What is Plot?
For many, plot means story. But plot alone is a series of connected events within the story that not only reveals what’s happening, but how one thing leads to another. Your book’s plot will have a beginning, a middle and an ending.
There are so many different ways to construct your book’s plot, but I’ve narrowed things down to the main things every plot should include.
Inciting Incident: This is the event that sets everything in motion, forcing the protagonist to leave the comfort of their status quo and start their journey.
Complications: These are the obstacles, challenges and conflicts (both internal and external) that force your protagonist to deal with new circumstances.
Crisis: Usually a crisis provides your protagonist with two choices, each one with its own set of consequences. The choice your character makes reveals more about who they are and propels the story forward.
Climax: This is where everything comes to a head, changing the direction of the story toward its conclusion. The climax is where the tension peaks and the protagonist faces not only their antagonist, but also their most important decision.
Resolution: Also called the denouement, this is where the author resolves the conflict and ties up the loose ends.
So then, what is Story?
Story is actually a culmination of plot, setting, characters, POV and themes all working together.
As a writer, how do I deal with plotting my books?
I feel I’m in the middle ground between a plotter (someone who, in great detail, plots out the entire book before starting the draft, a pantser (someone who basically just starts writing by the seat of their pants and lets things unfold as they go).
I’m what seems to have become a recognizable term these days, a plantser (someone who does a basic outline, perhaps with a few details, but who also loves to explore the possibilities as they write). Since I write suspense/thrillers, I make a list of possible twists I’d like to include, but if my characters lean in different directions, I prefer to follow them as they tell me the story.
Create a timeline
Whether you write your book in chronological order or not, I find it helpful to establish a timeline. This can be as detailed as you wish. It can be written down on paper, a document or spreadsheet, details on index cards or post-its, or whatever works best for you.
I tend to limit mine to things like when the book takes place (ie fall, the month of July, all on one day), main character’s names and descriptions, setting(s), and possibly a simple map of my book’s location. Then, in revision, I do a detailed chronological order, filling in everything, scene by scene, that is now in the completed draft.
Below are some websites offering tips for plotting a novel:
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-plotting-a-novel
https://maryadkinswriter.com/blog/how-to-plot-your-book-quickly
There is an abundance of writing craft books that are also great resources. Here are a few:
Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
Plotting Your Novel by Janice Hardy
The Sticky Note Plot by David Macinnis Gill
The Only Plotting Workbook You’ll Ever Need by T.M. Holladay
So which are you?
A Plotter
A Pantser
A Plantser