Establish 4 Energetic Plot Markers First

Writer labels herself as a "plotter" during our plot consultation. Whether you call yourself the same or write more by the "seat of your pants", strive to identify the following 4 Energetic Markers in your story as early in the process as possible:

• The End of the Beginning
  
• The Halfway Point
  
• The Crisis
  
• The Climax

Since the writer has revealed to me all the defining traits of a classically left-hemisphere dominate writer, such a task of analyzation brings up no resistance from her. However, she did need help defining the four scenes for both the protagonist and the love interest, too.

Once the scenes are in place on a simple Plot Planner (my apologies for the missing marker -- the Halfway Point, it's coming in the new book) -- she is better able to see the deeper meaning and energetic flow of her story.

I'm having a tough time knowing all this info and so much more is coming in the Plot Whisperer book but... not until October. (The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of the Universal Story Structure Any Writer Can Master is now available for pre-order!) Hate to make you wait. In the middle of final, tiny edits on the galleys and don't have time to go into this further now. In the meantime, I hope the videos help.

For tips 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. Enjoy!

Love Letter to a Writer

Dear Writer,

You have passed into the Middle of your journey with this project. The moment you began writing, you entered the exotic new world of writing. Yes, you've written before now but that was before you had a plot, let alone several, and a plan. You left behind the uncertainty, the blind pursuit of a dream. 

Now, you know where you are going and why. 

Promise me something.

Promise me you'll steer clear of your own ego in this brave new world you've entered. An ego wants something. 

See yourself as the creator of this story = ego and imbalance. 

See yourself as the conduit = cooperation and balance. 

Guide the story along the parameters you have planned. Do not let your analytical mind offer suggestions, changes, improvements. Over the past weeks, your analytical mind has served you well as you plotted and planned, schemed and researched. The moment you crossed the threshold into writing, your analytic mind shape-shifted from ally to antagonist. Always the Middle is fraught with antagonists as a way to test you, distract you, interfere with your success.

Don't get slowed down. Stay in the moment of the writing itself. Your story lives within you. Write with it rather than about it. 

Lots of surprises await both your story and you. 

Enjoy the process,

Martha aka Plot Whisperer