A Case of Subplot Overload

Subplots reign in the Middle (1/2) of novels, memoirs, and screenplays. Developing a few is a good tip if you find yourself slogging through writing the Middle and tempted to go back and begin again.

Keep in mind: too great a proliferation of subplots confuse the splendor of the primary plot.

A character-driven story set in the exotic worlds of the Ivy League and Wall Street. Dysfunctional and self-abusive behaviors based on the archetypal back-story wound of having witnessed and taken part in the socially acceptable behavior and subtle practice of devaluating and belittling the mother by a cruel father and a pair of impressionable boys.

Each one of these elements forms a subplot that supports the thematic significance of the entire story as do the addictions that consistently take him down: bulimia, then pornography, and alcohol and drug abuse, and the steps he takes to heal.

Each of these subplots contribute to his primary plot. Contribute to... not overshadow.

Plot Tip:
Craft only the number of subplots necessary to best support the primary plot. Prioritize each subplot based on how each best contributes to the overall story.
Push minor subplots to the background or, when need-be, let them go entirely.
Remember: Not every subplot deserves a front-row seat in your story.

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

For additional plot tips: Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
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

Dedicated Writing Time

The next video in the new Plot Tips series is up for your viewing pleasure and for the first time, I'm attempting to embed the video so you can watch it here without having to travel to YouTube.

A dedicated writing time is essential for anyone intent on reaching her writing goals.

Writers write. Wanna-be writers talk about writing.



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

Two New Plot Series Up on Vlog

I went to upload the first video in a new Youtube plot series -- Plot Tips -- only to discover 3 videos I had filmed for a different new plot series -- Plot Glossary -- never uploaded and had completely forgotten about.

So... I'm happy to share with you two new plot series for your viewing pleasure.

My plan is to upload a new video for each of the two plot series every Tuesday.

Next week:

• Plot Tips Series covers Plotting Out Your Writing Time 
• Plot Glossary Series gives the definition of plot

Until then, check out the new plot series.

Plot Tip Series:

• First Sentence / Paragraph of a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay

Plot Glossary Series:

• Forehadowing
• Rough Draft
• Revision versus Rewrite

(NOTE: For those of you who had trouble masking out the background noise in the How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay Series and Monday Morning Plot Book Group Series, the Plot Tips series has been filmed in a quiet, indoor location. Though the first three videos in the Plot Glossary Series that are up now were filmed outside, from now on that series, too, will also be filmed indoors.)


For additional help and inspiration in turning lackluster plots into irresistible stories:
1) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master 

2) Fill in the companion workbook: 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

Do you writes in layers, one or two layer per draft? Or do you write all the layers of your novel, memoir, screenplay at once?

And what are all these layers, you ask?

Emotion: evoking a range of emotions -- positive and negative -- in the reader through the characters' show of emotion.

Conflict, tension, suspense, urgency and curiosity: shaping the dramatic action to keep the reader turning the pages to learn what happens next.

Character transformation: showing a flawed character change overtime spiritually, emotionally, physically, or mentality or all of the above.

Thematic significance: bringing meaning to the story.

Relationships: revealing the complexity and intimacy of the characters in relationship to each other.

Sensory: using senses -- auditory, visual, tactile, taste, smell -- to transport the reader deeper and deeper into the story world.

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

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

Plot for Memoir Writers

Yes, even memoir writers need a plot.

There is nothing more frustrating than to read a memoir that is simply a litany of events -- episodes that happen to the memoirist -- this happens and then this happens and then this happens. This is especially depressing when the writer has wonderful voice and insight into a moving period in history.

No matter how unique the writer's voice, without a plot, a reader's interest eventually begins wanes. Even a significant historical turning point loses its luster and impact without conflict, tension and suspense.

I'm especially cranky about one memoir in particular right now but can point to many others. For instance, Carole King's memoir falls flat and in the end the reader is left to wonder what all the events in her life really add up to. Rather than transformed by the dramatic action in her life, her life seems more out of balance at the end of the memoir than when she began.

Most readers long to be uplifted by the stories they read.

My advice? Before you spend money on a great cover and layout, publicity and marketing your story, study the craft of writing first. Just because the events happened to you does not mean that they will move and entertain and enlighten your reader.

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. 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

Giving Yourself Permission to Write

After successfully self-publishing a memoir made up of short stories, the writer gives in to the pull to write a novel. Everyone in her writing group and the majority of those in the writing club she joined when writing her memoir are writing novels.

A hysterical title brings her enthusiastic support to go for it. She starts out strong but before long the story coasts to a stop. No matter which way into the project she pushes, passion and the muse refuse their help.

