27-Step Plot Tutorial: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay?

The first day of filming the 27-Step Plot Tutorial: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? Youtube series was September 2010.

I remember putting that 1st video up on Youtube, mortified by the yapping dog in the background and well-aware of how distracting for viewers who struggle to mask out background interference. Still, I knew if I didn't put up the video, flaws and all, I'd be waiting for perfection forever.

Fire ahead four light-years filled with growth for the series, me as the Plot Whisperer and personally. On the anniversary of that first video, the number of views on Plot Whisperer Youtube channel crossed over 200,000.

My birthday present to the series and to you and writers everywhere is a spruced up version of the series. The 27 steps remain the same. This time, no distractions + one plotting exercise per a video.

For more about the what's happening with the series:
27-Step Plot Tutorial: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay?

Thank you for your patience as I re-film the series. In the meantime, for help plotting your novel, memoir, screenplay, read the Plot Whisperer books: 

• The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master offers plotting concepts, examples, and insight into your part as the writer  
• The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories Easy Exercises is filled with plotting templates and exercises  
• The Plot Whisperer Book of Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing (a Story with Plot from Beginning to End) for prompts what to write where for a story with a plot.

I recommend writers writing for all ages watch How to Write a Sell a Picture Book with a Plot. Picture books are without subplots, thus allowing the primary plot lines to shine through. Try the exercises.

Or try another in the Plot Video Workshops Series ~~ PlotWriMo: Revise Your Novel in a Month ~~ 8 videos  (5.5 hours)  + 30 exercises

Join the Facebook group and ask questions that come up in either series and share your progress.

Today I write!

Happy New Year!

I appreciate each of you who showed up for the 6th Annual PlotWriMo. International Plot Writing Month began as plot support for writers coming out of the generative stupor of an intense month-long NaNoWriMo.

We used the Plot Planner as a place to help you balance your intuitive impressions of your story with an equal counterforce: logic. The exercises were intended as pathways to a deepened understanding of your story and all plot levels:

• Thematic Significance 
• Dramatic Action
• Character Emotional Development 
• Cause and Effect 
• Antagonists
• Setting 
• Subplots 
• Secondary Characters 
• Beginning, Middle, End 
• Scene Development
• Tension and Suspense

*****Time is running out to sign-up with literary agent Jill Corcoran and me for the 1st ever online, live Plot Whisperer Workbook Workshops evening chats beginning next Tuesday (1/7/14) from 5:45pm Pacific to 8pm for four weeks in January. A few spaces available in the evening. One left beginning 1/9 in the am.

If you benefit from:
1) being held accountable
2) receiving constructive feedback on your plot and concept
3) learning from other writers
join us and continue to deepen your plot and your understanding of your story concept with a comp analysis -- all ages, all genres, characters.

The "So-What" Test

"Does it pass the "so what" test? Do I really have something that's important enough to put down on paper? I want to get a handle on this plot and see if the plot's worth investing in."

Difficult to answer until we proceed deeper into the consultation.

She's frustrated because she's tried everything in the The Plot Whisperer books -- slapping up banner paper on the wall, buying post-it notes of all colors, creating a plot planner and every time she attempts to plot out the story, she has to keep changing everything. She's already invested so much time and is pretty sure the plot isn't worthy enough, so why bother?

First, the time she spent pre-plotting her story developed into, in my estimation, a terrific middle grade plot with likable characters, good tension and conflict, a worthy character arc and powerful thematic potential (development of this potential gives this story great promise).

Second, writing is an act of discovery. Yes, a pre-plot is helpful and yes, developing a pre-plot can take time. Writing is an act of creation. No matter how much or little time you spend pre-plotting, the words you write determine the outcome. Let me say that again: the words you write determine the outcome.

"What has been zapping my energy is until you get the Universal Story right your story fizzles."

What I hear over the course of the plot consultation is what's zapping her energy is her fear that she's going to waste her time with an unworthy story. That what her imagination has created isn't good enough. That she isn't good enough.

Writing is an act of discovery. Write the story and see what happens. You'll discover lots of things about yourself and your story. Trust that you're worth the time and effort to write a story with a plot from beginning to end.

