McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

plot issues

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Drew:
Read more novels.  I'm not saying to steal anything, but read authors of different styles  and get a feel.

the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:

--- Quote from: Drew on April 05, 2007, 03:21:57 PM ---Read more novels.  I'm not saying to steal anything, but read authors of different styles  and get a feel.

--- End quote ---

My advice is the opposite, entirely; steal everything.  There are various books out there claiming there are only so many fundamental plot elements in existence, and while I'm not fond of any given set, I think the principle as a whole holds water. If nothing else, steal from Shakespeare.  Because he really knew how to put a plot together; except in the places where he doesn't, which are easy to identify and fascinating train-wrecks from which one can learn a lot; and besides, he stole pretty much all of his plots anyway.

Pick a classic plot and take what you need from it. Your characters will let you know if anything doesn't fit.

eviladam:
Thanks for the imput every one. I think I'm back on track. I'm still trying to work out the plot details but a few things about my characters have finally snapped into place that will hopefully make it more novel less mindless late 80's action movie.

I've found that my job (delivering pizza) is the greatest thing in the world for an aspiring author. The reason is simple: I spend 80% of my night alone in the car driving around and day dreaming about my story. At this point several months in it doesn't take a lot of my concious mind to do the job. I work on the story and I find myself at some one's door step collecting money. Then I work on the story some more and I find myself back at the store.

Claire:
Plot-  a writer's worst friend (or best enemy).

I write in the oddest way- I know where I want to start and how I want to end.  I have a basic idea of what I want to accomplish throughout the book.  Aside from that, I know nothing.  I just write and see what comes out.  Of course, this leads to the dilemma I had 50 pages into my last book in a trilogy.  I realized that I had no plot at that point.  REWRITE!!!!

I ended up throwing in another idea that I was able to follow through to the end, and tie together with the main plot points. 

So, my advice to everyone is to pick a main plot arc that ou want to cover.  Then come up with several smaller arcs (at least 2, no more than 4) and weave them into the story.  Then, you'll always have at least on plot for you to fall back on when you get hit with a writers block on the main plot. 

BobSkull:

--- Quote from: eviladam on April 05, 2007, 02:32:05 AM ---None taken. It's something I'm trying to work on. I hope to one day over come this problem.

--- End quote ---

Good luck!  :)

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