Category Archives: Plot
Novels In Three Acts . . . More Or Less
Some writing instructors insist on a particular story structure: there must be three acts and between each, a door of no return. Screenwriters use this formulaic structure, and many novelists have adapted it. But is this “beginning, middle, and end” framework a must? Continue reading
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Endings Matter Most
When I finished the last page, I wanted to toss the book as far as I could, as hard as I could. The protagonist who I had followed for the last four hundred pages died without accomplishing his goal. No … Continue reading
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Carefully Plotted Twists
The necessary foreshadowing to give a story a surprising twist must not exist in isolation. It needs to be reinforced along the way so readers don’t forget the vital piece of information. Continue reading
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After The Inciting Incident
Scenes must move the story forward and there must be tension on every page, but there’s still a third element that helps the writer craft what comes next. Each of the events must be connected causally. Continue reading
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Plot Weaving – Where To Start
The events of the plot need to be “causally connected.” In other words, one event needs to cause the next event, and in the end the character needs to be changed. Continue reading
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What Goes Into A Plot
A central character wants something intensely, goes after it despite opposition and, as a result of a struggle, comes to either win or lose. Continue reading
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The First Five Pages
Some time ago, I addressed the subject of starting a novel in a post by the extraordinarily original title “How To Start A Novel.” 
In that piece, I made the case for beginning a story with an engaging character who wants something and with a clearly defined antagonist who will be the chief cause of things that thwart the character from reaching his desired end.
Scarlet wants Ashley, who becomes engaged to Melanie (Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell). Captain Ahab wants revenge on the whale that took his leg, but Moby Dick continues to elude him (Moby Dick by Herman Melville). Grady wants to be loved, but Floyd, his father figure, ignores him, uses him, and betrays him (The Charlatan’s Boy by Jonathan Rogers). Continue reading
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How To Start A Novel
Over the past few years, I’ve discovered some excellent writers whose novels, from my perspective, would be stronger if the story structure were stronger. Many writers may believe that their story hangs on the plot sequence. Hence they work hard … Continue reading
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