***Win a free The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories Sign up HERE.

***For help writing the 2 toughest scenes of your story, join me from the comfort of your home for this 1 1/2hour plot webinar hosted by The Writers Store: Writing Strong Crisis and Climax Scenes: The Two Keys to Screenplays That Connect with Audiences (and Hollywood)

***4 Virtual Plot Intensives begin January 2014 to get you writing smarter and faster and more joyfully with a deeper understanding of plot. Plot Whisperer Workbook Workshops  
~~~~~

Take the PLOTWRIMO Pre-Challenge:

You have 3 weeks, 5 days and 19 hours to get a draft written in time for PlotWriMo. Beginning December 1st, follow the exercises on the Plot Whisperer blog to re"vision" and redefine the plot arc of your story. PlotWriMo is custom designed to ensure your success even during the busiest time of the year.

Begin 2014 ready for a powerful rewrite.
~~~~~
The following resources support you in your pre-challenge:
1) Plot your story step-by-step with the help of The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories

2) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
named BEST BOOKS FOR WRITERS by Poets and Writers. The author provides insight on how to create works of fiction with powerful stories and focuses on how to devise a Universal Plot, plot lines and subplots, compelling scenes, and character transformation.
 
3) Refer to The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing for writing prompts for scene #1 to the very The End, one prompt at a time.
4) Watch the Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. Scroll down on the left of this post for a directory of all the steps to the series. 27-step tutorial on Youtube
5) Watch the Monday Morning Plot Book Group Series on YouTube. Scroll down on the right of this post for a directory the book examples and plot elements discussed.
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 Whisperer on Pinterest 

***** Knowing what to write where in a story with a plot reinforces daily writing practice and allows for more productivity in your writing. Whether writing a first draft or revising, if you falter wondering what comes next in a story with a plot, follow the prompts in The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing.

Today, I write.

How to Write in the Zone for a Fast Draft

One of the greatest predictors of successfully pre-plotting and writing a novel or memoir in a month is the ability to write in the zone. When you’re in the flow of your writing, words and ideas come to you effortlessly. You don’t second-guess yourself. You’re not timid and paranoid about your ability to persevere.

Writing fast encourages writing the zone. Lose yourself for one month and then you’re free for the rest of your life with an entire first draft of your story to shape. (Join me December 1st for PlotWriMo to re-vision your words into a story with a plot.)

Being in the zone means your ego-driven mind disappears, your mind quiets and your imagination is free to flow onto the page. Your awareness shifts from your fears and worries, your to-do lists and the who-do-I-think-I-am-to-take-all-this-time-to-write-a-story? stories in your mind and your negative beliefs about your writing. No longer in the cramped and squeezed space under a heavy burden, writing in the zone means giving your story your complete and full concentration and attention.

The more challenging your writing, the more energized and focused and emotionally gratified by your writing you become. When you’re in the zone whether for hours or for minutes, the quality and intensity of the writing are at their greatest and you write mostly by feel and intuition and heart.

17 Tips for Slipping into and Staying in the Zone
1) Regular exercise
2) Good diet Plenty of sleep
3) Drink lots of water
4) Establish a daily writing routine
5) Clear an entire month on your calendar -- no appointments or errands or outside demands (as much as possible)
6) Give yourself a clear and realistic daily writing goal -- push yourself to write longer every day 7) Decide where and when you’ll write daily with a minimum of distractions and interruptions.
7) Every thirty minutes stand up and stretch and breath deeply. Then sit down to write again
8) Give yourself at least a half an hour to get into the flow. Then, if you find your energy slipping switch to writing the next scene (If you’re stumped about what scene to write next, refer to The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing (all the way to the end).
9) Keep your pre-plot Plot Planner in sight and often refer to the handy guide.
10) Take risks with your writing. Be bold. Stretch yourself in your daily practice and continue studying the craft of writing.
11) Acknowledge when a limiting belief swamps your mind and ask yourself what you are most afraid of. Ask yourself what your writing would be like unconstrained by insecurity, anxiousness and fear Continually and intentionally direct your thoughts back to your writing in a one-pointed focus of attention to the scene in front of you
12) Write regularly to create a writing habit
13) Rather than concentrate on what isn’t working in your story or look too far into the future with the story, direct your attention to what you have just written. Ask yourself, because that happens, what does your character do next?
14) Each day, focus on one or two scenes and up to four scenes only and no further.
15) Write each day with no judgment. Your goal is to get the first draft written.
16) Acknowledge that, as the habit of daily writing solidifies, as the month proceeds the challenges of writing a first draft from beginning to end intensifies.
17) Stay with writing every day until you have achieved your daily word count. Congratulate yourself daily for your productivity.

