Comments on: Special Fiction Writing Week: Creating a Plot

By: The secret to writing powerful words | Men With Pens

The secret to writing powerful words | Men With Pens — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:52:48 +0000

[...] there in non-fiction gigs. When I write a novel, anything goes. I make up the world and I decide the plot twists. I create the characters get to write about snarky people and crazy people and amazing people. I [...]

By: Fiction Writing Elements to Focus On | Writers Treasure

Fiction Writing Elements to Focus On | Writers Treasure — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:51:25 +0000

[...] Action is not plot. Plot is something different. Whether you want to write a detailed plot outline or just start your story, you must take care of plot. Without characters there is no story even if you have plot, and vice versa. Without plot there is no story even if you have the best characters in the world. Both are necessary. Omission of any one can seriously hinder your story. [...]

By: Fiction Writing Character Flaws | Men With Pens

Fiction Writing Character Flaws | Men With Pens — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:34:07 +0000

[...] How to create a believable character Day Two: How to create a setting for your story. Day Three: How to create plot Day Four: How to get serious and make money from fiction [...]

By: Solomon

Solomon — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:02:43 +0000

I love the series so much! I would like to try writing stories and fiction… it’s a dream. I’m curious to know more.
Thanks
.-= Solomon´s last blog ..HEADLINE or HEARTLINE? =-.

By: Adier_Twigg

Adier_Twigg — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:49:47 +0000

Aarrrrrgghh! I need more!

(And, apparently, an eyepatch…)

By: Tei - Men with Pens

Tei - Men with Pens — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:04:24 +0000

Rose -

I think that doesn’t go nearly far enough, because then you still have the problem of confusing plot and action. For example: Johnny went to the airport because he needed to get a flight to Ohio because his mother was dying.

That’s all causality, but it still doesn’t give us a conflict. Does Johnny want to go see his mother because she’s dying? Does he not want to? Is this his big goal or is this a stop along a bigger journey?

Conflict is far more important than causality, in my opinion. Causality is simply logic. How can anything happen without a reason? It can’t. But plot is the WHY of things happening, and it’s actually entirely possible to do a novel’s worth of causality without answering that question.
.-= Tei – Men with Pens´s last blog ..Special Fiction Writing Week: Creating a Plot =-.

By: Rose

Rose — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:33:55 +0000

I love how every one of these articles (so far) has gone back to the foundational aspect of character.

Something I’ve heard said is that the difference between having a plot and having a story is that in plot, you have causality. A story is “this happened, then this happened, then this happened.” Plot is “this happened because this happened because this happened.”

Is this a nitpicky distinction, d’ya think?

By: Nicole Brunet

Nicole Brunet — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:43:49 +0000

Hooray for Pride & Prejudice examples, and heaps of cheering for a day FULL of Lizzys!

Great post and perfect timing, for me at least. I’m at the NaNovel point where I need to be asking myself these exact questions, and I didn’t even KNOW it until I read this. Thanks, Tei!
.-= Nicole Brunet´s last blog ..NaNo: Day #1 =-.

By: James

James — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:21:36 +0000

@ Carole – I totally subscribe to the “all action, no plot” – probably why I work best in a group writing environment!

@ Mary – What?! Bump me off the stage? NEVER! *grabs spotlight* Mine! All mine!

@ Mary again – I actually have an answer to the question: I think many writers avoid putting their characters in conflict situations because they’re afraid of hurting their characters. Bad, bad. Hurt your characters, people! Lots!

@ Lizzy – It was a pretty good example to use in the “support the conclusion with your premises.” I had a few lightbulb moments myself

@ Suzannah – In critical thinking, a premise is a supporting point to the conclusion. In novel writing, it’s exactly the same. Doesn’t support the conclusion? Out it goes!

By: Carole

Carole — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:32:20 +0000

Excellent blog! I love your use of analogies to get your point across. Plot is something I constantly stress over.

Is it exciting enough to hold the readers’ attention? Does it have the requisite enough twists and turns?

By paring it down to the basic premise as outlined here, it becomes much easier to stay on track.