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.
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:
By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 1/28/2010
Blog: Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers
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A problem I often find in the plot consultations I provide is the misuse of flashbacks.
During a plot consultation, a writer outlines her historical novel to me. Before long, the story takes a u-turn into flashback. My immediate reaction is to refocus myself. I quickly scan the Plot Planner I am creating for her for what I know of the story so far ~ the time frame, the place, and the characters ~ in order to keep in perspective the time and place change.
If you've read Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple, you know I am not a fan of flashback. Mostly, I dislike the whiplash effect, but also because I have seen too many writers, especially writers just starting out, overuse and abuse flashback. It is more difficult and takes more thought and creativity to integrate the pertinent backstory seamlessly into the front-story than it is to create a flashback. Flashback is a depiction of a past, literal experience. Full integration of back-story into front-story involves more nuance and skill.
Three plot tips when it comes to flashbacks:
1) If you feel you just have to have a flashback, wait to use it in the Middle of the story. By then, the reader has had time to ground themselves in the front-story and is better able to transition back and forth in time
2) A flashback is portrayed moment-by-moment in scene. Consider instead using a memory (summary)
3) If flashbacks are integral to the overall plot and structure, do like Audrey Niffenegger in The Time Traveler's Wife, make the story line non-linear and create the very structure of your story based on time jumps.
By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 12/8/2009
Blog: Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers
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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 tagIf 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 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
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
By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 12/8/2008
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
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.
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By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 12/8/2010
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
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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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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By: Martha Alderson, M.A.,
on 12/8/2008
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....
0 Comments on International Plot Writing Month -- Day Seven as of 1/1/1900
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Interesting post, I am not even sure if I have employed flashbacks, I'll have to check and see if they follow the rules.