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Sep 1, 2021 · Below, you’ll see how story structure, story ideas, and backstory can all inform a good plot. Follow this guide to sharpen your creative writing skills and get better at crafting a good story plot.
- Overview
- Outlining, Structure, & Worldbuilding
- Creating Unique Characters
- Adding Conflict & Style
- Plot Help
Plotting a narrative can be one of the most rewarding tasks for writers…but where do you begin? A good plot is well-structured, and bursting with conflict and character. In this article, we’ll offer you an expert guide on how to craft all three to make your story engaging from beginning to end. Whether it’s a novel, a script, or a short story, by the time you’re done reading, you’ll have plenty of tools to make your tale pop.
This article is based on an interview with our author and developmental editor, Lydia Stevens.
Check out the full interview here.
Begin plotting your story by writing down concepts you find interesting. These initial ideas can be detailed (two opposing samurai falling in love) or simple (a story about grief).
A good plot requires a relatable protagonist that reacts to situations organically. The best way to create a dynamic character is to give them clear goals and flaws.
Conflict adds tension to your plot. Place your characters in situations where they struggle and increase the difficulty as your story progresses.
Start with a simple, compelling premise and build from there.
by finding a concept you think is engaging. It can be big (dinosaurs destroying an island like in
) or small (men having a long talk about justice like in
Brainstorm your potential concepts by writing out ideas as they come to you. They can be in long sentences, loose words, or entire paragraphs. Just get them on the page; you’ll build and polish these concepts later.
Consider getting a notepad. The act of writing by hand can get your ideas flowing more freely.
You can find inspiration for concepts in books, music, paintings, or even people.
Set up your story’s characters with clear goals and motivations.
A good plot requires an interesting character to react organically. The more the audience feels like your character is behaving realistically, the more natural and engaging the story will be. The best way to create a dynamic character is to give them clear wants that suit their world and the tone of your story. Ask yourself the following questions to determine your character’s goals:
Does your character like attention or avoid it?
How big of a role does fear play in their day-to-day activities?
Does your character think they’re intelligent or dumb? How would they define these words?
Does your character prefer to leap into action or stay back and think?
Put your characters in story situations that invite conflict and difficulty.
Conflict is the struggle your characters must go through to create a satisfying plot. The harder you can make life for your main character throughout the story, the more engaged your audience will be. It can help to work backward. Think of your character’s worst nightmare. Then, slowly create a chain of events that sends them hurtling in that direction.
For example, if your character hates confrontation, find story beats that force them to debate and get into fights as often as possible. If your character is a control freak, strip them of power and force them to ask for help. Don’t be afraid to be mean to your characters! Relentlessness makes good storytelling.
Deepen your main plot with subplots.
How do I start writing a story?
If you want inspiration, look at some art or listen to music. This can surely help you develop settings, characters and dialogues. Getting in touch with yourself and going back to some childhood activities can also work.
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What are the qualities of a good plot?
Plot is a sequence of events in a story in which the main character is put into a challenging situation that forces them to make increasingly difficult choices, driving the story toward a climactic event and resolution.
Jul 6, 2021 · There are three elements to a good plot: challenge, conflict, and character. You can create them in any order; it’s really up to you and how you work. What matters is that you have all three—and give all three of them equal attention when you’re writing.
- Characters. Every story needs characters. Your protagonist is your main character, and they are the primary character interacting with the plot and the conflict.
- Setting. Your story must take place somewhere. Setting is where and when the story takes place, the physical location and time period.. Some stories have only one setting, while others have several settings.
- Theme. Our next story element is theme. You can think of theme as the “why” behind the story. What is the big idea? Why did the author write the story, and what message are they trying to convey?
- Tone. Tone might be the most complicated of all the story elements. Tone is the overall feeling of your story. A mystery might be foreboding. A women’s literature story might feel nostalgic.
May 23, 2024 · Have you ever wondered what makes a story truly captivating? It’s the plot—the backbone of any great narrative. By understanding how plot works and mastering its key elements, you can craft compelling stories that keep readers hooked from beginning to end.
Sep 8, 2020 · In fiction, a plot is the cause and effect sequence of significant events that make up the story’s narrative. These events can include things like an inciting incident, mid-plot point, climax, and resolution. But there is so much more to plot than this boring definition. So, today we are going to talk about what plot is all about.
