Orient

I'm currently trying to write a story. I love my characters and I love what is happening to them but there is no real plot, just a series of small situations. I'm enjoying writing it however and I like the settings etc but I know that if ever anyone else was to read it they would wonder what the story was actually about, at the moment it reads more like a diary for my main character.

It's a shame because I really dont want to stop writing ut but it doesnt seem to be leading anywhere. Has anyone else experienced this?

JHB

Yes. I always get ideas in my head that I would like to fix into my stories. However, you should have a plot, characters and setting well planned out before you rush into writing it. Otherwise, you’re just writing in the dark.
I would recommend you sit down and write about the setting for a few days, get it all planned out. Write about that store down the street or the locations of the character’s houses. It might even help if you draw a map. After that, think of events that happen in these places to your characters, and write a summary. Then, you can begin on a rough draft.
And remember, take your time, this probably won’t spring up overnight.

-JHB

lazerbeak

No such thing!

Keep working at it though, it'll come.

mwd

Now that you've started, might as well keep going IMO. I think some sort of rhythm will emerge eventually that links some of these smaller events into an overarching theme. Once you get to the end you can go back and strengthen the links, remove things that just plain don't fit, add new bridges to fill the gaps, and so on.

Which isn't to say that planning it all out in advance wouldn't work either. Just, personally speaking, I prefer to dive in and see what happens. I like to be surprised.

ClancyBoy

Douglas Adams Hitchiker's Books?

Yes there's technically a plot of sorts, but its completely incidental.

__________________
"Mother Hitton's Littul Kittons wait for you down there. Little pets they are, little little little pets. Cute little things, they say. Don't you believe it. No man ever saw them and walked away alive. You won't either. That's the final dash, flash. That's the utter clobber, cobber." --Cordwainer Smith, Norstrillia.

Littlefifi

I don't consider myself an experienced enough writer to properly comment. All I can say is that I'm currently writing a novel, which as far as no particular direction. I started it while I had a burst or creativity the other night, and since then I've done the first chapter. Although I haven't planned the plot, I let the character's take me to where I see them going. I live with the characters, I see it playing out in my mind as if it's real and I'm there. I just watch what happens and write what I see happening. I just go with what I feel. Really if you're not happy with where the story is going you can always edit what you've written and so on. Sometimes it's helpful to ask other people where they see the story going or what they would want to happen.
Just some thoughts, hope it's some help!

__________________
'Some cannot loosen their own chains yet can nonetheless redeem their friends.' - Nietzsche

murder_of_crows

i dont think it has to have a plot to be good life is the plot there are plenty of storys that just flow out or are plotless one of the greatest tv shows was plotless i think characters mmake the plot just my opinion

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Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering. -ida scott taylor

Rambling Sage

sometimes it isnt always about the plot, but more about the way the characters change

like Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, what makes that book amazing is the development the characters go through, even though it has very little plot. Great book by the way

__________________
If one is lucky,
a solitary fantasy can totally transform
one million realities.

Rambling Sage

sometimes it isnt always about the plot, but more about the way the characters change

like Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, what makes that book amazing is the development the characters go through, even though it has very little plot. Great book by the way

__________________
If one is lucky,
a solitary fantasy can totally transform
one million realities.

Rambling Sage

sometimes it isnt always about the plot, but more about the way the characters change

like Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, what makes that book amazing is the development the characters go through, even though it has very little plot. Great book by the way

__________________
If one is lucky,
a solitary fantasy can totally transform
one million realities.

Rambling Sage

sometimes it isnt always about the plot, but more about the way the characters change

like Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, what makes that book amazing is the development the characters go through, even though it has very little plot. Great book by the way

__________________
If one is lucky,
a solitary fantasy can totally transform
one million realities.

Rambling Sage

sorry for the multiple posts
computer was messed up

__________________
If one is lucky,
a solitary fantasy can totally transform
one million realities.