If you are joining us for the first time, please scroll down to Day One. The reason I do not provide a "hot" link to the post is because doing so will take you only to that day's post and you want to work your way through all past seven posts to catch up.
My last post was a bit harsh. I take it back. It is not necessary for a writer to have to go through all that.
If you are joining us for the first time, please scroll down to Day One. The reason I do not provide a "hot" link to the post is because doing so will only take you to that day's post and you want to work your way through all past seven posts to catch up.
What we are doing here at the 3rd Annual International Plot Writing Month is dry and analytical compared to the magical and mystical process of writing the first draft. However, 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.
The work we do here, like the plot workshops I teach, is divided between explanation and time for development of the THREE MAJOR PLOT LINES for your individual project. For the sake of convenience, the explanation here gives independent consideration to the dramatic (action), emotional (character development), and thematic aspects of story, but keep in mind that all aspects of a successful writing project must become integrated into the total structure to create its unity, and that achieving this unity is the goal of every writer.
Today is two-pronged:
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What we are doing here at the 2nd Annual International Plot Writing Month is dry and analytical compared to the magical and mystical process of writing the first draft. However, 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.
The work we do here, like the plot workshops I teach, is divided between explanation and time for development of the three major plotlines for your individual project. For the sake of convenience, the explanation here gives independent consideration to the dramatic (action), emotional (character development), and thematic aspects of story, but keep in mind that all aspects of a successful writing project must become integrated into the total structure to create its unity, and that achieving this unity is the goal of every writer.
Today is two-pronged:
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By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 12/8/2010
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By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 12/8/2008
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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.
Put the binder away, for now.
Gather all the extraneous notes you may have generated during the writing of the rough draft that you have not yet integrated into the piece and the notes you have generated thus far during PlotWriMo. Divide the notes and stick them into file folders labeled Beginning (1/4), Middle (1/2), End (1/4). Straighten up your desk. Purge everything you can that you accumulated while writing the rough draft. Put things in order.
You're entering a new phase. Time to cleanse and prepare to step into the next draft.
2) Plot THE END: PART ONE
Pull out your index cards or paper or whatever works for you. Keep the BEGINNING and�
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In my own defense, my purpose here is to support writers achieve their dreams of completing a worthy project. So what about all those half-written stories that end up in the trash bin or at the bottom of a cabinet drawer? Not reaching it, our dreams hound us relentlessly. We never truly forget that which we long for.
People who have faced death say they do not think about the work they missed at the end but of family and friends. Really? Don't you think for even a moment your story might flash before your face and ask, what if?
How does a resistant writer make it all the way to the end?
I wish I could say with grace and splendor but my way is messier. Commit to your own hero's journey as your protagonist embarks on hers.
Learn as much about yourself through the process as you learn about your character.
Recognize the similarities.
Invite in the antagonists.
Ask for answers.
Push yourself.
See what happens.
3 Comments on To Those Who Never Make it to the End, last added: 5/29/2010
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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.
Put the binder away, for now.
Gather all the extraneous notes you may have generated during the writing of the rough draft that you have not yet integrated into the piece and the notes you have generated thus far during PlotWriMo. Divide the notes and stick them into file folders labeled Beginning (1/4), Middle (1/2), End (1/4). Straighten up your desk. Purge everything you can that you accumulated while writing the rough draft. Put things in order.
You're entering a new phase. Time to cleanse and prepare to step into the next draft.
2) Plot the End
Pull out your index cards or paper or whatever works for you. Keep the Beginning and Middle sections of the Plot Planner you drew earlier. Cut off the End. Using an entire index card turned horizontal for the End this time, draw a line that travels from nearly the bottom edge steeply to nearly the top edge of the index card and then down.
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Blog: Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Martha Alderson, Blockbuster Plots for Writers, International Plot Writing Month, crafting the End of a story, holiday plot guide for writers, Add a tag
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 in a binder.
[Warning: printing manuscript is a snap compared to hole-punching the pages. However, it's important to have the manuscript stable 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.
Put the binder away, for now.
Gather all your extraneous notes. Divide them into file folders labeled Beginning (1/4), Middle (1/2), End (1/4). Straighten up your desk. Purge everything you can that you accumulated while writing the draft. Put things in order.
You're entering a new phase. Time to cleanse and prepare to step into the next draft.
2) Plot the End
Pull out your index cards or paper or whatever works for you. Keep the Beginning and Middle sections of the Plot Planner you drew earlier. Cut off the End. Using an entire index card turned horizontal for the End this time, draw a line that travels from nearly the bottom edge steeply to nearly the top edge of the index card and then down.
Write in the Climax and Resolution you came up with in your first draft. Plot any other scenes you can remember in the final 1/4 of your draft. Write in pencil. Often in fulfilling either/both assignments, writers find disaster hits. Coffee spills on the manuscript or the index card rips. Perhaps, you stub your toe, break the pencil lead, or yell at the dog for tracking muddy paws across your Plot Planner. If this happens, note the resistance.
Accidents are a rebellion against authority.
Ask yourself: to whom have I given my authority?
Perhaps you've given your power over to the belief that this stuff is too hard or that you've always hated getting organized and plotting, that you aren't smart enough to get this, or that your story is no good and who is ever going to want read your work anyway? Or, your story is so great you don't need all this added work. Could be, you're racing to get the assignment completed because there are so many other things to get done.
You have the choice to buck up and do the work or grovel in the muck.
I vote that you get back into your body and reclaim your power. The work you are doing is important. You deserve the time it takes to get this right.
Hey, it's the holidays. This is suppose to be fun. You're shaking things up. Doing things differently. Or, like one of the few commenters commented earlier -- it can't hurt. Right?
Your story is amazing. You are amazing. Being an artist takes discipline. You are an artist. You can do this....
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Congrats! JUST LOVE YOUR BOOK!
Any timeframe for a truley updated 2nd edition anytime soon?
Would love to see your plot planner be applied to other plot structures, other than the "upside-down checkmark" plot line. (i.e. you should check out LOREN NIEMI's "THE BOOK OF PLOTS" for additional plot structures).
In addition (just my wish list), what would be great for a future edition is to add additional tips / checklists on other writing topics inside the side margins, like dialogue, POV, transitions, revision process, style & grammar tips, first drafts pre-writing methods...instead of recapping on blog postings as you have on recent updates of your book.
Would also be great if you can give additional ideas to further expand on your tools (i.e a list of additional items to track in scene tracker), and a recommeneded reading list of books u find helpful.
Sorry for the rambling, just excited about the idea of a 2nd edition of your book.
By the way, was wondering, in a historical novel, wouldnt it make sense to track summaries so we can track chronology & passive action? Or do u think its best suited to track it in the plot planner instead?
Thanks Martha for all of your help!
--Thankful Newbie Writer :)
Great post. No what ifs!
This is an interesting post because you NOW have 4 stories you're working on now and have yet to complete one. So you must be one of the ones "Who Never Make it to the End"?
I'm a bit dumbfounded because you seem to help so many with your plot tools, but not able to help yourself?
Why not shed some of your personal experiences with your writers block or whatever it is that is stopping you from finishing at least one of your stories. I would love to know how you are coping these last few years?
Teach us from your mistakes. Enlighten us. Humble yourself. I like your book. But all of this "cheerleader" advice without action just seems wrong. Instead of repeating yourself over, and over and over about your plotplanner, offer your dedicated readers a breath of freshness.
Take the plotplanner/scenetracker to a higher level and stop the dead air. No offense.