If you're just joining us for the 3rd Annual PlotWriMo, also known as PostNaNoWriMo, we're about to enter the analyzation phase.
Wait... before you click away, I admit what we're doing here is not very romantic, especially if you've just emerged from under the spell of creating a new story. Still, what you do here for this month, rather than strip away, actually strengthens and builds your story's vital essence and clears a path for a dynamic rewrite.
Plot Writing Month works best if you start at the beginning. Scroll down to Day One and work your way back.
Use the new information and see it, rather than just read about it. Grab a few 3 X 5 white index cards and colored pens, and transfer the themes you jotted down at the top of the index card. In the main body of the card, draw a tiny PP -- tiny because it only has to fit 7 scenes maximum for now.
Which of the scenes come quickly. With some tweaking and rethinking, do they link together by themes. Don't be surprised if the overall meaning -- that perfect thematic statement -- alludes you. It's there in the story. You just don't know the story well enough to distill a 45,000 word story into one pithy statement. Yet...
By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 12/6/2009
Blog: Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Key scenes, beginning middle and end of a writing project, 2nd Annual International Plot Writing Month, theme and character emotional development, PLot Planner, Add a tag
It will come. Whatever you focus your attention comes to you.
In the meantime, transfer to the index card with the tiny Plot Planner as many of the seven scenes as you know from yesterday. Continue exploring the themes as they appear.
The Beginning (1/4)
Does the Inciting Incident scene and the End of the Beginning scene, the first and last respectively in the Beginning, fit the criteria? Filled in, the scenes in consideration to the themes generated and paired with the Character Emotional Development plot line, reveal meaning. A shift in the protagonist's motivation rise the stakes of the story and starts a clock ticking.
The Middle (1/2)The Halfway Point and the Crisis fit at the middle of the Middle (1/2) and almost at the end of the Middle (3/4 mark). Determine how to make the Character Emotional Development dark night of the
0 Comments on Day Six--3rd Annual Plot Writing Month as of 1/1/1900
Add a Comment
By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 12/6/2009
Blog: Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Key scenes, beginning middle and end of a writing project, 2nd Annual International Plot Writing Month, theme and character emotional development, PLot Planner, Add a tag
If you're just joining us for the 2nd Annual Plot WriMo, we're about to enter the analyzation phase. Wait... before you click away, I admit what we're doing here is not very romantic, especially if you've just emerged from under the spell of creating a new story. Still, what you do here for this month, rather than strip away, actually strengthens and builds your story's vital essence and clears a path for a dynamic rewrite.
Plot Writing Month works best if you start at the beginning. Scroll down to Day One and work your way back.
I'm following along using a rough draft of mine to do the assignments for the 2nd Annual International Plot WriMo. Because I do better when I write it and see it, I grab a few 3 X 5 white index cards and colored pens, and transfer the themes I'd jotted down to the top of the index card and draw a tiny PP -- tiny because it only has to fit 7 scenes for now.
Five scenes come quickly. With some tweaking and rethinking, seven of them link together by themes of betrayal and forgiveness and love. Still, the overall meaning -- that perfect thematic statement -- alludes me. It's there in the story. I just don't know the story well enough to distill a 45,000 word story into one pithy statement. Yet...
It will come. Whatever you focus your attention comes to you.
In the meantime, I keep the index card with the tiny Plot Planner of 7 scenes close by and continue exploring the themes as they appear.
The Beginning (1/4)
The Inciting Incident scene and the End of the Beginning scene, the first and last respectively in the Beginning, fit the criteria perfectly. Though it is only now, when I fill the scenes in with consideration to the themes I generated and paired with the Character Emotional Development plot line, do I understand that, with a shift in the protagonist's motivation, the stakes of the story rise and the clock starts ticking.
In this new light, the story fills me with energy and I look forward to writing of the next draft... at the end of the month, that is. There are many other elements still left to consider.
The Middle (1/2)
The Halfway Point and the Crisis fit at the middle of the Middle (1/2) and almost at the end of the Middle (3/4 mark) work though now I see how I can make the Character Emotional Development dark night of the soul cut deeper thanks to how universal the theme of forgiveness.
The End (1/4)
The scene before the Climax and the Climax both fall at the End portion of the Plot Planner takes on more meaning thanks to the exploration into the Character Emotional Development plot line in relationship to the theme of redemption.
Don't push the theme. It will come. The theme is there whether you figure it out or not. It's just if you know it, the common thread can give you focus and keep you on track. (Plus, a thematic significance statement comes in handy at those holiday parties when your friends ask you what your
1 Comments on 2nd Annual Plot Writing Month -- Day Six, last added: 12/10/2009
Display Comments
Add a Comment
I'm confused by your description of using the index cards. How many themes on a card? is the point to find ways that the 7 big scenes fit each theme?