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

Writer's Goals Summer Solstice Check-In

June 21st marks the beginning of summer and is the longest day of the year. After tomorrow, the days shorten until the longest night of the year on December 21st.

Where are you on your journey toward accomplishing the writing goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year? 

How many pages, scenes or words are left to reach the end of this draft of your novel, memoir, screenplay? 

Divide that number by the 182 days left until the 21st of Dec. The final number represents the pages, scenes or words needed per day to reach your goal. 

Doable?

Revise it until it works. 

To celebrate the turning of the seasons and in honor of the Universal Story:

1) Recommit to your goals. 

2) Speak your goals out loud.

3) Mark the time needed to accomplish the page, scene or word count on your calendar. 

Everyday, focus only on what you intend to accomplish that day. Forget the big picture for now. Concentrate on getting the words on the page.

Do not assume the journey turns effortless because of your recommitment. Expect it to become way worse. Keep writing anyway.

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!