Whats the best way to lay out a plot? Because i usually have the characters in my head, and i rough idea of what i want in the story, but no idea how to set it out so i can come up with a plot... HELP!
Best way to lay out a plot?
- Thread starter Dorian Grey
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Write an outline, or a synopsis for your own reference.
At times it can be incredibly difficult to take all of your ideas and turn them into a story. That's when you need to sit down and plan out what you want to do with your characters and your ideas. In fact, I'd say this is a huge aspect of the writing process.
Good luck!
At times it can be incredibly difficult to take all of your ideas and turn them into a story. That's when you need to sit down and plan out what you want to do with your characters and your ideas. In fact, I'd say this is a huge aspect of the writing process.
Good luck!
I couldn't agree more, but remember that your outline isn't written in stone so if your characters take you in a different direction from the one you planned, let them!
Agreed. A chapter by chapter outline should suffice. Lay down the prominent action and story sequences/elements for each chapter--maybe a paragraph or two. That way you're taking chunks of it at a time, rather than the entire overview at once.
Tri
Tri
Haha.
That's always the hardest part for me, too.
And yes, as Jill mentioned, don't let the outline be your master, per se. Wherever the characters go, follow them. Your story might change. Who knows? It's all a part of the gorgeous fun of writing
And if there is a part you can't work out yet, don't worry. Leave it as a very rough idea and get on with the rest. You'll be surprised how the story shapes itself in your mind while you're writing.
Well i started to have a plot, and then when i started writing some notes and things it started to change, so now i'm lost. So i figure if i set out a plot, then at least i have a base to work from...
Why not keep going--see what happens?
You could always scrap it and start out with plot, like you want to. I mean, you might get something you like even more than what you initially had!
You could always scrap it and start out with plot, like you want to. I mean, you might get something you like even more than what you initially had!
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You might try looking at The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing. Agent Evan Marshall wrote it because all the writing books talk about theory and don't really explain how to. It's a step-by-step guide. Though it might not work for all types of books or writers, you'll still get something out of it.
My novel started off with a few scenes and a vague direction. I drew up a spreadsheet and slotted those in then it gradually came to me what else should be happening and at what point. In the end the whole structure was built up this way in general terms and when I wrote a chapter it seemed to carry itself along and put flesh on the bones fairly easily.
I just start writing and as my characters do stuff, I get additional ideas. I write these ideas down on 3x5 cards. ("this has gotta happen sometime in the future" sort of stuff) I'm a terribly disorganized writer. I've never been able to outline at all. Most of it is just in my head. But it works for me.
Well ive started and ive got, it think, three chapters, maybe. But its not heading in the right direction, and theres a character that i hate having in there but shes been woven into the plot vaguely... So i think i will continue it and then write another plot out with the same characters and see what happens, thanx for the help btw
Strictly speaking you don't have to have the plot laid out. Especially for the first draft, I find that as long as I know what I'm going to write today, I'm fine. When I stop, my mind starts pondering what I'm going to write tommorow, so by the time I'm ready, it's there.
With my current WIP I thought I'd try the outline, just for once, and give it a go. Unfortunately, 30 odd K in, I've thrown it away because my MC just let it be known that he's started a ( completely unexpected) long slow slide into loonyville. So what I think will happen in the rest of the book has barely a passing resemblence to my nice neat outline. Of course that could all change too.
But that's me. The most fun I have writing is when things 'just happen' as you're typing. They are also ( in my stuff anyway) the best bits.
Find a way that works for you, outline, or not, or a bit of both and go for it.
With my current WIP I thought I'd try the outline, just for once, and give it a go. Unfortunately, 30 odd K in, I've thrown it away because my MC just let it be known that he's started a ( completely unexpected) long slow slide into loonyville. So what I think will happen in the rest of the book has barely a passing resemblence to my nice neat outline. Of course that could all change too.
But that's me. The most fun I have writing is when things 'just happen' as you're typing. They are also ( in my stuff anyway) the best bits.
Find a way that works for you, outline, or not, or a bit of both and go for it.
I can't see my desk for little scraps of paper. I really must sort them out....
The best way for me to figure out the plot is to finish writing the first draft and then look and see what the plot is.
But, then, I'm in a minority and believe that plots are highly overrated.
But, then, I'm in a minority and believe that plots are highly overrated.
Evan Marshall's software site said:
I already don't like it.
Dorian Grey said:
Basically there are two types of writer, and we have this
The bad news - there is no ultimate, best way. The good news - there is a best way for you. More bad news though - the only way to find out what your best way is, is to try them both.
I've found that the best way for me is to be a plantser [planner + pantser]. The big picture is planned - at the moment I'm mostly doing worldbuilding - but the individual scenes work better if I write them without micromanaging the detail.
Why not try just writing without a plan? You might like it.
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I'm somebody who doesn't plan my stories ahead, so...maybe I can offer an unbiased suggestion.
If you feel that you MUST at least figure out some sort of outline to get the story going in the right direction, why not try jotting down all the ideas you have, each on a separate piece of paper? Then spread them out and try to put them in order, which happens first and which happens last. Then, you can start filling in the blanks. It turns into an outline, which of course, you can change later if you dislike it.
As I said, I'm not an outlining type, but when I did write a few stories where I wanted to outline, this is the method I used and I thought it worked pretty well. It was certainly easier than just sitting down to make an outline. It was more organic. I could figure out where the ideas that I ALREADY had fit into it, and then I could see where there were holes that needed something more. If I were to just sit down and try to do an outline, start to finish, I'd never have any idea where to start.
After getting it all in order, what I did then was write up a short summary and description/title of each scene, many of them based off the original ideas that were put in order. Then I had a detailed summary of how the story was to go. I don't really do this nowadays as I prefer the element of surprise. But how it's done is up to you. Whatever works.
