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Writers Discuss - Plot Structure (#32)

• Okan-Zeeus

  

  Member
   

  February 18, 2016

  Writers Discuss
  

  Topic #32 – Plot Structure
  

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  A story's PLOT consists of events that make up a story, or the main part of a story. When plotting, it's important to consider what kind of story we're trying to tell and what kind of plot will tell it best.

  How can we present and structure our plots effectively? There are lots of ways to do this, and no one method is superior. Let's see if we can't share some ideas.

  Here are some questions to consider:

  How do you plot your story?

  Do you use a specific structure (like a 3-Act Formula) or just wing it?

  How can we organize and keep track of multiple plot threads?

  What can we do to ensure our plots are structured to satisfaction?

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  If you have any suggestions for future topics include them in the comments section!

  Writers Discuss
  

  Topic #32 – Plot Structure
  

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  A story's PLOT consists of events that make up a story, or the main part of a story. When plotting, it's important to consider what kind of story we're trying to tell and what kind of plot will tell it best.

  How can we present and structure our plots effectively? There are lots of ways to do this, and no one method is superior. Let's see if we can't share some ideas.

  Here are some questions to consider:

  How do you plot your story?

  Do you use a specific structure (like a 3-Act Formula) or just wing it?

  How can we organize and keep track of multiple plot threads?

  What can we do to ensure our plots are structured to satisfaction?

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  If you have any suggestions for future topics include them in the comments section!

• The Long-Chapper

  

  Member
   

  February 19, 2016

  I have four books planned. In addition, there is an overall plot that spans all four books and numerous subplots. A hefty undertaking, but the overall plot is finished, outlined, and the lore, for the most part, reconciled. Each book has three to four parts. 

  I draw upon the major questlines as inspiration, but a big thing for me is justifying why the protagonist is even bothering with them and then figuring out how to start and finish them in an organic way. As a result, the questlines are often altered significantly and some are omitted or he doesn't end up too involved with them except in a capacity that makes sense with his character. 

  There is a lot of shit going on in Straag Rod, spanning eons at times, so, I have to jot down notes for plots and subplots, otherwise, I'd get confused and we'd get a lot of swiss cheese with all of its holes. I try to be all outlined and organized, but usually it just comes out like a bulleted list. Good enough.

  I attempt, in each part to have a basic three-part formula, and each book, in turn, has a general three part structure, though Book 1 has actually four. Each of the parts have a basic exposition, climax and denouement, with variants of course. As I also have a central protagonist, I have read the Monomyth. I need to be conscious of where he's going in relation to the plot of the specific part, the plot of the book, and then to his plot that spans the four books. Sometimes, things get a bit complicated and I don't think I always adhere to the three part structure. I try to, because I see the value in it, but characters have other ideas, lol. 

  I frequently back track and check my work to ensure that things still make sense. I keep notes. I really need to, to be honest. There are quite a few layers in Straag Rod. I work with people and some of their characters are in Straag. I run plot elements by Sotek and my other good friends here to make sure I'm not too crazy. 

  Lol, if it reads well, it's structured to our satisfaction? I dunno, I just hope it makes sense. 

  I have four books planned. In addition, there is an overall plot that spans all four books and numerous subplots. A hefty undertaking, but the overall plot is finished, outlined, and the lore, for the most part, reconciled. Each book has three to four parts. 

  I draw upon the major questlines as inspiration, but a big thing for me is justifying why the protagonist is even bothering with them and then figuring out how to start and finish them in an organic way. As a result, the questlines are often altered significantly and some are omitted or he doesn't end up too involved with them except in a capacity that makes sense with his character. 

  There is a lot of shit going on in Straag Rod, spanning eons at times, so, I have to jot down notes for plots and subplots, otherwise, I'd get confused and we'd get a lot of swiss cheese with all of its holes. I try to be all outlined and organized, but usually it just comes out like a bulleted list. Good enough.

  I attempt, in each part to have a basic three-part formula, and each book, in turn, has a general three part structure, though Book 1 has actually four. Each of the parts have a basic exposition, climax and denouement, with variants of course. As I also have a central protagonist, I have read the Monomyth. I need to be conscious of where he's going in relation to the plot of the specific part, the plot of the book, and then to his plot that spans the four books. Sometimes, things get a bit complicated and I don't think I always adhere to the three part structure. I try to, because I see the value in it, but characters have other ideas, lol. 

