To the right of this post is a list of the 22 Steps in the Plot Series: How do I Plot a Novel, Memoir and Screenplay? (a few more coming soon complete the series)
Now that I posted the directory of the YouTube series, I wish I started the list with the last one and encourage you work your way forward. Perhaps this will work as a strategy for the writer who never reaches the end, finishes, accomplishes her goals. Perhaps beginning at the end will help you stay true to the cause of writing your story.
Whether by conventional means and you begin at Step One or the unconventional way of beginning at Step 22, my intention is to provide you with a series of videos to guide you step-by-step through the plot elements that create a pleasing form, one that mirrors the universal story.
Benefits of watching the
Plot Series:
1) Become a better writer
In preparing for my first ever Writers Plot Retreat in the redwoods on Thursday through Sunday (so don't expect another post for a few days), I marvel again at how consistent the Energetic Markers arrive in the Universal Story from romance novels, to screenplays, to mysteries, young adult, memoirs, middle grade and yes, even picture books.
For instance: The Cay by Theodore Taylor.
Like To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee where the plotline dealing with Boo breaks off after the End of the Beginning and does not come back until the End, The Cay has an almost independent plotline running through the Middle (1/2) with the Beginning (1/4) linked back to the End (/14).
The End of the Beginning of The Cay is when Phillip is blind. The antagonists in the Middle are Phillip's prejudice of Timothy, blindness, a deserted island, fear, feeling sorry for himself, the weather and Malaria. Phillip's allies in the Middle are Timothy and Stew Cat.
In the Middle of The Cay, Phillip must maneuver, with the help of Timothy through a survival course, the Unusual World of living on an island blind.
The Crisis of the subplot on the island occurs about Halfway through the entire story and operates as the Crisis of the subplot running through the Middle portion of the story. Phillip climbs a palm tree blind, makes it about 10 feet and then freezes. Comes back down and he feels Timothy's disappointment.
The Climax of the subplot on the island comes when Phillip attempts the climb again, makes it all the way up, picks two coconuts, comes down and asks Timothy, "Are you still black?" showing Phillip has overcome is fear and his prejudice.
The Crisis of the overall story comes at exactly the 3/4 mark when a hurricane hits the island.
The Climax comes when Phillip himself is able to signal the plane and in the end he is rescued.
Anyway, my point is that the End of the Beginning, the Halfway marker, the Crisis(es) and Climax(es) all hit at exactly where they "should".
And, that's only one of so many examples.
I keep throwing the concepts out there because they're helpful and valid. Something worth learning for your own stories.
Dear Writer,
You have passed into the Middle of your journey with this project. The moment you began writing, you entered the exotic new world of writing. Yes, you've written before now but that was before you had a plot, let alone several, and a plan. You left behind the uncertainty, the blind pursuit of a dream.
Now, you know where you are going and why.
Promise me something.
Promise me you'll steer clear of your own ego in this brave new world you've entered. An ego wants something.
See yourself as the creator of this story = ego and imbalance.
See yourself as the conduit = cooperation and balance.
Guide the story along the parameters you have planned. Do not let your analytical mind offer suggestions, changes, improvements. Over the past weeks, your analytical mind has served you well as you plotted and planned, schemed and researched. The moment you crossed the threshold into writing, your analytic mind shape-shifted from ally to antagonist. Always the Middle is fraught with antagonists as a way to test you, distract you, interfere with your success.
Don't get slowed down. Stay in the moment of the writing itself. Your story lives within you. Write with it rather than about it.
Lots of surprises await both your story and you.
Enjoy the process,
Martha aka Plot Whisperer
To the right of this post is a list of the 22 Steps in the Plot Series: How do I Plot a Novel, Memoir and Screenplay? (a few more coming soon complete the series)
Great ideas! Thanks for this, super appreciated. Us aspiring writers can use all the advice we can get.
Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
I've watched them and studied them alongside the book and am so grateful to you for posting the videos. I pick up new ideas each time I hear your instructions. I mentioned you and your work in my latest blog post last night, On the Cusp of Completion.
Thanks for your support, Sarah Allen!
You're so nice, Denise. Give me a date you'll be finished and write The End...
Did it. Today was the day. Put a fork in in, Martha, and call it done. I just typed THE END.
Now for a quick celebration and then the REAL WORK begins! WOO HOO!
CONGRATULATIONS, Denise!!
My advice right now? After the celebrations, let the story and you rest for a spell...