Most stories have the potential for more than
one storyline or plot, and that can produce a rich tapestry as long as the threads
are chosen well and woven properly.
A basic definition of plot is what happens
in a story, or, more precisely, the main events. The bigger events, whose
impact is usually on the main characters, form the main plot. The lesser events,
whose impact is more on secondary characters, form the subplot, of which there
may be more than one. When revising your story, one question to consider is: Does
the subplot overshadow the plot?
If this is the case, the reason may lie in the strength, or
lack thereof, of the main characters. If so, consider how to strengthen
the main characters. If they’re right for the story as-is, look closer at the
secondary characters. They may be more integral to the overall work than first
appeared. If so, consider changing the balance of characters and storylines. Selecting
new narrative threads can create an entirely new design.
Share your writing
journey and queries on plot and subplot with Word for Words. Happy writing!
Continuously Published Since 2008 Jon Landau — Music Critic, Manager, Record Producer
Showing posts with label Plot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Plot. Show all posts
Friday, February 5, 2016
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Hatching a Plot: Time and Forethought
Use this as a writing prompt |
Here are common ways to hatch a plot, with pros and cons:
Outline: A chapter-by-chapter description of what happens that can be more detailed, or less, depending on what works best.
- Pro: Works well as a plumb line to see how your story is tracking, and where subplots could enrich the work.
- Con: Can be confining, especially if the writer sticks to it like glue even when better ideas arise.
- Pro: Works well for writers with a visual style (think screenplay).
- Con: Writers who like an escape can bog down, forgetting that this is still the planning stage.
- Pro: Works well for ideas still being formed, and for writers who like to revise on the fly.
- Con: It can be hard to see how the story tracks, especially if there's little order or organization.
- Pro: Your first draft is done.
- Con: You can't always see plot holes and how well the timelines track.
From Where You Dream |
- Regardless which choice you make, consult it periodically as a tether, not a noose.
- Keep updating your selection, even if you do a "save as" for each version; you'll more easily see the problems.
- Don't be afraid to consider the possibility of errors. It's better to find problems before you send the work for publication.
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