Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Planning a Plot

It's a new year and I have big plans for it. For one thing, I want to finish the rough draft of FRIENDLY FIRE. I'm about 85% done, but I know there are many holes and discontinuities in the story. So, how to writers figure out what goes where?

Some writers outline an entire book before they begin writing. Others start writing at the beginning and go to the end. I can't do either of those. I did try to create a story board for the first Cherry Hill book early in the process, but quickly put it aside when the characters' development began to take the story in unforeseen paths. ; )

Now I've got nearly an entire story that needs to be trimmed and fluffed into shape. There are two books on my shelves that have come highly recommended when working on plots.
  • THE WRITER'S JOURNEY by Christopher Vogler
  • PLOT AND STRUCTURE by James Scott Bell
The subtitle of Vogler's book--Mythic Structure for Writers--is a window into plots based on Campbell's The Hero's Journey. Its multi-layered pattern is very good for fantasy and science fiction stories.

Bell's subtitle--Techniques and Exercises For Crafting a Plot that Grips Readers from Start to Finish--is also a clear indication of the plan Bell sets out. Based on the classic three-act story pattern, Bell shows various ways to plot a book to keep a reader in the story.

After working with both books, I think I can say, Bell's is a better fit for my stories, but I'll certainly keep Vogler's ideas in mind if I ever finish my science fiction novel that I've worked on for over twenty-five years.

What about you? Do you have a preferred reference on plot and structure?
Have you read either of these two books?
If you've read both, which do you prefer?

8 comments:

  1. I haven't read either. It's good to know they're out there, though I need to finish the other four craft books I've lined up and started first.

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    1. Ha! I have _seven_ craft books sitting here waiting for me to realize I need to read them now. ; ) I buy them then have to find the right time when I'm receptive to their message. Right now it's all about plot.

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  2. I haven't read either. Read about 20 others though and only 1 to be read that's Sol Stein's.

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    1. I haven't heard of Sol Stein's. I'll have to check it out. (Of course, I may have enough craft books already...NOT!) ; )

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  3. I've heard of both, but haven't read them. I have a full shelf of writing books I need to get through--hopefully I can read some of them this year!

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    1. I know what you mean, Lara. Sometimes we just can't stop writing to learn something that might make the writing easier...or at least better. ; )

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  4. I haven't read either. I probably should... I don't seem to follow conventional plot ebbs and flows very well. I just sort of write. One thing I try to do is end each chapter with a question or cliffhanger, though...

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    1. You need that to keep the reader turning the pages. I'm so far from having actual chapters that I'm ready to work on cliffhangers.

      Though, FF is starting to shape up into a good plot with a clear structure, so I won't complain. ; )

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