How to use this Page

If you are just joining us, 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're following us here, nonetheless 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're 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.

Last year 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's Christmas tree. Halfway over the mountain, I cringed when a hawk 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 or scenes of your story -- it's 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'll 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. 
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• Start a second list. Write down any and all themes that pop up in each event. (Don't strain for these theme ideas. If something comes to you, write it down.) Examples like: 

For those of you who have not yet finished the 1st draft of your story, keep writing. I encourage you to reach the end. The Climax will help with the work you do here. While you write, follow the steps outlined here throughout the month. One should not interfere with the other but rather compliment each other. (If you haven't started writing and only have an idea for a story, ignore today's prompt and adapt all future suggestions to fit your needs.)

Today's step is easy. Print out a hard copy of your manuscript. That's it.

As tempting as it is with the manuscript sitting right there in front of you, remember, no reading. Not yet. Let the story sit. Let yourself unplug from the writing side. You are now entering the analytical side.

For those of you who shudder at the thought of structure or run from the concept of plot, I'd like to share Joseph Campbell's words:

"It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life.

Where you stumble, there lies your treasure.

The very cave you are afraid to enter turns out to the the source of what you are looking for. The damned thing in the cave that was so dreaded has become the center."

Plot and structure are the jewels. You'll see. Trust the process.

(If you're just joining us today, please read the last couple of posts to catch up.)

Welcome to the 2nd Annual International Plot Writing Month

Today begins a month-long opportunity to craft a draft of your writing into a story.

If you participated in NaNoWriMo, first take time to congratulate yourself! You've done what many have talked and dreamed 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 '10. 

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:
What does she stand to lose:

Character Emotional Development Plotline
Flaw:
Strength:
Hates:
Loves:
Fears:
Dream:
Secret:

Good l

A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose

As I mentioned last week, I spend a fair amount of time on the outline for a novel. Once I actually start writing the book, I usually edit at least a little as I go. Sometimes this involves checking over just one chapter, sometimes two or three, once they are done, if I want to assess how it’s all going, if everything flows properly or if a section doesn’t feel right in some way, before I move on to the next part. I’m able to do this because I know what will happen next in the plot. In some ways, I am almost merely expanding on the outline I created, filling in details, adding description, dialogue, action and so on.

Does the outline change as I progress? Absolutely, although usually not too dramatically. There will invariably be parts of the story that may not work as well as you thought they would, new ideas that emerge as you write or you may simply have a new take on a situation you’ve already created. However, the outlines always serve as a valuable guide and ensure that the general flow of the story is well mapped out. You may, of course, still change your mind about certain aspects of the story as it is written, but hopefully you can avoid the situation where you have produced ten chapters, then decide to scrap everything you have written, because you’ve have a great new idea. This new inspiration, however, might actually be part of another book altogether and be ill suited to your current project.

Pre-planning may not be for everyone, but it will often help you maintain your focus, enabling you to get your book to the finish line.

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Simon Rose was in the UK last week. Here is an article about his visit that ran in the local newspaper there.