You know you’re in the zone when time stops and you’re completely immersed in your story with full concentration. Good luck. See you December 1st for the 6th Annual International December is Plot Writing Month after you’ve successfully pre-plotted and written a novel or memoir in a month. (originally hosted by: Brian Klems at The Writer's Dig)

For help writing the 2 toughest scenes of your story, join me from the comfort of your home for this 1 1/2hour plot webinar hosted by The Writers Store: Writing Strong Crisis and Climax Scenes: The Two Keys to Screenplays That Connect with Audiences (and Hollywood)
  ~~~~~

Take the PLOTWRIMO Pre-Challenge:

You have 1 Month and 15 hours to get a draft written in time for PlotWriMo. Beginning December 1st, follow the exercises on the Plot Whisperer blog to re"vision" and redefine the plot arc of your story. PlotWriMo is custom designed to ensure your success even during the busiest time of the year.
Begin 2014 ready for a powerful rewrite.
~~~~~
The following resources support you in your pre-challenge:
1) Plot your story step-by-step with the help of

The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories

2) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
named BEST BOOKS FOR WRITERS by Poets&Writers. The author provides insight on how to create works of fiction with powerful stories and focuses on how to devise a Universal Plot, plot lines and subplots, compelling scenes, and character transformation.
 
3) Refer to The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing

for writing prompts for scene #1 to the very The End, one prompt at a time.

4) Watch the Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. Scroll down on the left of this post for a directory of all the steps to the series. 27-step tutorial on Youtube

5) Watch the Monday Morning Plot Book Group Series on YouTube. Scroll down on the right of this post for a directory the book examples and plot elements discussed.

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 Whisperer on Pinterest 

***** Knowing what to write where in a story with a plot reinforces daily writing practice and allows for more productivity in your writing. Whether writing a first draft or revising, if you falter wondering what comes next in a story with a plot, follow the prompts in The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing.

Today, I write.

Scene Tracker Romance Novel Example

For writers pre-plotting in prep for NaNoWriMo, a Scene Tracker comes in handy. Brainstorm plot at the overall story level on a Plot Planner. Switch to a Scene Tracker when wanting to stimulate ideas for scenes with depth and meaning and ensure you're not simply relying on your writing strengths only but also giving equal time to your weak areas, too.

Following is an Scene Tracker example to show you rather than tell you how, using the classic romance novel Candle in the Window by Christina Dodd.

After pre-plotting and a writing a fast draft in the upcoming weeks, join me in December to re-vision the story you finish between now and December 1st during  PLOTWRIMO .

Need help?

Join me from the comfort of your own home for my live PLOT WORKSHOP Webinar hosted by Writers Digest on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 1p.m. ET.

Learn more and sign up: How to Pre-Plot and Complete a Novel or Memoir in a Month: The Benefits of Writing a Fast Draft from Beginning to End.

~~~~~

Take the PLOTWRIMO Pre-Challenge:

You have 1 Months and 4 weeks to get a draft written in time for PlotWriMo. Beginning December 1st, follow the exercises on the Plot Whisperer blog to re"vision" and redefine the plot arc of your story. PlotWriMo is custom designed to ensure your success even during the busiest time of the year.
Begin 2014 ready for a powerful rewrite.

~~~~~
The following resources support you in your pre-challenge:
1) Plot your story step-by-step with the help of

The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories

2) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
named BEST BOOKS FOR WRITERS by Poets&Writers. The author provides insight on how to create works of fiction with powerful stories and focuses on how to devise a Universal Plot, plot lines and subplots, compelling scenes, and character transformation.
 
