Writer’s Resource – Plot and Structure

James Scott Bell’s Plot & Structure

One of my resources for writers is James Scott Bell’s Plot and Structure. I read some of this book as part of my online writers classes. It’s very good, and covers a lot.

What I like about this book is that he has it laid out very well, and there graphs, tips, quotes, and at the end of each chapter is a set of writing exercises. That’s what makes this book practical. In his Introduction, Bell has six tips which explain what it takes to learn to plot. (from pages 3 – 5) In later posts at later times, we’ll skim through and see what Bell has to offer – or – you can get the book and read it yourself. I’m just going give you a taste of them.

Today’s Recommended Resource: James Scott Bell’s Plot and Structure. Everything you need to know about plotting out a masterpiece can be gotten from this book.

Example of an Exercise: “Go over the opening chapter of your work in progress (or write one now). What techniques will you use to grab the reader from the very first paragraph?”

Here are the six tips explaining how to learn to plot.

1. Get motivated –  Earlier he had talked about “The Big Lie” (that writing can’t be taught), so his motivation was to overcome The Big Lie and get started. He bought himself something visual – a coffee cup that said “Writer” on it.
2. Try stuff – Put it down on paper, leave it, go back to it, and see if you still like it. I’ve done this many times. Sometimes you like it more, sometimes, you don’t. Change it up.
3. Stay loose – Relax. Don’t write when you’re tense, unless you want that tension to come through in your writing.
4. “First get it written, then get it right.” – Many want to write and edit as they go, kind of like McDonald’s cleaning theory (clean as you go). It only works for McDonald’s (and it worked for Smith Organic Chocolates, too).
5. Set a quota – I set general word quotas when I was writing Meghan’s Choice. That does help with the discipline of writing, because it is a discipline. Bell says to be kind to yourself. If you don’t hit your quota in a day, don’t beat yourself up about it.
6. Don’t give up – I’ve heard this many, many times. Whenever you get another rejection (which I did last Friday), I’m always tempted to just give it up. So I might even say it, but I don’t mean it. Because here I am. I set a goal to three times in a week. I’m doing it, and you’re reading. I thank you.

PLOT

Plot is the “what happens” in a book. I buy fiction books based solely on plots I think will be intriguing. I have certain plot types I like more than others. Characters – we’ll get to them another day. Bell uses what he calls the “LOCK” system for plotting.

L is for Lead. There must be a lead character. Somebody for something to happen to. And we need to care about them. How to do that is another lesson.

O is for Objective. What does the lead character want? Will they get it or take something away from someone else?

C is for Confrontation. I talked about this a little bit in the conflict post a week or so ago. Bell says, “Opposition  from characters and outside forces brings your story fully to life.”

K is for Knockout. Like boxing fans want to see a knockout, so do readers. The ending needs to pulverize the opposition, and give readers a slam-bang ending. “…Take your lead (character) through the journey toward her objective, and then send the opposition to the mat.”

Those are the tips for the day.