Create the Beginning portion of your Plot Planner similar to the End of your Plot Planner you created on Day Eight.
To review, so far, you have an index card or piece of 8 1/2 X 11 piece of paper or whatever works best for you as the Plot Planner for the End of your story AND a smaller version for the Beginning and Middle where you had plotted at least one or possibly two scenes from the Beginning section and at least one or three at the most for the Middle from Day Five.
Today, you are to expand the Beginning portion to its own index card. Simply draw a line that travels from the left to the right with a gradual ascent that ends at the End of the Beginning.
Welcome to Day Twelve of the 4th Annual International Plot Writing Month . As you are finding, this month is completely different in tone and approach to the process you recently used to complete your project's first draft.
Now, rather than give into the mysterious and mystical process of allowing a story to develop, this month is devoted to a more methodical analyzation of the ideas and scenes you have already processed. Whereas the first draft often relies heavily on faith and patience, this month, we ask you to take what you have created and revise it into a form that is satisfying to a reader.
The magic that came in draft one is for you the writer. The deepening that comes in subsequent drafts is for the reader.
Check off what you have accomplished.
Click on green highlighted plot concepts for further explanations via video:
1) Managing NOT to read your manuscript
3) Print a hard copy of your manuscript and insert in a binder (managing NOT to read your manuscript) -- Day Two
4) Made a list of scenes you remember in your story -- either as
plot points or just a list of the events themselves --
Day Three
5) List themes touched on in your story -- Day Four
THE END: PART TWO
People who know me are not surprised I start at the
End. I've always done things a bit backwards. I have three reasons for beginning this way:
1)
The
End never gets the attention the
Beginning does. Often by the End, writers are exhausted. The raw emotion having survived the
Crisis leaves you drained. Like the protagonist, you are tough enough to go all the way into hell and face your biggest fear or worst ordeal (the Crisis in the Middle). After that, to write about the journey back to share the gift -- not running home crying, -- returning a victor and faces the ultimate
antagonist at the
Climax, which often turns out to be herself, feels like it's all too much.
Drained from writing an entire draft and having lost energy for the story, the End is vague and underdeveloped.
(Please note: I'm using two different words to mark two different moments of highest intensity respectively:
Crisis , which occurs in the
Middle at about the 3/4 mark in the story
AND
Climax, which occurs in the End (1/4) one scene or chapter before the last page of the entire story)
2)
The
Climax is the crowning glory of the entire story and, thus, deserves focused attention.
In real life, a person who suffers a
Crisis has lost everything. After that, you either triumph over your fear and greatest antagonist at the
Each of us dreams of being lifting to great heights. So does your protagonist. We imagine our dreams from the safety of our own habits and routines and within a framework of mutually agreed upon rules and customs. Comforted by the known sameness of our lives, we wait for something outside ourselves to lift us up, always waiting...
Not so for the
protagonist of your story. She has to move from the ordinary world of the
Beginning into the murky
Middle. The very definition of the main character of the story as the one most changed by the
Dramatic Action. From the great height of the Climax of the book or screenplay, she prevails to lead the way for others to follow.
The
Climax is the moment one chapter or scene before the very end of the story when the protagonist does something she could not have done anywhere else in the story because she first had to
rediscover and learn the skills needed to shine.
What we are doing here at the 4th Annual International Plot Writing Month is dry compared to the magical and mystical process of writing a first draft. Processing your story through your intellect and analyzing it wipes away befuddlement and leads to clarity of character goals and motivation which in turn helps to create convincing expression and emotion.
Today is two-pronged:1) Organize
If you haven't already, print out your manuscript. Do NOT read it. Be sure to include a header on every page with your title in caps / name on the upper left and the page # on the upper right.
Don't worry about spell checking or chapter breaks. just make sure the pages are numbered.
Insert your project into a binder. [Warning: printing manuscript is a snap compared to hole-punching the pages. However, it's important to have the manuscript bound and in one place.]
Divide the total number of pages in the binder by 4. Stick a post-it note at the
1/4 mark and another one at the
3/4 mark.
Today represents the End of the Beginning of our month-long plot writing endeavor. The past week has been introductory. You're getting to know what is expected of you during PlotWriMo. You've made a few discoveries you hadn't known about your story and experienced a couple of ah, ha moments. Finding the time everyday proves challenging, but you've managed.
