Plot & Structure

1. Master the LOCK system for solid plot foundations

"LOCK stands for Lead, Objective, Confrontation, and Knockout."

Lead character: Create a compelling protagonist that readers can connect with emotionally. This character should be well-developed, with clear motivations and flaws that make them relatable and interesting.

Objective: Give your lead character a crucial goal or desire that drives the story forward. This objective should be something that the character desperately wants or needs, and it must be important enough to sustain the entire plot.

Confrontation: Introduce strong opposition that prevents the lead from easily achieving their objective. This can come in the form of antagonists, obstacles, or internal conflicts. The confrontation creates tension and keeps readers engaged.

Knockout: Conclude your story with a satisfying and impactful ending that resolves the main conflict. This doesn't always mean a happy ending, but it should provide closure and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

2. Structure your novel with the three-act framework

"Simply put, structure is what assembles the parts of a story in a way that makes them accessible to readers."

Act I: Beginning

• Introduce the lead character and their ordinary world
• Present a disturbance or inciting incident
• Establish the story's tone and setting
• End with the first "doorway of no return" that propels the character into the main conflict

Act II: Middle

• Develop the main conflict through a series of escalating challenges
• Explore subplots and deepen character relationships
• Raise the stakes and increase tension
• Conclude with the second "doorway of no return" that leads to the climax

Act III: End

• Build to the climax where the main conflict is resolved
• Tie up loose ends and subplots
• Provide a sense of resolution or change for the lead character
• Leave the reader with a lasting emotional impact

3. Generate plot ideas through brainstorming and exploration

"You need to come up with hundreds of ideas, toss out the ones that don't grab you, and then nurture and develop what's left."

Brainstorming techniques:

• What-if scenarios: Ask "what if" questions to explore unexpected plot twists
• Title inspiration: Create intriguing titles and build stories around them
• Personal experiences: Draw from your own life or observations for authentic ideas
• Research: Explore new topics or fields to spark fresh concepts
• Freewriting: Write without censoring to uncover subconscious ideas

Idea development:

• Combine multiple concepts for unique storylines
• Explore different genres or flip genre conventions
• Predict trends or explore current issues in a fictional context
• Use symbolic objects or recurring motifs to add depth

Nurture promising ideas by writing a hook, line, and sinker for each. The hook is the big idea that grabs attention, the line is a brief summary, and the sinker addresses potential weaknesses or unique elements. This process helps you evaluate and strengthen your concepts before committing to a full plot.

4. Craft compelling beginnings to hook readers

"First impressions are tough to shake. Make a bad one, and you have to work twice as hard and twice as long to get back to square one."

Opening strategies:

• Start with action or dialogue to immediately engage the reader
• Introduce a character in a vivid, memorable way
• Present a disturbance or change to the status quo
• Use a provocative statement or question to pique curiosity
• Establish a unique voice or perspective

Avoid common pitfalls:

• Lengthy descriptions or background information
• Passive or static scenes without conflict
• Clichéd openings (e.g., character waking up, weather descriptions)
• Information dumps that overwhelm the reader

Focus on creating a sense of immediacy and intrigue in your opening pages. Give readers a reason to care about your characters and their situation quickly. Introduce the story's central conflict or question early to provide a clear direction for the narrative.

5. Maintain tension and raise stakes in the middle

"Stretching the tension and raising the stakes."

Tension-building techniques:

• Create obstacles that prevent the protagonist from reaching their goal
• Introduce time constraints or deadlines
• Reveal new information that complicates the situation
• Develop conflicts between characters, even allies
• Use foreshadowing to create a sense of impending danger

Raising stakes:

• Increase the personal cost of failure for the protagonist
• Expand the consequences of the conflict to affect more people
• Introduce higher levels of physical, emotional, or psychological danger
• Reveal hidden connections between characters or plot elements
• Raise moral or ethical dilemmas that force difficult choices

Alternate between moments of high tension and brief respites to create a rhythm that keeps readers engaged. Use subplots to add complexity and provide additional sources of conflict. Continuously escalate the challenges your characters face to maintain reader interest throughout the middle of your story.

6. Deliver knockout endings for lasting impact

"A great ending does two things above all else: First, it feels perfect for the kind of novel it is appended to. Second, it surprises the reader."