3) Refer to The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing

for writing prompts for scene #1 to the very The End, one prompt at a time.

4) Watch the Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. Scroll down on the left of this post for a directory of all the steps to the series. 27-step tutorial on Youtube

5) Watch the Monday Morning Plot Book Group Series on YouTube. Scroll down on the right of this post for a directory the book examples and plot elements discussed.

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 Whisperer on Pinterest 

***** Knowing what to write where in a story with a plot reinforces daily writing practice and allows for more productivity in your writing. Whether writing a first draft or revising, if you falter wondering what comes next in a story with a plot, follow the prompts in The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing.

Today, I write.

Going to Far: Over-Correcting

Writers often swing from one extreme to another before landing on that exact right balance of not too much and not too little.

You know you've gone too far in one direction when your critique group gives you feedback that your story needs more or less of something only to find after a week of rewriting you receive feedback to cut back or add more.

The terrific thing about this sort of frustrating feedback?

Usually, when beta readers focus on the degree of use of specific craft elements, it means the more major structural and plot and characters and pacing underpinnings of your story work.

~~~~~
Changing of the Seasons Transition
In the energy swirling around the transition from summer later this week, your 2013 writing goal spins a bit faster in anticipation of year's end. It's not too late to start/finish that novel, memoir, screenplay of yours and successfully achieve your 2013 writing goal.

Join me from the comfort of your own home for my live PLOT WORKSHOP Webinar hosted by Writers Digest on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 1p.m. ET.

Learn more and sign up: How to Pre-Plot and Complete a Novel or Memoir in a Month: The Benefits of Writing a Fast Draft from Beginning to End.

~~~~~

Take the PLOTWRIMO Pre-Challenge:

You have 2 Months and 2 weeks to get a draft written in time for PlotWriMo. Beginning December 1st, follow the exercises on the Plot Whisperer blog to re"vision" and redefine the plot arc of your story. PlotWriMo is custom designed to ensure your success even during the busiest time of the year.
Begin 2014 ready for a powerful rewrite.

~~~~~
The following resources support you in your pre-challenge:
1) Plot your story step-by-step with the help of

The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories

2) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
named BEST BOOKS FOR WRITERS by Poets&Writers. The author provides insight on how to create works of fiction with powerful stories and focuses on how to devise a Universal Plot, plot lines and subplots, compelling scenes, and character transformation.
 
3) Refer to The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing

for writing prompts for scene #1 to the very The End, one prompt at a time.

4) Watch the Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. Scroll down on the left of this post for a directory of all the steps to the series. 27-step tutorial on Youtube

5) Watch the Monday Morning Plot Book Group Series on YouTube. Scroll down on the right of this post for a directory the book examples and plot elements discussed.

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 Whisperer on Pinterest 

***** Knowing what to write where in a story with a plot reinforces daily writing practice and allows for more productivity in your writing. Whether writing a first draft or revising, if you falter wondering what comes next in a story with a plot, follow the prompts in The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing.

Today, I write.

Grasp Plot and Theme with the Help of a Picture Book

You've been writing off and on all year. You feel good about your characters. You've written exciting action and worked in some terrific twists and turns. You refer to your pre-plot  Plot Planner often and everyday face the challenge of finding the next perfect scene to write (or, if you're using The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing, you're everyday following the next prompt on your way to the end), like putting together the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. What drives your energy for showing up to write day after day is the exploration into the deeper meaning of your story and what your story reflects about you and your life.

You begin with an unusual setting and some "different" characters.

You set the time and establish the protagonist's goal and challenge.

You find yourself writing about an obsession.
Say it's with finding out who you really are, your own unique identity (insert your obsession). Generate scenes with that in mind ~~ the character's interaction with others, trying to figure out her place in the world ~~ that's better ~~ a universal theme for kids and all of us...

As you write, look for clues how to make your story thematically significant and all the scenes to add up to something meaningful: how DOES one figure out her place in the world? Through trial and error? Okay. And so what, really, does that mean overall? Finding one's place in the world takes trial and error, but in the end....

The anwer to the ... above is best when worthy enough for you to give up hours of your life to write, worthwhile for the character to go through the struggle of a journey and worthwhile for the reader to give up hours of her time to read your story.
Hmmmmmmmmm

Picture books, because they push away subplots, make the concept of plot and theme easier to grasp.

Take, for instance, Where the Wild Things Are by Sendax.

What is it? 34 pages? Many of which are drawings. I can't remember and I'm not going to get up and check, but lets say there are 17 pages of written language.

The Beginning : 1/4 of entire project introduces characters while showing where and when the story takes place, and as he demonstrates a major character flaw that will help drive the action of the story.

In the Beginning of Where the Wild Things Are we meet Max, the cat and the mom. Max shows his wild side and drives everyone crazy.

End of Beginning : a scene signifying no turning back, entering the heart of the journey toward transformation

At the end of the Beginning of Where the Wild Things Are, Max is sent to his room with no dinner and there he watches his room turn into a forest or is it a jungle?

The Middle : 1/2 of the page count showing trials and errors, antagonists -- whatever keeps the conflict, tension, suspense and/or curiosity high.
Where the Wild Things Are ~~ journey to Wild Things, conquering wild things

Middle of the Middle : Showing an unusual world
Where the Wild Things Are ~~ shows 4 or more pages of covered with pictures demonstrating wildness

Crisis : Middle builds toward the 3/4 mark and the biggest scene of all
Crisis is a scene forcing the character to feel true depth of emotion and come to a new awareness.
Anything energetically higher than anything that has come before
Where the Wild Things Are ~~Max has everything, but he is lonely for love.

The End : Lots of significance toward the Climax.
Where the Wild Things Are ~~ journey home.

Climax : The character "showing" the transformation
Where the Wild Things Are ~~ settles down to eat his dinner

One page of Resolution ~ his new life from then on
Where the Wild Things Are ~~ and his dinner is hot.

Of course for a novel, or screenplay, or historical you have lots of sub-plots that follow their own template as described above at a sub-level ~~ they are sub-plots, afterall.
(NOTE: click on the green italicized words above for a video explanation)

