Pre-Plot Using a Historical Novel Example

Begin pre-plotting with the 1st exercise in The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories.

By creating a character transformation and evolving all three major plotlines over the beginning, middle and end of the story, you're left with a bird's eye view of your story. Turns out this exercise is intense to some writers and daunting to others, so much so that a writer friend declared the workbook the Ph.D. program for writers. Not my intent, I assure you.

Rather than become overwhelmed by the complexity of the task, break the exercise down into its parts, beginning with the Character Transformation Statement.

Last night in book group, we discussed the debut historical novel: The Doctor and the Diva by Arienne McDonnell.

Plot, plot, plot, the story is all about plot, everyone exclaimed. I disagreed.

The book is masterful at keeping the suspense and curiosity high with clearly defined goals and ticking clocks. Scenes are tightly linked by cause and effect. Provocative themes explored. The historical details about all the different exotic locales and occupations were breath-taking and the author's prose lovely.

So, what's the problem?

Though the dramatic action plot stays true to the structure of the Universal story and the historical details are spot-on, the character emotional development plot is devoid of its most important element = no character transformation in the end. None. Not one character. All the characters are exactly the same at the end of the story as they started out in the beginning.

Don't let this problem befall your story.

Begin pre-plotting with the ultimate character transformation in mind. Start there. 

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 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

Pre-NaNoWriMo Plot Key Scenes

Today's Monday Plot Book Group (click to watch the video) covers four key scenes or, in the Universal Story, Energetic Markers that are found in every novel, memoir, screenplay.

As early as possible, attempt to identify these four energetic markers and then allow the rest of the story fall into place around these key scenes.

The energetic markers are:
End of the Beginning Scene
The Halfway Point Scene
The Crisis
The Climax

For step-by-step guidance into pre-plotting your novel, memoir, screenplay, refer to:
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit the Monday Plot Book Group series (A directory to this 2nd plot series is to the left of this post and scroll down a bit) and visit the first Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. (A directory of all the steps to the 1st plot series is to the right of this post.)
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Pre-NaNoWriMo Character Considerations

As you decide whether you're going to dive into NaNoWriMo again this year and find yourself mulling over story and character ideas, keep the following in mind.

An opening line or scene or conflict or dilemma may catch your fancy but rather than linger there for very long, take the inspiration you're given and stretch the ideas all the way to the climax of the story.

In other words, constantly ask yourself what the climax scene may look like. In so doing, consider the traits the protagonist will need to have in order to prevail at the climax.

Such a search opens possibilities for the traits she will be missing at the beginning of the story, the flaw she'll have to overcome to be triumphant in the end and what traits she now has at the beginning that are going to interfere with her forward progress toward her goal.

This exercise will serve you well during the first week of November, which represents the beginning writing portion of the entire project and the time you'll want to incorporate the traits she embodies at the beginning to foreshadow the journey she'll have to undertake.

For step-by-step guidance into pre-plotting your novel, memoir, screenplay, refer to:
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit the Monday Plot Book Group series (A directory to this 2nd plot series is to the left of this post and scroll down a bit) and visit the first Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. (A directory of all the steps to the 1st plot series is to the right of this post.)
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Pre-plot for NaNoWriMo

Today's Monday Plot Book Group (click to watch the video) covers thematic significance or the deeper meaning of your story.

It's never too early or too late to begin asking yourself:

What does my story means to say?

Or, if you plan on writing a story during November for NaNoWriMo, what sorts of themes do you find bubbling to the surface?

For step-by-step guidance into pre-plotting your novel, memoir, screenplay, refer to:
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

For more about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit all the other Monday Plot Book Group in the series (A directory to this 2nd plot series is to the left of this post and scroll down a bit) and visit the first Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay?on YouTube. (A directory of all the steps to the 1st plot series is to the right of this post.)
and visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook (we hope you "like" it)
Plot Whisperer on Twitter

Evolution of a Book -- Part Four: Plotting a Book Launch

A book launch is like a wedding, a birthday, a coming out party, a graduation. Two people present themselves as individuals and ceremoniously become a couple. We throw a party to celebrate the day we are born. Before family and friends, we introduce a child into adulthood. A book launch signifies the movement away from the private and ordinary world to the communal and part of the whole. It is a moment best marked with a party.

The wildest book launch on record for me is the party for Holly Payne's, The Sound of Blue: a Novel.

At Fort Mason in San Francisco, we bought books from stacks lining the wall and entered an enormous high ceiling room vibrating with music and packed with people. Her publisher sprang for the party with the drummer from the Grateful Dead and his band, and lights and cake.

My aunt reviews the classic Capitola launch party she gave for her last book To Make a House Complete as she plans one for her current book Walking For Our Lives coming out in September. A garden party spills into the street, balloons flying, cheeses from a local dairy and strawberries from local fields.

Back in 2005, I launched Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple at Capitola Book Cafe. My stomach still flips remembering all the people crammed between the book shelves and perched on tabletops. Now that it's time to launch The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master into the world, no question about it, Capitola Book Cafe is the perfect launch location for party.

The decision makes real to me that soon the book truly will be available to writers. I'm eternally grateful that Adams Media fast tracked the book to have it available on book shelves by October 15th. Having to wait any longer would do me in...

You are cordially invited to The Plot Whisperer book launch party

Tuesday, October 18th

7:30PM

Capitola Book Cafe

Capitola, California

Further details are unfolding. There will definitely be food, though I'm not sure what. I'll talk about plot, perhaps more specifically pre-plot for writers interested in taking part in NaNo November? I'm not sure. I do know I want to include readers, too, and seekers. I'd like to bring all the aspects of the book to light: the Universal Story for writers, readers and seekers. Needs work.

Stay tuned for book launch surprises and prizes to come...

The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of the Universal Story Structure Any Writer Can Master released by Adams Media October 2011. Available now for pre-order!

For immediate tips about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visitPlot 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!