An always journal writer, she has won awards and publication for her short non-fiction writing. Slowly, even the passion for journalling disappears.

Giving herself the gift of a month alone in the woods by a lake, she commits to spending the precious quiet time purging her journals. She tears out the passages that move her and toss the rest. Her plan is to put the best of the best in one journal, shelve it beside her other beloved books and be done with writing, perhaps forever.

Instead, the moving passages invigorate her. Suddenly, words are tumbling out of her about life and spirit and joy. Rather than surrender to the familiar pull to write, however, she stiffens. The words clunk to the page and lie there like a board. The idea of making anything worthwhile, publishable, meaningful stops her cold.

This writer thrives when writing and falters when silenced. In the pursuit of publication and writing for others, she lost what means most to her -- her writing.

I give her permission to simply show up and allow for the words to be imperfect. Forget the end result. Simply write. Nearly instantaneously, her voice changes from lethargic to shiny and full of promise.

Give yourself the permission to write for writing sake. Stay in the moment of the words. Forget what comes next, if anything comes next. For now, simply write and marvel at the miracle of writing words that come from you as if from nowhere.

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. 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

From Plot to Pure Gold

Alchemy is the seemingly miraculous power or process of change in form, appearance or nature.

In writing, dramatic action that transmutes the character at depth over time magically produces thematic significance -- the gold.

Spend the 1st quarter, the Beginning, of a story gathering and showing the ingredients of the experiment.

In the Middle, apply heat in the form of outer and inner forces to test, challenge and hinder. Antagonists work well. As the energy blazes ever higher, keep an eye on the character.

In the final quarter of the story, the End, the Climax reveals the final transformation as the protagonist emerges changed at depth. The conclusion left behind form the meaning of the story. The act of writing becomes the miraculous act of alchemy at the exact moment of thematic significance.

To familiarize yourself with the Universal Story and the basic plot terms in the above blog post:

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. 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

How to Accomplish Your Writing Goals

Often plot consultations take place once for two hours. I may hear from a writer off and on for years either on the same project different draft or somewhere in the process of birthing a new story. When I work with a writer on an on-going basis, inevitably our conversation turns to the writer's writing schedule.

A writer has a definite deadline when to complete this current draft. She knows approximately how many words her story is going to be based on research of how many words books in print similar to hers have.

She counts how many writing days are between her deadline and today. Then she divides that number by the total number of words left to accomplish. The number sitting in front of her represents how many words she must write every writing day in order to successfully complete her goal.

The reality of the task ahead of her fills the silence between us. When she next speaks, I hear a new sense of self emerge as she commits to the number of words required of her each writing day. In the next breath, she thinks out loud about awakening one hour earlier each day. No hesitation at that.

Where I do hear resistance is when she expresses the need to not check the internet and email first before writing. Without saying so, we both know that turning on the internet before jumping into writing pretty much ensures that extra hour of sleep she sacrificed for her writing is lost.

Your Turn:
Decide on a deadline in which to complete your current draft. Figure out how much time you are willing to devote to your writing. Schedule on the calendar each writing session and how many words you plan to write each session. Record your progress. Adapt your expectations based on your performance and revise your schedule accordingly.

Schedule a plot consultation day and time with me in your imagination. On that day and time, imagine yourself telling me your progress. At the end of each imagined appointment, I ask you to voice out loud your writing commitment.

Your answer and commitment for this week is _________________ (fill in the blank)

To familiarize yourself with the Universal Story and the basic plot terms in the above blog post:

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. 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

Breakthrough

In the middle of my keynote plot workshop, I begin to pick up a dull hum in the background of the main ballroom. Pre-occupied with holding my balance as I launch more than 200 writers deeper into their stories, I flick away the distraction like an irritating fly. The noise grows more distinct. A couple of writers are talking at one of the seats-eight round dining tables strewn with papers and plot planners. Their conversation persists into my explanation of the next step of the workshop. Others at the table scoot their chairs away from the voices to focus on mine.

I turn toward the chatting duo.

"I have difficulty masking out background noise." The last thing I want is to embarrass anyone.

Perhaps I said more. All I remember is feeling calm in the silence that followed my words.

After the keynote, I received lots of gratitude from writers for speaking up. Later, upon my return home, more thanks came via email. Also in my inbox was a note from a writer taking full responsibility for the disruption.

She adds after her apologies that she was giddy over the light-bulb moment she had about her story and had to share it with her friend.
What can I say to that? Her excuse reflects exactly my stated intention for the keynote: to take the writers deeper into the plot and structure of their stories... At least for that writer, I know I succeeded.
To familiarize yourself with the Universal Story and the basic plot terms in the above blog post:

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. 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