| For many writers the thought of plotting one's | | | | scene or chapter will look like. Give a description |
| novel is abhorring. However, after writing and | | | | of what the area looks like and add a few details |
| selling your first novel, it will become almost | | | | here to add flavor. Next, give a reason as to why |
| necessary to give the publisher some form of | | | | this is happening now. Is it to introduce a |
| outline, and thus plot, for your next novel that | | | | character or characters? To further the plot? To |
| they would be interested in possibly publishing. | | | | give information to the reader that they will need |
| However, plotting your novel doesn't have to be | | | | soon? It is essential to realize why you have this |
| a chore and in fact it can be quite fun. This is | | | | plot point in your story. If you can't articulate |
| where you get to brainstorm all of the juicy ideas | | | | exactly why this plot point is here and the |
| that have been swimming around in your head. | | | | purpose for it, then you may want to either |
| Now is the time to finally be able to pull them all | | | | scrap this plot point or rework it until it makes |
| together in one cohesive story line. | | | | sense to you as to why it is in your novel. |
| Some would say that plotting one's novel would | | | | Continue to do this for the remainder of the plots |
| take all the creativity out of writing it. This isn't | | | | that you have developed. Work them into the |
| necessarily the case. Although writing and plotting | | | | outline for each chapter that you have in your |
| your novel is a very personal thing, and no two | | | | book. Look at how the sub plots mesh with the |
| writers go about this in the same fashion, you | | | | main story line. Do they run parallel to each other |
| may be pleasantly surprised by the way that you | | | | and never cross, or does the sub plot somehow |
| have a rope to hold onto while in the sea of | | | | intertwine with the rest of the story? And don't |
| composition, actually furthers your creativity. | | | | think you are limited to just one sub plot. Make as |
| So how do you plot your novel? | | | | many as you want, and need, to keep the action |
| One method that works well for plotting your | | | | going. Just don't forget to tie up your sub plots |
| novel is to brainstorm or mindmap. What this | | | | before you finish your novel. No loose ends please. |
| means is create a sentence of an idea then draw | | | | One final piece of advice that I like to use is a |
| a circle around it. From this circle start coming up | | | | story line. This helps me visualize the plots in my |
| with other ideas that stem from this first one. | | | | novel. I draw on a white board, although you can |
| Then draw a circle around the second idea for | | | | do this on paper as well. Draw a line. At the left |
| your plot. From here you can expand on the first | | | | hand side of the line is when the story starts and |
| circle or the second as you gain ideas for your | | | | the right hand side of the line is when the story |
| plot. You can expand as much as you want, the | | | | ends. Anything before the left hand side of the |
| idea here is that you will come up with many | | | | line is all back story and this is where I will write in |
| ideas to turn into plot points. They may be the | | | | a few sentences about the major back story of |
| main story line or they may turn into sub plots. | | | | my novel. |
| Keep along this path until you feel you've got | | | | I then will draw arcs somewhere along the line for |
| enough ideas to start building your plot. | | | | my sub plots. This may start at the same spot |
| Okay, you've got a bunch of great ideas for your | | | | as the beginning of the line on the left hand side- |
| plot. Now what? | | | | the same time the main story line starts, or it |
| You will want to start putting these ideas down in | | | | may start later along the line running to the right. |
| a logical manner. Start with plot points that will set | | | | These arcs will then be labeled with a name of |
| up the rest of the story, such as prologue ideas | | | | the sub plot that means something to me. That |
| that give a bit of back story and set up the plot | | | | way I can tell where my sub plots start and end |
| for the main character. | | | | within the story. |
| Take a sheet of paper and start with either the | | | | On the main story line, I will create hash marks |
| prologue or chapter one. In the first line, write | | | | that intersect the main story line at various points |
| down the plot point idea you have. For some | | | | along the line. This lets me know where in the |
| writers, writing just a sentence about the plot | | | | time line of the story that a major part of the |
| here is all that they need, while other writers | | | | story line is going to start or end. |
| have a more drawn out plot description for each | | | | You don't have to fear plotting out your novel |
| chapter. Try both ways and see which works | | | | any more than just getting the story down in the |
| best for you. | | | | first draft. And remember, while plotting your |
| An example of a drawn out plot would consist of | | | | novel may help you get the story down, don't be |
| what the plot point is, such as: The main | | | | ruled by your plot points and your outline. In the |
| character must decide whether to save the girl or | | | | first draft at least, if you come up with another |
| get away. At this point you have an idea of the | | | | great idea- go with it and adjust your outline |
| set up. Now you might want to list what the | | | | accordingly. |