The other day I tweeted about how the work you do on your story during PlotWriMo is like cleaning out a cluttered closet. First you have to take everything out (the beginning). This causes quite a mess and before things get better they get way worse as you attempt to assess what to keep and what to toss. You rearrange the shelves and paint. You question your choices. The chaos begins to grate on you. You feel overwhelmed by the task ahead of you. You suffer a crisis and beg to give up (the middle). Out of the ashes of what was, you rise up and methodically restore order (the end).
Today, you decide whether you move forward into the exotic world of the
Middle of
PlotWriMo or you choose to stop this plot re"vision" work you started.
Whether you actually spend time making lists and filling out templates this month or simply reading the posts everyday, your relationship with your story will deepen. Your relationship with yourself will, too.
Today, take a look at the work you've been doing. Take a look at your calendar. As we move deeper into PlotWriMo, we also move deeper into the holiday season. You can rattle off 10,000 excuses why to turn from your story and devote yourself to your seasonal traditions. Challenge your belief system. Allow yourself to step up and honestly say that for no other reason and no one to blame, you're stopping.
Not you, you say? You game to keep at it? I promise you you won't regret your decision...
Take your time to decide. The
Middle is not for the faint-hearted. Hope to see you back tomorrow and the real work begins.
(***Click on
green highlighted plot concepts for further explanations via video. Each time a concept
The Middle poses lots of difficulty for writers for a multitude of reasons, many of which I discuss in The Plot Whisperer book.
One difficulty crops up when, having committed to writing all the way through to the end without going back to the beginning, you stumble across a terrific subplot when writing a first draft. Hopefully you resisted the pull to go back and foreshadow the subplot or introduce the unexpected element. Why? Because, if you do give in and go back, chances are good you'll overdevelop the subplot in the Beginning.
That problem then multiples when you get all attached to what you have created and suddenly are struck with the idea that perhaps you've been writing about the wrong character all along, that the subplot star is, in fact, the
protagonist. Before long you're off and writing an entirely new story or become entangled in the first version.
Now that you have successfully written all the way to the end at least one time it is the time to assess the strength of the each subplot, mull over the thematic tie-ins to the primary plot, and make determinations how best to foreshadow important elements without giving the subplot more attention that it deserves and detracting rather than enhance the primary plot.
(***Click on
green highlighted plot concepts for further explanations via video. Each time a concept is referenced you are directed to new informatio
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
writer and for your protagonist:
2) Watch:
For more about writing the Middle of your novel, memoir, screenplay:
Take a moment to assess where you are in writing your story now that you're 4 days into NaNoWriMo.
To ensure that you stay on track and write a solid beginning, middle and end by the end of November, stand back from your writing for a minute and consider the following.
Tuesday marks the day you and your protagonist enter the exotic world.
Begin opening up to the idea of pulling the beginning together so you're sure to be writing the End of the Beginning scene on Monday.
For support:
Plotting the Beginning
Energy Anatomy of Stories
Plot the Dramatic Plot
Plot the Character Emotional Development Plot
The Three Major Plotlines
***I am giving away 4 free autographed copies of The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master AND
To win, simply comment on each of fourteen blogs that took part in the mega-blog book tourlisted on the Master Schedule. As one writer says of the experience: "I feel like I just took in a 2 hour writing workshop in a few minutes."
If you do not have a draft of a story written, follow the steps outlined this month to generate ideas for one now.
I appreciate how we each desire to be heard and at the same time fear that what we have to say has no meaning. Desire and fear drown out the muse. Do what you must to silence your ego. Listen to your story instead.
Every story has its own unique energy. At the same time, everything around us follows a similar path. We are born, challenged, come to fullness, and die to who we were. Within the greater pattern, a similar version repeats itself innumerable times throughout our lives.
Today, using the scenes/events you generated on
Day Three, let the energy of your story alight on the pattern itself with the help of the
Universal Story. Below is the template. More information is on
Blockbuster Plots for Writers.
Plot:
Try for all 7 of the following
or
3 scenes/events At the Least (*)
(Do NOT refer to your manuscript. Use the scenes you generated yesterday. No more than 7.)
- Scene, moment, conflict, dilemma, loss, fear, etc. that forces protagonist to take immediate action -- Inciting Incident
- Scene or event that symbolizes the end of what was. The protagonist's goal shifts or takes on greater meaning and turns the story in a new direction, l
If you are just joining us here at PlotNaNoPlotPerfection to perfect your plot, welcome! Begin at Day One (you have to scroll down) and work your way here.
