Oh, I do like to make things complicated for myself -- especially when I'm plotting. It's taken me ages to understand story structure, and I still wouldn't say I have a firm grip on it all. But for me, one thing is key: the simpler the better.This month in Prospera Publishing's newsletter, I try to explain what works for me! And Mason Canyon makes a guest appearance, too, talking about her pet plot peeves. The newsletter's full of great advice - you can get yourself on the mailing list by clicking the button on the top right-hand corner.
Happy Monday, everyone!
What is it about plot that you think you don't have a firm grip on? And experienced diva like you? PS: re friday's post, I'm into the wine again, too, as it's half 7 and I'm sitting on my balcony daydreaming, or pre-eve dreaming about my future ... oh, and reading Gilead :o)
ReplyDeleteIs Athens two hours ahead of London? For some reasonn I thought it was one!
ReplyDeleteI just tend to get embroiled in the details and lose track of where I'm going! Argh!
Yeah two! hehe, yeah I know what you mean.
ReplyDeleteWhat frustrates me is getting half way through, then outlining the rest so as to know where I'm heading, but then as I start to write the latter half of the story, everything starts to change and I have to outline all over again!
Sometimes outlining seems pointless to me when this happens, but I suppose if I didn't I'd be completely lost!
I outline to try and avoid too many sticky plot issues. I don't say it helps completely, but it does tend to keep me away from the muddiest holes.
ReplyDeleteAs for wine...it's not even 10:00 am here on the west coast of Canada. Think I'll stick to coffee or tea for now!
Plotting... UGH! Don't ever get me started. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear other people share my pain!
ReplyDeleteJessica - I know! My outlines usually end up in the bin. Very quickly!
Elspeth - it's never too early for wine! One glass - come on. :)
Kim - I'm with you!
I've just realised - 10 chapters in - that my plot is all over the place aargh! A lesson in trying to squeeze too much in, I think. You're right, Talli - simplicity is key x
ReplyDeleteThat's great advice in your article. As you say, it's all about making it difficult for the character to achieve what they want! I like your outline idea a lot. I will make a note!
ReplyDeleteWell done on your article in Prospera Publishing's newsletter. It's always my plots that let me down. I get too carried away with my characters to notice where they're going... if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteI can identify with this losing the plot thing. I'm get distracted by my characters and then realize I've veered to far away from the plot. Thanks for the link to the newsletter, I'll go check that out!
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way. If I over analyze my plot before I write it, I either won't finish because I'll think it's crap or the writing becomes stale because I'm think too hard. So I leave the heavy plot work until the ms or short is finished!
ReplyDeleteGreat article. Plotting is always a bit of a pain to get right (such an understatement).
ReplyDeleteTalli! From someone else who also tends to over-complicate everything, THANK YOU for directing us to your article. It's something I think will definitely work for me. Since I'm editing now, it's perfect timing for me to straighten out my mess. Cyber hugs, chocolate, and flowers heading your way :)
ReplyDeleteSimple is good!
ReplyDeleteOh I think you plot much better than you think. BTW, you're right, it's never too early for a glass of wine.
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
I'm having issues with this right now and it's driving me crazy.
ReplyDeleteIt is leading me to a love/hate relationship with WiP #1.
Good luck I know you will work it out and thanks for the link.
I hate issues!!! I wish you luck though!
ReplyDeleteTalli,
ReplyDeleteI like your plotting method. Very practical!
Thanks for the link to this newsletter & I enjoyed reading all the articles. I also subscribed! :)
Simplicity is often the key! My mom always says less is more, which is so true in many ways.
ReplyDeleteYour article is terrific! I like the way you come up with three turning points as the skeleton of your plot. Great idea!
Great article, thanks for sharing. I think it helps to see that plot visually worked out on its own, in an outline or independent file. As writers, we can then "see" where it might need repairs, or where to take the story next as we move through the manuscript. A very necessary tool.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone - glad you've found the article helpful! Plotting is one if the things I found most difficult in writing. I need to know what I'm writing towards; if I don't, I get all confused! This 3-turning-point structure works for me!
ReplyDeleteAh, I need plotting advice right now! I'm going to see your newsletter piece...thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'll check out the newsletter.
ReplyDeleteHi!!
ReplyDeleteTry saying Pet Plot Peeves after a couple of glasses of el vino! :-)
But seriously!! Thanks for the links and especially your one about plotting. I like how you say think of the plot as a skeleton and see how it soon fills out!! Brilliant. Also the three turning points and especially you 'Don't just make a grocery list in your plotting - there are ebbs and flows'.
Lovely!!!!
Thank you!!!!
take care
x
plot is the what? I mean what is plot? It's like if you say orange blossom special fifty times in a row. Totally meaningless. Can you tell what I'm revising now? Can you? Can you? And if it isn't plot it's damn structure and then there's clarity. jayzuz.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this, Talli!! I'm going through edits right now and am having issues with plotting (blogged about it today, actually!!) so this helped a lot :) I'm so excited for your book!
ReplyDeleteI like that: Simpler the better.
ReplyDeleteI just found out from Lynn's blog that you're from Canada. Too funny. I'm from England but now live in Alberta. :D
Such a tease talking about the book but not talking about it...Yeah, I was hoping you'd let more slip! hahaha
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty much what I'm facing right now. Glad I'm not alone.
ReplyDeleteCD
Sounds like fun - thanks for the link :)
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy to have a simple plot line when you have many ideas in your mind. But it does help to narrow them down to what exactly you want to express. I usually write three sentences:
ReplyDeleteFirst one: Opening of the story or beginning the story.
Second one: Major event in the story maybe a catastrophic event that tells what the story is all about.
Third one: Conclusion or ending that i'd like to that story.
I then fill out the gaps in between. Hope this helps Talli :)
Thanks for the great advice! Plotting isn't one of my strong points, but I'm slowly getting the hang of it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the link! I'm having troubles plotting my current WiP, too, and this is helpful. :)
ReplyDeleteI loose the plot all the time, but sometimes I find a better one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great tips! I'm going to try those turning points you described; they make sense and I think they will help me. I usually think of the characters first; the plot is what always stumps me.
ReplyDeleteI don't like plotting either. I've also noticed that the novels I love have very little "plot"; they're totally character-based.
ReplyDeleteTalli, what a wise and well-written article! Definitely helpful! Thanks for sharing. Also, it's good to be back and catch up on your last few posts too. :)
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ReplyDeleteI still don't thinnk I understand story structure! I need help :)
ReplyDeleteThat was brilliant, Talli! Somehow I'd missed the 'simple underlying' piece for most of MY plotting, too... I mean I have TRIED to keep ramping up tension, but I like this version--makes a lot more sense than the one I can't put into words that I've been trying to use!
ReplyDeleteVery true Talli, always always keep it simple. Especially with short stories. Oh I wish I'd remember that.
ReplyDeleteplot occasionally gives me issues too. That and passive characters.
ReplyDeletesigh
Losing the plot is a regular occurrence with me. In more ways than one, I might add. Will check out that newsletter. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI don't like plotting, but then I haven't attempted a novel yet! For my short stories, I have an idea and then let it gestate in my head for a while. I start writing and somehow the middle and ending write themselves.
ReplyDeleteQuick question - where do you get the pictures you use for a lot of your posts? They're very good.
I LOVE this. Plotting kills me. I am plotting so hard at the moment that my brain aches and I am finding it hard to finish my -
ReplyDeleteWhere am I?