Putting a plot together the quick and dirty way - Writers Forum

Anonymous · 05-31-2003, 12:59 PM

When I get an idea it's rarely in the form of a complete story from beginning to end. Most often I get an idea for a character, a scene or a simple situaton and think, "Hey that would make a great story". But then the idea factory shuts down and I'm stuck.

That's when I get out my copy of 20 Master Plots and How to Build Them by Ronald B. Tobias and I'm off again. The first thing I do is browse through this book and pick the master plot that most closely suits my story idea. From most idea's you'll have some notion of the type of story it will suit. Sometimes I pick a couple of different plot types and try them on to see which one suits me most.

Once I have a plot type that I like I then create a story based on the key elements of that plot. There is a handy checklist at the end of each plot type that makes it very easy to ensure you have all the right elements for creating a good plot.

I have to point out at this stage that this book is not a tool for creating stories cookie cutter style. It wont take the hard work out of plotting or stifle your creativity. What is does is ensure you have all the right elements in your plot for the type of story you want to create. The rest is entirely up to you.

Since I have been using this book I have found my stories to be well rounded and satsifying as far as plot is concerned. It also makes it a lot easier for me to develop a story into a complete plot quickly. Whereas I used to get stuck halfway through I am now able to see how each story would end and the reasons for that ending.

Also if I come up with a plot that I'm not happy with I usually find out by consulting this book that I am missing a vital element to make it work. Once I fix that then the story is a lot more appealing.

This book is invaluable to me and I would recommend it to anyone.

cdm · 05-31-2003, 01:07 PM

This should be in advertisements.

lunastar · 06-09-2003, 05:23 PM

Agreed.

DragonReborn · 07-07-2003, 05:23 PM

Sounds cheap. Yes, advertisements.

Anonymous · 07-11-2003, 01:07 PM

ahhh, the Wal-Mart of writing. Everything's mass-produced and cheap.