Rather than start at the Climax at the End and work backwards, this year, I'm going to ask you first to focus on the Middle.
The Middle is the territory of the antagonists and subplots.
Make a list of the antagonists that/who interfere with the protagonist achieving her goal. The more at odds the rules and expectations made by society and created by the government, religious groups, bosses, schools, neighbors, our families and ourselves the protagonist the more tension is created in the story. For the protagonist to achieve her personal desires and save the species, grow and change and transform she ultimately will be challenged to break out and break away.
Mark each of the antagonists on your list that constitutes a subplot and runs primarily from the beginning of the middle to the end of the middle -- in other words, runs through the middle only (other than foreshadowing in the beginning).
For any major subplots, create a Plot-Planner-in-a-Plot-Planner. The subplots' Plot Planner, like the subplot runs only in the Middle, and has 4 Energetic Markers as does the Plot Planner for the overall story.
Keep track of how the themes of the subplots add to the overall story thematic significance.
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By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 12/6/2011
Blog: Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: meaning of a character's identification with objects in the beginning and the middle of a story, a memoir, how to write the climax of a novel, antagonists and subplots, and screenplays, Add a tag
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By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 12/6/2011
Blog: Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: meaning of a character's identification with objects in the beginning and the middle of a story, a memoir, how to write the climax of a novel, antagonists and subplots, and screenplays, Add a tag
Don't stress about how much you get done here. Every time you turn your focus to this sort of detailed examination of your story, you deepen your understanding of what your story is truly attempting to convey to you. Look for tension in your story while eliminating tension in you about this plot analyzation process. At the heart of the work we do here is the Universal Story. Take a cleansing breath and keep going...
If you're joining 4th Annual PlotWriMo for the 1st time,
7 Comments on 4th Annual Plot Writing Month -- Day Six, last added: 12/8/2011
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Great advice for developing subplots. I never consciously thought about them having distinct plot points just like the main plot, but looking back, it makes sense.
Thank you very much for this wonderful site. I'm currently working through the steps and I begin to see the universal story line. I am really surprised at my own story. I see, however, that it needs a major rewrite.
Helpfull advise really nice! Thnaks!
Its really resomable at some extend !
Thats really nice post!
Wow... Thanks.. I'm at the first time on your blog! And I like it! Thanks for sharing info. Keep up the good work
Hi Dolores,
I'm so glad you're pleasantly surprised by what you are learning about your own story! Yay!
Major rewrite should be effortless once all the analyzation is complete.
Glad you're following along!
fondly,
martha
aka
plot whisperer
Hi Connie,
Thank you for your comments. I'm pleased you are finding this process helpful!
Glad you're following along.
fondly,
martha
aka
plot whisperer
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