Finding the Through-line, the Primary Plot

She stakes her claim on her story boldly and with confidence. Quickly, it becomes apparent to me that the writer is speaking in a different language. I stop her mid-sentence and ask her what happens at the climax of her story. She pauses and then continues. Still, in the foreign language. I stop her again.

"Rather than tell me about the special features and functions of the outer-space suits they're wearing and all the other technical details about the exotic world you've created for your story, tell me what the protagonist does at the climax."

She takes a stab at answering my question. Before she can leap back to her place of confidence and try to wow me with the authentic details of her story, I ask her what happens to the protagonist at the crisis of her story.

Again, another good attempt at an answer.

Not giving her a chance to say anything further, I ask her what affect the crisis has on the protagonist or, in other words, what does she learn at the crisis that helps her prevail at the climax?

The longer I probe and the deeper we dig, slowly the through-line or the primary plot that drives the external action of the story emerges. Unencumbered by the techie jargon and heavy details, the writer is free to roam the galaxy she's created in search of the dramatic action, character emotional development and thematic significance of her tale.

Yes, the authentic details she's dreamed up make her story unique and the establishment of all the inner workings of the story world is important.

Stepping back and evaluating the story at the overall plot and Universal Story level is essential.

Today, I write.

Knowing what to write where in a story with a plot allows for a more loving relationship with 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.

To familiarize yourself with the basic plot terms used here and in the PW Book of Prompts:
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

Researching versus Writing

You've pre-plotted, or not, and have a slew of scene ideas to write. You've mastered the getting-up-an-hour-earlier-to write. Daily the words flow and you're gaining confidence in your story. You tally up your word count and find you're on track to beat the deadline you've given yourself.

In the morning, you hit a scene that demands you know how in the heck the culture you're writing about performs wedding ceremonies. You've attending enough of them to have a general sense but no idea of the actual details of who does what when. Or, you're not exactly sure how the bounty hunter really would act in the situation you've set up. Or, when exactly a young girl reached maturity back in the time period you're writing about.

You decide you can not go on writing until you've figured out the details, convinced not knowing will cost you more time in the rewrite if you write something now that doesn't fit later. Suddenly, you find yourself spending all your writing time scribbling notes and listing new scene ideas to incorporate in your story, sure your readers will love what you've uncovered as much as you do. Your productivity skids to a stop and your word count remains unchanged for one, then two, then three days as you research the necessary information.

My advice? It's simple: Use your writing time to write. Devote another time during the day to research.

To familiarize yourself with the Universal Story and basic plot tips and tricks:

1) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (The companion workbook is coming this summer and available for pre-order now ~~ The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories)

2) 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

3) 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

How Much Plot is Too Much Plot?

Question: 

I know the entire story. I'm just not sure how much to tell.

Answer:

Tell only the parts that show more about: 

1) the character emotional development -- this info should come in stages, revealing deeper and deeper layers, the deeper and deeper the reader reads

2) the theme -- as the plot advances, the thematic significance of the story deepens

3) the dramatic action -- action becomes dramatic when filled with conflict, tension, suspense, and / or curiosity -- the sense of threat is both internally and externally driven

4) the details that make up with world the characters live in -- use only authentic and specific details and go for as much symbolism as possible

Tell nothing more. Show nothing less.

Plot Authentic Details

The Middle of every story begins with the entrance to the story world itself. The more exotic and unusual this world, the better the read. 

List sights and sounds, smells and tastes, texture and mood of the setting of your story. 

First list may be general and generic. Refine the list as you refine drafts. Little-by-little find the exact right authentic and unusual and historically-just-right word, detail, object, sensation...

Each day draws me deeper into the exotic and unusual world of a premiere surf spot, The Hook at Pleasure Point in Santa Cruz, California.

The Hook

• Mean age range: 25-30 years old
  
• Principal occupation: surfing
  
• Palm trees tower 
  
• Cypress trees sway in the bay breeze
  
• Fog horn blares
  
• Gulls cry
  
• Surfboards stick out from truck beds, latched atop car roofs
  
• Boys dressed head to toe in black zip by like seals astride bicycles built for two = boy and surfboard
  
• Nightly news tracks high and low tide each day
  
• The aroma of bacon, eggs, and hash browns rolled in flour tortillas waft from a shack known for "rolling fatties"
  
• Girls in uggs, cotton sun dresses, and hoodies 
  
• The smell of seaweed at low tide
• Snippet of conversation: "Hey, dude. The sun's coming out. I might have to go surfing."
• Mexican music floats in on a hazy layer of marine warmth

Thematically, the place reeks of youth and movement and the power of nature, though I have yet to mention the sea...

What are some authentic and unusual details of your story world??