We often focus on plotting our stories – you know, everything that happens between our hero and heroine. The Inciting Incident. The Ds (Disappointments) or obstacles, that force them to face Ys in the Road and ask the question, “Which way do I go now?” over and over again. The Black Moment. And the long-awaited Happily-Ever-After, where our hero and heroine ride off into the sunset . . . Sorry. I lapsed into a cliché there, didn’t I? It’s vital to plot a strong main story, but while you’re doing that, remember to deepen your story too. How? Weave in an intriguing Layer or Subplot What: A story Layer and a Subplot are two different elements: A Layer adds depth to the plot and enhances the character’s struggle – and […]
Read the RestTag Archives | storycrafting
Unlock the Secret to Powerful Stories
This secret will change the way you craft stories. I’m not kidding. What I’m about to tell you will impact your writing all the way to the core and maybe even get you published. I’ve been judging a contest. I feel like I could cut and paste the same comments in each one. What does the hero/heroine want? What is the story question? What journey are they going on? Author’s inciting incident has nothing to do with the opening scene. What is his/her fears? Desire? Give a hint of these in the opening. What is the dark moment from her past? Show some sort of competence. Meaning, a superpower (what he/she does well.) Good at his/her job. Show confidence in the midst of failings and weaknesses. What is the black […]
Read the RestConversations: First Chapter Essentials
“I’m angry with you!” Sally said as she sat down. She was smiling, so I frowned. “You let me write the first chapter before I was ready.” “Oh, that,” I said. “Yes, I did, knowing you weren’t quite ready. But I knew you had so much story in you that if you didn’t get started you’d only get frustrated. I know why you weren’t ready, but you tell me.” “I didn’t really know what my character wanted, nor how to hint at his greatest fear in the first chapter, so I created exactly the wrong scene.” “You created the scene that helped you jump start your story. You were doing a lot of “Wax On, Wax Off” and getting ansty. So, I told you to simply let your character walk […]
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Conversations: Plotting Act 2
“I hope you brought your calculator,” I said to Sally as I slid into the chair at the coffee shop. Presidents Day meant no school, and I noticed her two children playing in the reading nook in the corner. “I didn’t realize I needed to know math to write a novel,” she said, but pulled out a notebook. “That may be a deal killer.” I laughed. “I know I said we’d talk about heroes and heroines this week, but I thought it might help to fill in the gaps of Act 2. See, last week we talked about storyflow, and I taught you how to put together what I call the bookends – Act 1 and Act 3. But these two acts comprise only 30-40% of your story. For example, for […]
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