How do they get it? This is the story. Once your character figures out how to get what they want, well, there's your plot. Remember, outlining your plot in advance won't limit your creativity, but rather ensures a good plot—one that doesn't stray too far off topic. Fleshing out your plot with colorful characters and a vivid setting will enhance your novel and grab your readers' attention.
Be sure to spend time on the little details and stay focused; nothing is worse than a good plot idea that grows ever more chaotic as the novel progresses. Stories are about change; each scene should have a turning point, with the character moving from one value to another. Does the character start out sad? They should end up angry, or happy, or downright ebullient.
Each scene should push the story toward a final turning point: the resolution. Have you used each scene and story event to guide readers to a plot resolution? Now don't let them down. This is your final turning point; how has your character changed from the beginning of the story? Readers don't want to spend an entire day, or even a week, reading a novel just to have the ending fall flat. Be sure to tie up loose ends.
Even if you're writing a book series with an overarching plot, you still have to end the mini-plots within each book. After the climax, wrap up the story as quickly as possible. Don't be tempted to drag it out; your readers won't like it and your plot and characters will suffer.
Remember, the end of the story will be the freshest thing in readers' minds once they put the book down. Don't rely on an act of nature or an unknown hero to clean things up at the last minute. Your audience wants to see your characters solve their own problems.
Your readers have grown attached to your characters; a good plot will show how these characters have been transformed by the obstacles they've faced. Creating a good plot isn't as easy as it sounds. It's like telling a cat that racing through the mud, leaping over a fence, pulling off a three-quarter corkscrew, and catching the Frisbee in mid-flight—all to a racy samba tune—will finally gain this feline the respect of the dogs in the park.
While this accomplishment will likely set some tails wagging, it will take a long time, and many sessions of trial and error, for the cat to learn such a feat. The same is true when crafting a good plot. Plot - The chain of events that make up your story, or the combination of your plot points.
Each note card is a plot point. The stack of note cards as a whole is your plot. The order in which you organize these note cards is your narrative arc. They must connect together and lead the story in a specific direction. For example, a dog sees a squirrel, a boy crashes his bike, and a little girl falls over is not a plot. However, a dog sees a squirrel, and then its owner loses hold of its leash, causing the dog to run free, knocking over a little girl and causing a boy to crash his bike is a plot because the events connect together in a way that builds a story.
If the events do not connect and build upon each other, then why would a reader keep turning the page? As you create your plot points—and therefore build your plot—you should start with the five elements of a plot. Once you have your five plot points, it will be much easier to start filling in the blanks, building your narrative structure, and organizing your story as a whole.
Often, the exposition of a story only lasts for a few chapters because readers are eager to dive into the conflict of the story. Many authors make the mistake of having their exposition be full of interesting but ultimately unnecessary information about the world in their book. You should immediately place the reader within the action of your story, and try to weave background information in as organically as you can here.
The rising action normally begins with an inciting incident, or a moment that sets your story into action. Is it in the right place? Do you need it at all? If not, take it out! The strongest stories have well-developed themes, engaging plots, suitable structure, memorable characters, well-chosen settings, and attractive style.
For best results, build strength in all areas. Search Contact. Theme A theme is something important the story tries to tell us—something that might help us in our own lives. Plot Plot is most often about a conflict or struggle that the main character goes through. A novel can have several conflicts, but a short story should have only one. Story Structure At the beginning, jump right into the action. At the end, wind up the story quickly.
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