My plot splits more than cheese-string.

Instead of having all four threads revolve around the same characters, can you make a thread or two use different characters and become subplots to the main story? Pick one for the main storyline, then use the others as different examples of the theme.

Have you read the "Learn Writing with Uncle Jim" thread(s) yet? Sounds like his Celtic knotwork style of plotting might be helpful to you.

Good luck, and welcome to AW!

From the way you describe it, it sounds like you have a solid idea of the antag and the problem he's causing, but haven't picked your protag yet. I'd suggest picking whose story this is and how they have to thwart the mage to stop what he's doing. Someone he's messing with has a lot to lose by his actions, and will be willing to make great sacrifices to stop him. That'll be your protag and that'll help you find your story

Also keep in mind that you don't have to have the ending in mind to start writing (though it helps). Perhaps try writing one of the threads and see where it takes you.

For fun you might let your MC lead you the way they want to go. I know that might sound dumb, but many folks here will tell you that the folks you are writing about sometimes go the way or route they want to go. Don't fight it, give it a go. Might be interesting. Good luck.

So you've been doing backgrounds and outlines? I can't tell if you've been working on the book as well. If not, start writing the book. Usually, when you're writing, everything becomes more complex and fleshed out, and the way to resolve the plot may well become obvious as you go along.

Mileage may vary - everyone writes differently - but usually my plot complications resolve themselves as I write. If not, I write as far as I can and put the novel on the backburner while I write another. When I come back to the book after a year or so, I'll read it through and in doing so usually discover the resolution to the plot.

You don't write your story. Your inner creator does when you give into it. You aren't the god of your story that dictates every little detail and event. You're the hand of fate that deals a dose of good or bad luck in your characters' lives. If you don't force anything, you'll see the way to the best the story can be.

Danthia said:

From the way you describe it, it sounds like you have a solid idea of the antag and the problem he's causing, but haven't picked your protag yet. I'd suggest picking whose story this is and how they have to thwart the mage to stop what he's doing. Someone he's messing with has a lot to lose by his actions, and will be willing to make great sacrifices to stop him. That'll be your protag and that'll help you find your story

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Follow this advice.

third person said:

You don't write your story. Your inner creator does when you give into it. You aren't the god of your story that dictates every little detail and event. You're the hand of fate that deals a dose of good or bad luck in your characters' lives. If you don't force anything, you'll see the way to the best the story can be.

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Some of my best stories were more or less like this.

First, I'd internalize my characters, the world, the conflict, and try to make it as real to me as possible.

Then I'd set the stage, and just turn the characters loose and let them do their thing.

As they moved forward, I would constantly interject 'conflict' and then see how they'd get out of it.

One of the maxims that is really popular on AW is "chase your MC up a tree and set the tree on fire"

I keep that in the back of my mind as I write and i've found it to be incredibly helpful...

Another maxim on here that helps is, "A good story is interesting people, doing interesting things, in interesting ways"

Of course, we each have our own different styles.

But i've found this to be very effective.

Good luck

Mel...

Write a substantial amount of your story. The story will definitely mutate from what you'd originally planned.
Think about whether you're afraid of letting go something that is actually blocking the progression of your story. It could be a character or plot thread.

I agree with Hawkeye, though in my opinion, this mage probably is the protagonist. It looks like it's his story so far, but you really need to decide which of the characters' story it is. That will dictate a lot of the plot.

The four plots are interesting, but do any of them have an antagonist for the Mage?

You've figured out the evil? Mage's goals, method(s), desires, etc., and the consequences of his winning. Now figure out who wins if he loses, and what that person gains. That person is the Mage's antagonist. He may be your protagonist, but that's what you're missing.

If your plot revolves around the evil mage, and you find villains much more interesting, then think seriously about who the story is about. There is nothing wrong with having your antagonist also be your main character. Flesh HIM out. Figure out who is is. Often, when you have your main character the story resolves itself properly; what it seems like to me is that you have a main character you aren't attached to so you have an excuse for your villain. Remember, you're the writer-- you don't need to make excuses that way. Write about the character you find interesting.

Jabberwokky said:

(If I'm not being clear, I mean I've got the start to 4 different stories with the same characters, the same theme and the same general goal and yet none of them have a sensible ending).

I was wondering if anyone else was having this type of problem and if they found anyway to resolve it. I can't for the life of me combine them into a single storyline, and I'm too in love with all of them to simply scrap the ideas.

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It sounds like you have the making of a series but that may only add to your problem. If you can't find a resolution for any of them, splitting them up would be a nightmare! You may be able to write your way through to a resolution. Sometimes as you go along a resolution springs to mind and you can work toward that. Unfortunately the problem of writing with no goal in mind is that you can meander around aimlessly and ultimately not have a story that is publishable.

I think I'd brainstorm some possible and plausible endings first but that's just me. I always know my endings because I like to keep the goal clearly in mind. Characters have a way of wanting to do their own thing and go their own way and I like to let them -up to a point. If I had no idea where I was going I think I'd end up with a big mess of stuff I'd have to cut. And I hate starting over.

Welcome, Jabs.

It's important to get plot right -- to make it interesting and credible and surprising -- but there comes a point at which no amount of playing with plot will settle on how the story must proceed.

Under the plot there's what's happening to the characters psychologically, physically and socially. And that level is more subtle and more powerful than plot. It's like an iceberg, cruising through the seas of your characters' plans, with most of its mass under water. But icebergs can sink the biggest ships and in the same way, a key character undergoing a critical change at an important time will totally sweep all other plans aside.

So my suggestion: now that you have some idea of how events may unfold, look into the characters and how their jostling for advantage over one another is changing them. Look for the characters' worst days and best days, and think about how that will change what they want and how they'll go about getting it. Then come back and see how that may affect plot. Eventually I expect you'll settle on a story where the plot-line and the character changes all converge, so that there's no other way it could possibly go.

Hope that helps.

Write it and they will come... Write it and they will come....

I tend to be a seat of the pants type storyteller. I plot out very little, I get an idea for a story, think about the best opening position, and where I want to go. What I have found is that if I keep writing the story in my head, it changes more often than I change my underwear. (Lets not go there...)

Once I have the basic idea, I the writer step aside and let my characters tell me the story as it goes along. Subplots usually develop that I never foresaw. Some minor characters can take on a life of their own, or a Major characters is not what I though. Once I have it all finished, (first draft), then I go back looking for loop holes, unresolved issues, or characters that are not necessary. Many times, I have deleted whole scenes or chapters because they appealed to me the writer and my vanity, but really added nothing to the story. I save them for the future...

Still, I have friends who do the whole plotting, notes on index cards and sticky notes all over the place during and before they even start writing. I have others who write out of sequence and then weave all the scenes together. I think we all have different style, but in the end, its what works for you at any given time, and by the end of the finished product, all these plots, subplots and character issues have to be resolved. How you get there is immaterial...

If some of your characters are coming off vanilla...

Or if you are having a problem developing some characters try taking that character and write a short story that centers on them.

I find that this should help flush the character out.

Anyways, lots of good suggestions above,

good luck

Mel...

dgiharris said:

If some of your characters are coming off vanilla...

Or if you are having a problem developing some characters try taking that character and write a short story that centers on them.

I find that this should help flush the character out.

Anyways, lots of good suggestions above,

good luck

Mel...

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DG,

Excellent advice on writing scenario's for characters.

I have used this method many times to flesh out a character that is a little foggy to me. Sometimes, I have even used bit of the scene in the work itself, but 90% of the time, its just for me and not meant for the story. It does help...