Draft #1 represents a leap of faith; you write without worrying about the outcome. Well, perhaps you worry, but if you are following us here, you persevered. Congratulations!
In the Native American tradition, mouse medicine focuses on the attention to detail and runs in about 5- to 6-week cycles. NaNoWriMo writers devote fastidious attention to writing at highly concentrated levels. Like the mouse, when we are in the flow of getting the words on paper, we often neglect other areas.
As you begin winding down, let the words subside and your body return to rest.
Two years ago at this time, on my approach to the Santa Cruz mountains, I spotted a red-tailed hawk at the tip of a redwood tree, like an angel atop a giant Christmas tree. Halfway over the mountain, I cringed as something flew into my peripheral vision. Rather than crash, in a swirl of feathers, the hawk steered clear.
Hawks embody visionary powers and guardianship. I invite you to enter into the realm of expressing a higher vision of your story beyond the word level itself. Stand back. See the bigger picture and allow for new ideas.
Today:
- Continue listing the major events and scenes of your story -- it is not necessary to remember every single scene, just the big plot points for now. Remember, no reading the manuscript itself. The big, important scenes should pop out at you. Later when we work with these events in comparison to what you actually wrote, you will have a better sense of what to cut. Cutting, trimming, paring down the insignificant makes room for the scenes and events that truly drive the story.
- Start a second list. Write down any and all themes that pop up in each event. Do not strain for these theme ideas. If something comes to you, write it down.
Examples of themes like:abandonmentpoverty
violence
trust
love
family
support
injustice
Welcome to the 3rd Annual International Plot Writing Month aka PostNaNoPlotPerfection.
Today begins a month-long opportunity to refine the plot arch of your novel, memoir, and screenplay.
If you participated in NaNoWriMo 2010, first take time to congratulate yourself! You've done what many talk and dream of doing -- you've written an entire story from beginning to end. Celebrate!
Next, craft the project into a coherent piece worthy of publication.
During December, take the steps needed to analyze what you've written and brainstorm for an effortless draft two in January '11.
Revision your project before actually rewriting the manuscript. (This also works for writers without a first draft. Whether you merely have an idea for a story, a few chapters or scenes, just tweak the assignments to make them work for wherever you are in the process.)
Everyday this month, I'll provide plot tips and tricks and inspiration.
No writing required.
Following are a couple of caveats for our month together:
1) Do NOT show anyone what you've written so far. The first draft of any writing project is considered the generative phase. At the end of the generative phase, a writer is often faced with a manuscript full of holes and missteps, confusion and chaos. This is part of the process in that editing and/or an unbridled internal critic in the generative phase risks stifling the muse, which often results in stagnation.
Your first draft is a fragile thread of a dream. You know what you want to convey, well, maybe and sort of. Few writers can adequately communicate a complete vision in the first draft of a story, especially when writing by the seat of your pants. Allow others to read your writing now and you risk losing energy for your story and becoming overwhelmed by the task ahead of you.
2) Do NOT read what you've written. I know, I know. You're anxious to read your hard work. However, the longer you give yourself before actually reading your first draft, the better. If you read your manuscript now, you're still close enough to the work that you'll automatically fill in the gaps. Give yourself distance first. This allows you to read your work more objectively later.
Let's get started!
By now, you know who the protagonist of your story is. Stories are about character transformation. The character who is transformed by the dramatic action in your story is your protagonist. Fill out the following for your protagonist. If the major antagonist in your story is a person, fill out the following for that character as well. If you have more than one point of view character, fill out the form for that/those characters, too.
CHARACTER EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROFILE
Character’s name:
Dramatic Action Plotline
Overall story goal:
What stands in her way:
Nice aricle! I like it.
I'm happy with my climax and beginning hook. My protag has her inner conflict and her two opposing goals and desires. But I just feel the middle is not dramatic enough. Trying to concoct the villain's motives that makes sense is so convoluted. And I'm still puzzling over the subplot involving her sister.(Who's there to give her someone to care about other than herself). Trying to tie the sister with the crooks somehow.
I suppose I won't figure out the new middle until I rewrite. Somehow I'm like that. The old middle was too "easy". Rushing through November to get to the end. Now I've got to plod along, cause, effect, cause, effect, throwing complications along the way.
Thanks for helping me figure that nailing the beginning and the end is most important.
Thank you for sharing this article. I love it. Keep on writing this type of great stuff.