If you feel that you MUST at least figure out some sort of outline to get the story going in the right direction, why not try jotting down all the ideas you have, each on a separate piece of paper? Then spread them out and try to put them in order, which happens first and which happens last. Then, you can start filling in the blanks. It turns into an outline, which of course, you can change later if you dislike it.
As I said, I'm not an outlining type, but when I did write a few stories where I wanted to outline, this is the method I used and I thought it worked pretty well. It was certainly easier than just sitting down to make an outline. It was more organic. I could figure out where the ideas that I ALREADY had fit into it, and then I could see where there were holes that needed something more. If I were to just sit down and try to do an outline, start to finish, I'd never have any idea where to start.
After getting it all in order, what I did then was write up a short summary and description/title of each scene, many of them based off the original ideas that were put in order. Then I had a detailed summary of how the story was to go. I don't really do this nowadays as I prefer the element of surprise. But how it's done is up to you. Whatever works.
Well i usually have plenty of ideas, so i know where i want the story to start, but usually where it goes... I like the laying it out on paper thing, it does sound organic. Well now i just have to have a few more ideas and fit them together... Wow, that was actually relly helpful, i can actually see where my stuff is going now =)
I'm writing a crime thriller, leaning more toward a police procedural. I know that my MC will catch the bad guy in the end, but I don't know how. As I write, my MC reacts to clues and follows leads very similarly to how a real detective would investigate and solve a crime.
Had I tried to lay out these clues in an outline, I would have missed some and been bored to death. It is much more fun trying to solve the crime with my MC (even though I know who dunnit).
Had I tried to lay out these clues in an outline, I would have missed some and been bored to death. It is much more fun trying to solve the crime with my MC (even though I know who dunnit).
Yeh but i dnt know who's that bad guy! I think thats probably an integral part of the story, but i haven't quite got it... And besides, all that i know is that i want my MC to do certain stuff, but i dnt know why yet... Tiz puzzling..!
I start with the bad guy and the crime, then bring in my MC to solve it. It probably comes to me a little easier, since I've been involved with it in RL for years. If you don't have that advantage, take your experience from similar novels, see how other authors do it.
Well im planning on becoming a cop, so every little bit helps haha! Well i have a detective in mine too, but hes not the MC, and im still trying to work out where the characters best fit...
A lot of good advice here.
I would chime in and say that a lot of writers get into trouble when they try to write that golden first draft.
In my opinion, the first draft isn't really the story. It is the clay in which you use later to make the 'real' story.
For me, first draft is nothing better than a coherent brainstorming of ideas, characters, and stories that are thrown together in a semblance of a story. After that first draft, I then know 'better' what the real story is.
The second draft usually gets me about 90% there, but I almost always find a new perspective, twist, or 'something' that reveals itself as being key to the story.
Third draft is when I finally, and truly, hone in on the real story and everything else is just a matter of polishing and perfecting.
Now, this probably wouldn't work so well for novel writing as that takes a lot more time, but for short stories, I think it is the way to go.
Also, in terms of story telling. Find a few movies, books, or stories that are similar to what you are going to write.
Watch and read those stories, but don't do it as a reader, do it as a writer. Take notes, question everything, ask yourself "Why did the writer/director do that here instead of there, why did they wait to tell us now instead of later, etc. etc." This will help your storytelling ability which is key to plot and story progression.
anyways, good luck
Mel...
I would chime in and say that a lot of writers get into trouble when they try to write that golden first draft.
In my opinion, the first draft isn't really the story. It is the clay in which you use later to make the 'real' story.
For me, first draft is nothing better than a coherent brainstorming of ideas, characters, and stories that are thrown together in a semblance of a story. After that first draft, I then know 'better' what the real story is.
The second draft usually gets me about 90% there, but I almost always find a new perspective, twist, or 'something' that reveals itself as being key to the story.
Third draft is when I finally, and truly, hone in on the real story and everything else is just a matter of polishing and perfecting.
Now, this probably wouldn't work so well for novel writing as that takes a lot more time, but for short stories, I think it is the way to go.
Also, in terms of story telling. Find a few movies, books, or stories that are similar to what you are going to write.
Watch and read those stories, but don't do it as a reader, do it as a writer. Take notes, question everything, ask yourself "Why did the writer/director do that here instead of there, why did they wait to tell us now instead of later, etc. etc." This will help your storytelling ability which is key to plot and story progression.
anyways, good luck
Mel...
So basically i should watch and read spider man (its a superheroish story) and watch black adder (its got nothing to do with that, i just like it...) well thanks for the ideas, its all helping so far =D
I start off with this:
My MC's name is Kane. I used these questions to sort out the direction/plot of my WIP:
What is going on with Kane?
What does Kane Want?
What is he willing to do to get it?
What does he think he will never do to get it?
Why does he want it?
How does (here I list all the characters one by one) try to stop him? How does s/he try to help?
How does the environment hinder or help him?
At this moment, are you, as the author of this story, going to let Kane have what he wants? Will he be happy or pissed at you for it?
etc
What I have after isn't really the bones of the story, but a rough outline of where the bones should be. It gives me a needed boost of inspiration when I feel stuck, because writing begets writing!!
My MC's name is Kane. I used these questions to sort out the direction/plot of my WIP:
What is going on with Kane?
What does Kane Want?
What is he willing to do to get it?
What does he think he will never do to get it?
Why does he want it?
How does (here I list all the characters one by one) try to stop him? How does s/he try to help?
How does the environment hinder or help him?
At this moment, are you, as the author of this story, going to let Kane have what he wants? Will he be happy or pissed at you for it?
etc
What I have after isn't really the bones of the story, but a rough outline of where the bones should be. It gives me a needed boost of inspiration when I feel stuck, because writing begets writing!!
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