~~~~~Take the PlotWriMo Pre-Challenge

Complete an entire draft of your novel, memoir, screenplay by December 1st and in time for PLOTWRIMO.

The following resources support you in your pre-challenge:
1) Plot your story step-by-step with the help of

The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories

2) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

3) Refer to The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing

for writing prompts for scene #1 to the very The End, one prompt at a time.

4) Watch the Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. Scroll down on the left of this post for a directory of all the steps to the series. 27-step tutorial on Youtube

5) Watch the Monday Morning Plot Book Group Series on YouTube. Scroll down on the right of this post for a directory the book examples and plot elements discussed.

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 Whisperer on Pinterest 

***** Knowing what to write where in a story with a plot reinforces daily writing practice and allows for more productivity in your writing. Whether writing a first draft or revising, if you falter wondering what comes next in a story with a plot, follow the prompts in The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing.

Today, I write.

It's Going to Take all Your Strength & Your Protagonist's, too, to Lift Your Novel, Memoir, Screenplay to a Climax

A writer who readily admits she struggles with plot and feels pulled to write about characters and relationships did the heavy lifting. She wove together character emotional development with exciting dramatic action and thematic significance.

Trouble arrives after the climax. The story continues... for quite awhile, many scenes, in some of which the protagonist is downright passive. Finally, comes the resolution and true end.

When the writer complains how her subplots carry the same weight as the main plot, she reveals the solution to her problem. Rather than compete with the through-line of the story, subplots serve the primary plot. What is the primary plot? The protagonist's core conflict.

In this instance, the core conflict centers around accepting and understanding the gift the protagonist is born with and has denied her entire life. Yes, finding and facing her father is key to the protagonist's successful completion to her goal. The true climax, however, shows the protagonist using her gift consciously. She doesn't have to be successful. Sometimes, failure reveals the true gift is a nice plot twist. Or, as the writer says: sometimes when you look for one thing, you find something else you truly need instead. The protagonist does have to take action showing her embracing her gift.

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

1) Chapter 11 and 12 of: The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master 

AND
Chapter 15 of: The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step by Step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories 

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.

