plot stuff

A fellow Redditor was asking for advice about writing a plot, as opposed to just building a world. She admitted she really didn’t know what a plot was. Is it just a series of events?

Here’s what I think happens in a plot. Those of you who’ve read my post What’s In the Arc? will recognize these waypoints.

First, readers get a little comfy in the story world. But then… something changes. Either a physical event occurs, or new information comes to light. However it happens, the resulting situation is more interesting than before— usually because it makes the main character uncomfortable, and forces them to try and fix it.

Next, and ideally because our character tried to fix it, the situation gets worse. Other characters get involved. The things they want run up against the things the main character wants, and everything gets... complicated. Emotions start to rise. It begins to spiral out of control. Meanwhile the story world is becoming deeper, richer and more entertaining— as each new thing happens, readers love the place more and more (or hate it more and more, if they’re supposed to).

When the tension is wound as tight as it can get, the main character reaches some kind of edge. This is it! Damn! If something doesn’t resolve NOW there will be... what? I’ll tell you what. An unpleasant feeling for the readers, that’s what! It doesn’t have to be the end of the Universe, but it’s something readers DO NOT WANT, because they’re invested in the whole thing by now and then

Oh!

Really?

AHH!

It all pays off.

Maybe it’s happy. Maybe it’s tragic. But it’s just what readers didn’t even realize they wanted. (Bonus if I can make them wonder: what next?)