| Sometimes you'll get to a point in your novel | | | | 4. Hero wrestles with choices |
| when you don't know what comes next. We've all | | | | 5. Hero attempts to make a fresh start or |
| been in this situation, and it can be frustrating. This | | | | implement a new way new way of thinking |
| is the point when many aspiring authors will be | | | | 6. Hero is tested |
| tempted to quit, or just put it down for a while | | | | 7. Hero is tested again |
| until inspiration strikes. Don't allow yourself to stop. | | | | 8. Hero suffers a major setback |
| Inspiration is much more likely to strike you while | | | | 9. Hero recovers and improves |
| you are writing. It's best to work through the | | | | 10. Hero is on the brink of accomplishment |
| block. The easiest way to do that is to write with | | | | 11. Hero confronts the antagonist |
| the end in mind. Figure out how you want your | | | | 12. Hero succeeds |
| story to end, and work towards that. | | | | If you don't know quite know all of the specifics |
| The twelve-scene diagram is a tool that is very | | | | about how your story is going to end, that's fine. |
| helpful in determining what needs to happen next | | | | But if you have absolutely no idea what is going |
| in your story. The best part about it is that you | | | | to happen, maybe it's time to start thinking about |
| can do it yourself. Here's how it works. Get out a | | | | that. You don't have to stick with that ending, but |
| piece of paper and number it from one to twelve. | | | | at least it will get you writing in a certain direction. |
| Number one will be your opening scene. Number | | | | Sometimes characters surprise you and maybe |
| twelve will be your closing scene. All of the | | | | things will turn out differently than you anticipated. |
| numbers in between are what will get you from | | | | That's fine. Nothing is set in stone until your novel |
| point 1 to point 12. As you write, fill in the scenes | | | | is published and on the shelf at Barnes and Noble. |
| that you've already written. This will help you | | | | The point of this exercise is to get you writing |
| figure out what comes next. For most novels, | | | | towards something. This will help to advance your |
| you'll want to use something close to the following | | | | plot at a more exciting pace. It will also create a |
| format: | | | | sense of purpose and excitement in your writing. |
| 1. Hero at home living every day life | | | | Another reason to use this method? It allows you |
| 2. Hero's belief system changes due to some | | | | to throw in some foreshadowing, something you |
| outside influence | | | | wouldn't be able to do if you didn't know what |
| 3. Hero consults friends/family/mentor | | | | was going to happen. Your readers will love that. |