3) Begin writing now to complete an entire draft of your novel, memoir, screenplay in time for PLOTWRIMO, beginning December 1st.

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 Whisperer on Pinterest

5th Annual Plot Writing Month ~~ Day Thirty

5th Annual International Plot Writing Month and 2012 are nearly spent.

5 Steps to complete today:

1) If you don't have one already, create a space devoted to your writing.

2) Organize your space. Purge and cleanse the space of everything but your manuscript and notes. Organize extraneous notes in file folders by chapter or add to your Plot Planner.

3) Hang your Plot Planner for easy viewing. Keep extra sticky notes and a pen nearby.

4) Create your writing schedule for the new year. Take out the 2013 calendar you bought.

Think long and hard about your daily life and obligations, and your personal best and most productive times of the day. Decide how many days a week you are willing to devote to your writing. Add an extra day to that.

Now mark on your calendar the days and time you will devote to your writing.

By scheduling in your writing time, you'll be more apt to stick to the schedule. Plus, when friends or family or work request/demand your time, you'll more easily tell them the truth:
I have a pre-arranged appointment at that time. We'll have to come up with another time.

Without the pre-scheduled time, chances are much greater you'll put yourself and your writing last, which invariably means you'll not get to it.

Don't despair if you find honoring yourself and your writing time is difficult at first. With practice, you'll find yourself joyfully committed to your writing time. An added bonus is that when the muse finds you consistently showing up, creativity is more readily available to you. The habit itself creates miracles and mysteries.

5) If you plan to write during family time, consider creating some sort of signal so family members know you're working and honor your uninterrupted time. Isabel Allende lights a candle and as long as the candle burns her family knows not to bother her. Hang a sign with "office hours" for that day. As long as the sign hangs, no one enter. The more seriously you take your writing time, the more seriously your family and friends honor your writing time, too.

Available Now:
The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing gives you the inspiration and motivation you need to finish every one of your writing projects. This book guides you through each stage of the writing process, from constructing compelling characters to establishing an unforgettable ending. The book also helps you get into the habit of writing creatively every day, with brand-new imaginative prompts for how to write a novel, memoir, screenplay with a plot. 

Join me here 1/1/13 and together we'll write our stories from page one and working our way through the prompts all the way to the end.

To familiarize yourself with the basic plot terms we use throughout December:
1) Watch the plot playlists on the Plot Whisperer Youtube channel.
2) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
3) Fill out the exercises in The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories
4) Visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

5th Annual International Plot Writing Month aka PlotWriMo

As many of you know Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers hosts the International Plot Writing Month, also known as PlotWriMo or as my friend and short story writer Mary Eastham dubs the month of December, PostNaNoPlot Perfection.

This year, to celebrate PlotWriMo's 5th birthday, I'm offering a free Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises to Help You Write a Compelling Story every week during December to the person who tweets the most messages using the hash tag #plotwrimo for that week.

PlotWriMo initially came about to help writers who take part in NaNoWriMo and find at the end of November they are left with a whole lot of words that do not always add up to much.

PlotWriMo annually spans the entire month of December for writers who have a draft of a novel, memoir, screenplay and are wondering, now what?

This is a chance to revision and redefine the plot arch of your project before actually rewriting the manuscript. (This also works for writers without a first draft. Whether you merely have an idea for a story, a few chapters or scenes, just tweak the assignments to make them work for wherever you are in the process.)

Writers follow the blog from all over the world everyday every December for plot tips and tricks and inspiration beginning Dec. 1st to shape their words into a compelling story.

No writing is required. Instead, you'll step back and consider the overall structure and plot of your story, push aside the words and analyze the characters and dramatic action and thematic significance you have written to craft the project into a coherent piece worthy of publication. . Brainstorm for an effortless draft two in the new year.

Have an idea for a novel?

A draft of your screenplay?

Think you've finished the final draft of your memoir?

Wondering, now what?

Everyday, a manageable new assignment tailor-made for the busiest month of the year.

Day-by-day, scene-by-scene, step-by-step tips and tricks and inspiration beginning Dec. 1st.

