight: Opening the Door
Chapter Nine: The Middle of the Journey
Chapter Ten: Transformation
Chapter Eleven: The Climax
Chapter Twelve Denouement: The End and a New Beginning
Chapter Thirteen: Some Parting Advice
Chapter Fourteen: Some Final Thoughts

P.S. Send me a photo of the Plot Planner you create so I can share it with other writers. (To see a couple of working Plot Planners, go to my Twitter page.)

Cautionary Tale: You're Eventually Going to Have to Write the Climax

I've consulted several times with a writer of a successful non-fiction book by a major publisher and who also has written off-and-on for a few years a young adult historical novel. From time-to-time we spend a couple of hours together working out the overall plot.

After spending quality time writing the Beginning of her winning story, she wins attention in literary contests and the interest of editors.

Each time she receives feedback about the Beginning of her story, she goes back into the beginning, moves scenes around, further develops the protagonist's backstory and perfects the thematic details. Periodically, she calls for another plot consultations. Although she wishes only to concentrate on the earlier sections of the story, nonetheless, I gently probe for the Climax of her story. Her ideas are vague, at best.

Editors begin asking for more than the Beginning of the story. Again I hear from her. We concentrate on the Middle, while keeping the End and especially the Climax in sight at all times. Still, she resists, unable to get herself there.

She is asked for the entire manuscript by an editor and scrambles to finish the story. When she reaches the Climax she writes it like she dealt with it in the consultations -- vague. I hear from her again.

Again, although she calls expressly to talk about the End of her story, we rarely touch on the Climax. Instead, she dances around the story, coming up with all sorts of ideas for new subplots or to switch up a subplot already written.

I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to be on the other end of the phone with someone who is so near to the prize and yet be completely unable to focus on the necessary steps to get there. If we were together in person, I'd... what? Grab her by the shoulders and shake her? Force her to stare at the Climax on the Plot Planner until her eyes cleared?

No answers.

She's so near. Her story is so ready for and deserving of the crowning glory -- the Climax.

Lesson?

Beginning hook readers.

Endings attract fans... (and editors...)

(***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 in the above blog post:

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