Elements of a strong ending:

• Resolve the main conflict in a satisfying way
• Provide emotional closure for the main characters
• Tie up loose ends and address unanswered questions
• Deliver a final twist or revelation that adds depth
• Leave readers with a lasting emotional impact

Types of endings:

• Positive: The protagonist achieves their goal
• Negative: The protagonist fails or faces a tragic outcome
• Ambiguous: The outcome is left open to interpretation
• Twist: An unexpected revelation changes the meaning of the story
• Circular: The ending echoes or returns to the beginning in some way

Consider adding an "Ah" moment that provides emotional resolution for the characters, and an "Uh-oh" element that leaves readers with a sense of lingering intrigue or foreboding. Avoid rushed endings by taking time to fully develop the climax and resolution. Experiment with different ending possibilities to find the one that best serves your story and leaves the strongest impression on readers.

7. Create vivid scenes as building blocks of your plot

"Scenes are what we use to illustrate and dramatize those disturbances. Scenes are the essential building blocks of plot. And a plot is only as strong as its weakest block."

Scene essentials:

• Hook: Grab the reader's attention from the opening line
• Intensity: Maintain tension through conflict or internal struggle
• Prompt: End with a reason for the reader to continue to the next scene

Scene structure:

• Action: Characters pursuing their objectives
• Reaction: Characters processing events and making decisions
• Setup: Providing necessary context or background information
• Deepening: Exploring character motivations or relationships

Use the "Intensity Scale" to gauge the emotional impact of each scene, ranging from 0 (no intensity) to 10 (maximum intensity). Aim to vary the intensity levels throughout your story, with most scenes falling between 3 and 8. Show more in high-intensity scenes and tell more in low-intensity scenes to create a balanced rhythm.

• Incorporate sensory details to make scenes vivid
• Use dialogue to reveal character and advance the plot
• Balance action with moments of introspection or reflection
• Ensure each scene serves a purpose in advancing the overall story

8. Develop complex plots through subplots and character arcs

"What makes a plot truly memorable is not all of the action, but what the action does to the character."

Subplot integration:

• Thematic subplots that explore the story's central ideas
• Relationship subplots that deepen character connections
• Parallel plots that interweave multiple storylines
• Mystery subplots that add intrigue and complexity

Character arc development:

• Establish the character's starting point and internal conflicts
• Create challenges that force the character to confront their flaws
• Show gradual change through the character's choices and actions
• Culminate in a moment of realization or transformation

Use symbols and motifs to add depth and connect different plot elements. Ensure that subplots and character arcs support and enhance the main plot rather than detracting from it. Consider how each subplot contributes to the overall theme or message of your story.

• Map out character arcs alongside plot points to ensure alignment
• Use subplots to explore different facets of your theme
• Create connections between subplots to add complexity
• Ensure that character growth feels organic and earned

9. Choose the right plotting system for your writing style

"Any method will work so long as it is your method."

Plotting approaches:

• Outline (OP): Detailed planning before writing
• No Outline (NOP): Discovery writing or "pantsing"
• Hybrid: Combining elements of both approaches

OP techniques:

• Index card system for organizing scenes
• Narrative outline or treatment
• Three-act structure breakdown
• Character and plot grid

NOP techniques:

• Daily writing quota to maintain momentum
• Regular plot journaling to track progress
• Periodic story evaluation using the LOCK system
• Flexibility to follow unexpected story developments

Choose a system that aligns with your natural writing style and preferences. Experiment with different approaches to find what works best for you. Remember that even within a chosen system, flexibility is key – be open to adjusting your approach as your story develops.

• Set clear writing goals regardless of your plotting approach
• Regularly evaluate your progress and adjust as needed
• Use plotting tools to overcome writer's block or story challenges
• Be willing to revise your plotting method for different projects

10. Revise and refine your plot for maximum impact

"Great writing is a lot of work, but that being said, I don't know of any more satisfying labor."

Revision strategies:

• Let your first draft cool before revising
• Read through the entire manuscript to get a big-picture view
• Identify and address major plot issues first
• Refine character arcs and motivations
• Tighten pacing and eliminate unnecessary scenes

Common plot problems and solutions:

• Flat scenes: Increase conflict or tension
• Mishandled flashbacks: Ensure they serve a clear purpose
• Tangents: Evaluate relevance to the main plot
• Sagging middle: Raise stakes or introduce new complications
• Rushed endings: Take time to fully develop the resolution

Use beta readers or critique partners to get fresh perspectives on your plot. Be willing to make significant changes if they improve the overall story. Focus on enhancing the emotional impact of key scenes and ensuring that your plot delivers on the promises made to readers at the beginning of the story.

• Create a revision plan with specific goals and deadlines
• Use the LOCK system to evaluate the strength of your plot
• Consider alternative plot directions or twists
• Polish dialogue and description to enhance key scenes
• Ensure consistency in character motivations and plot logic

Last updated: November 19, 2024