No writing required.

Craft a draft of your work into a novel, memoir, screenplay in a month’s time.

Who: Anyone who has written a draft of a novel, memoir, or screenplay and is now ready to craft the project into a coherent piece worthy of publication.

Why: The first draft of any writing project is considered the generative phase. The muse is often responsible for much of the generative phase. The writer acts as a conduit and allows the inspiration to come through onto the page. The generative phase is all about getting the words on the page.

At the end of the generative phase, a writer is often faced with a manuscript full of holes and missteps, confusion and chaos. This is part of the process in that editing in the generative phase risks stifling the muse, which often results in stagnation.

When a writer completes the generative phase the real work begins—crafting the words into a coherent story. This is where International Plot Writing Month comes into play.

Many writers, when left with pages and pages of words, are often at a loss as to how to take their writing to the next level. Rather than shove the words about on the page, join the Plot Whisperer as she takes you through the process of crafting what you have into a viable story.

When: International Plot Writing Month begins every December 1st.

Where: Plot Whisperer blog: http://plotwhisperer.com/

I hope you'll take part in PlotWriMo come December 1st.

Also, if you'd like to plot your novel, memoir or screenplay, The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of the Universal Story Structure Any Writer Can Master released by Adams Media October 2011.

For a video recap of PlotWriMo:

How Do I Plot the End of a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay

For those of you finishing up a draft to follow along during PlotWriMo, feel free to visit:

Plot Whisperer Youtube Channel

for the playlist devoted to plot tips for writing the

End of a novel, memoir, screenplay.

SPECIAL NOTE:

Next month is PlotWriMo when I guide you through re"vision"ing your plot arc for a major rewrite in the new year.

While awaiting December 1st, I offer plot tips via Twitter and Facebook to ensure your success in achieving your writing goals during NaNoWriMo and thus have a rough draft to revision throughout December.

I hope to periodically extend more in-depth plot support on this blog during November, though I'm mostly saving my energy for next month when I'll blog about each new revision step everyday for the entire month.

Of course, you can always create plot while you write during NaNoWriMo with the help of The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories.

Coming Soon! 
The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing. Available for pre-order now. Ships 12/12.

More Plot Tips: 
1) Plot your story step-by-step with the help of

The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories

2) For plot concepts and insight into the roller-coaster ride writing a novel, memoir, screenplay can be, read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

3) Watch the Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. Scroll down on the left of this post for a directory of all the steps to the series. 27-step tutorial on Youtube

4) Watch the Monday Morning Plot Book Group Series on YouTube. Scroll down on the right of this post for a directory the book examples and plot elements discussed.

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

Rough Draft to Revision

Q: Last week I did something I didn't know I'd be able to do though had the drive to do it. It's taken 20 months to do it, but I've completed my first draft- I have a manuscript! Woot woot! So much of your influence pushed me to it, btw!

Anyway, I was wondering how you go about re-writing/editing. Do you do a full read through first? Do you just start with spelling checking? How do you make sure it's fluid from the color of a shirt in one scene to the next, etc.....

A: Congratulations!

See my previous post for an understanding of how I define the difference between a re-write and a re-vision.

During PlotWriMo throughout the month of December, I post daily exercises designed to re-vision the rough draft you've written (as in NaNoWriMo) for the first major re-write. I've published those steps in the Before the Next Draft ebook. The exercises in The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories do the exact same thing.

Essentially, I recommend putting aside the manuscript for at least a couple of weeks. During that time, stand back and re-vision the story now that you know the beginning, middle and end.

Don't worry about the specific details until you're confident that the plot and structure are working.

Once the skeleton and foundation are in place, that's the time to concentrate on the essential plot elements in every single scene.

This is a time of taking what you wrote during the generative stage and crafting it into a story. Happy plotting!

More Plot Tips: 

1) Plot your story step-by-step with the help of The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories 

2) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

3) Watch the Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. Scroll down on the left of this post for a directory of all the steps to the series. 27-step tutorial on Youtube

4) Watch the Monday Morning Plot Book Group Series on YouTube. Scroll down on the right of this post for a directory the book examples and plot elements discussed.

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

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