  I frequently back track and check my work to ensure that things still make sense. I keep notes. I really need to, to be honest. There are quite a few layers in Straag Rod. I work with people and some of their characters are in Straag. I run plot elements by Sotek and my other good friends here to make sure I'm not too crazy. 

  Lol, if it reads well, it's structured to our satisfaction? I dunno, I just hope it makes sense. 

• Legion

  

  Member
   

  February 22, 2016

  How do you plot your story? Do you use a specific structure (like a 3-Act Formula) or just wing it?

  So far, I've winged it super hard. I think that's more acceptable for short stories, stories that begin and end on the same page. Not so for long stories. I've learned the hard way that it's important to work backwards. Start with where you want your story to end up, then fill in plot points to make that possible.

  Given, this is reasonably difficult for someone like me who writes on a whim, only when inspiration strikes. I'm an impulsive writer in that my characters develop as I write them, rather than developing them first and then writing. Honestly, I think this could be solved by simply writing an entire story or arc, then going back over it and tweaking the details to fit into the mold I want.

  Every chapter of VoA has been off the cuff and I fucked myself a little because of it, so I've learned to be more prudent in my future long story endeavors.

  How can we organize and keep track of multiple plot threads?

  A flow chart of some sort? Maybe a graph? That's the first thing that came to my mind, but I also really like flow charts and graphs, so it makes some semblance of sense. I'm imagining a vertical line for each character, with a timeline on the Y axis, and boxes along the lines of each character that represent an event, with each box's size relative to the time taken to complete each respective event. Horizontal lines could be used to represent intersecting plot points by connecting characters' vertical lines. That way it would still allow for representation of 2+ characters participating in the same plot section who may participate for different amounts of time. Ya feel me? Because this is just another off-the-cuff ramble on my part :P

  What can we do to ensure our plots are structured to satisfaction?
  Ask for outside eyes, assuming you're willing to give away your entire story to someone before it's written? Honestly, I can only recommend sleeping on it and, actually, not thinking about it for a day or two. Seeing something with fresh eyes and mind is a a huge boon to any writer (IMO), because it's important to see it as a new reader would see it. That, to me, seems like an excellent litmus test for how well the plot holds together. 

  How do you plot your story? Do you use a specific structure (like a 3-Act Formula) or just wing it?

  So far, I've winged it super hard. I think that's more acceptable for short stories, stories that begin and end on the same page. Not so for long stories. I've learned the hard way that it's important to work backwards. Start with where you want your story to end up, then fill in plot points to make that possible.

  Given, this is reasonably difficult for someone like me who writes on a whim, only when inspiration strikes. I'm an impulsive writer in that my characters develop as I write them, rather than developing them first and then writing. Honestly, I think this could be solved by simply writing an entire story or arc, then going back over it and tweaking the details to fit into the mold I want.

  Every chapter of VoA has been off the cuff and I fucked myself a little because of it, so I've learned to be more prudent in my future long story endeavors.

  How can we organize and keep track of multiple plot threads?

  A flow chart of some sort? Maybe a graph? That's the first thing that came to my mind, but I also really like flow charts and graphs, so it makes some semblance of sense. I'm imagining a vertical line for each character, with a timeline on the Y axis, and boxes along the lines of each character that represent an event, with each box's size relative to the time taken to complete each respective event. Horizontal lines could be used to represent intersecting plot points by connecting characters' vertical lines. That way it would still allow for representation of 2+ characters participating in the same plot section who may participate for different amounts of time. Ya feel me? Because this is just another off-the-cuff ramble on my part :P

  What can we do to ensure our plots are structured to satisfaction?
  Ask for outside eyes, assuming you're willing to give away your entire story to someone before it's written? Honestly, I can only recommend sleeping on it and, actually, not thinking about it for a day or two. Seeing something with fresh eyes and mind is a a huge boon to any writer (IMO), because it's important to see it as a new reader would see it. That, to me, seems like an excellent litmus test for how well the plot holds together.